2021 Volvo XC40 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other XC40 years
- More complaints than other years 1st of 9 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volvo XC40. That is the most of any XC40 model year in the database (9 years). The most reported problem area is electrical system (14 complaints, 27%), typically at around 29,475 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 2 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 52owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 Volvo XC40 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 14 | 27% | 29,475 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 10 | 19% | — | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 8 | 15% | 18,004 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 7 | 13% | — | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 6 | 12% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 5 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 4 | 8% | 5,250 | — | — |
| Engine | 3 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 3 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 6% | 23,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 2% | 10,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% | 4,900 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 Volvo XC40 recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Back over prevention:software
Problem: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Carâs customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10333. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 16, 2026. This recall replaces previous NHTSA recall number 25V282. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V282 will need to have the new remedy performed.
Back over prevention:software
Problem: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10320.
Engine; structure:frame and members
Problem: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2021 XC40 BEV vehicles. A bolt that secures the cross-member bracket for the electrical motor in the engine compartment may be loose or missing.
Risk: A loose or missing bolt may decrease the structural protection of the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the cross-member bracket and install new bracket bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10128.
Seat belts:rear/other:retractor; seat belts:front:retractor
Problem: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery:management system/energy control module (bms/becm):software
Problem: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2022 XC40 Recharge vehicles. The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) microprocessor may reset and cause the high voltage system to disconnect.
Risk: A disconnected high voltage system can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will install a software update, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10078.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Vehicle is starting up in the middle of the night. Not plugged in. Not updating! Has occurred at least twice that I know of. Checking the app shows no remote start. No activity! I am concerned about fire danger! Checking the app the vehicle software has not been updated since June/26.
I own a 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge (pure electric). At 49,030 miles, while slowly driving in a parking lot, the vehicle suddenly began shuddering and jerking as if driving over rumble strips. A warning message appeared stating âPropulsion System Failureâ and indicated the vehicle would reduce…
The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that the liftgate was consistently making loud sounds while opening or closing. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The…
I was sitting in the car with my daughter with the car in park, but the engine was on. Suddenly the engine started revving, and I thought her foot hit the peddle but it wasn't the case, and she had to turn the car off. I then got into the driver's seat and started the car again, and it did the same…
The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The contact was able to pull into a nearby parking lot where the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the cause of the failure and…
Other Volvo XC40 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 XC40 | 11 | 2 |
| 2024 XC40 | 28 | 4 |
| 2023 XC40 | 47 | 4 |
| 2022 XC40 | 37 | 3 |
| 2021 | 52 | 5 |
| 2020 XC40 | 12 | 1 |
| 2019 XC40 | 30 | 4 |
| 2018 XC40 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 XC40 | 0 | 1 |
See all Volvo XC40 problems by year, every Volvo model, or the Volvo VIN decoder.
Similar Volvo models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volvo XC40?
Owners most often report electrical system, fuel/propulsion system, back over prevention problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 14 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Volvo XC40?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 Volvo XC40 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other XC40 model years, the 2021 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.