2021 Volvo XC40 problems, complaints & recalls

2021 Volvo XC40 recalls (5)

• Recall 25V908000Dec 23, 2025413,151 vehicles
  BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

  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.

  Remedy: 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 Car’s 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.

• Recall 25V282000May 8, 2025413,151 vehicles
  BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 21V881000Nov 12, 20214 vehicles
  ENGINE · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 21V682000Sep 1, 202119,149 vehicles
  SEAT BELTS · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR · SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 21V109000Feb 24, 20212,278 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE

  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.

  Remedy: 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.

Recent 2021 Volvo XC40 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Sep 15, 2026NVOther / Unknown

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11764270 · source
2. Filed Jul 3, 2026CTElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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 “Propulsion System Failure” and indicated the vehicle would reduce speed. The vehicle lost propulsion and came to a stop. After stopping, the vehicle would not re-enter Drive or Reverse and could not be driven. It was stuck in position in the parking lot…

   NHTSA complaint #11748171 · source
3. Filed Jun 9, 202623,000 miMABody & Structure

   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 failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11742916 · source
4. Filed Feb 12, 2026CTAcceleration & Cruise Control

   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 thing. I turned the car off and had to Uber home.

   NHTSA complaint #11717691 · source
5. Filed Feb 5, 202610,000 miFLTowedEngine

   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 repaired the vehicle. The contact believed that the battery and drive train were repaired. Approximately 2 to 3 years later, while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle started…

   NHTSA complaint #11715748 · source
6. Filed Jan 2, 2026CAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The vehicle experienced a complete loss of propulsion, causing it to freeze and become unable to move. The first occurrence happened during the original factory warranty period and required towing to a dealership, but the root cause was not identified at that time. The same loss-of-propulsion failure has since recurred, rendering the vehicle inoperable. A dealership has now diagnosed a failure of an electric vehicle propulsion/inverter component. The vehicle is currently in…

   NHTSA complaint #11708396 · source
7. Filed Nov 27, 2025TXCrashFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   When attempting to park the vehicle, at low speed, the vehicle performed an unintended acceleration leading the vehicle to crash.

   NHTSA complaint #11701801 · source
8. Filed Nov 10, 2025IDDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Ever since I bought the vehicle new in 2021 I have had perpetual problems with the software and technology. The cruise control system has gone out completely, all electrical fails in the vehicle, apple car play regularly goes out. What is even more of a safety concern is multiple times my car has been automatically braking and suddenly accelerates nearly causing me to rear end the vehicle in front of me. Several times I have been traveling down the road straight ahead with…

   NHTSA complaint #11698511 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology