Car Defect Radar
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Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 2 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

3 total · 2 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 25V908000 · Dec 2025

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Electrical system recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 21V109000 · Feb 2021

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Fixed over the airRecall 25V282000 · May 2025

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.
Status
Corrected automatically through an over-the-air software update.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

37 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
3

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

software faults 1sudden stalling 1unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2022 Volvo XC40. The contact stated the vehicle was in park, with no accelerator pedal or brake pedal being depressed when it experienced an unintended acceleration. As a result…
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The contact owns a 2022 Volvo XC40. The contact stated the vehicle was in park, with no accelerator pedal or brake pedal being depressed when it experienced an unintended acceleration. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a pole where it came to a stop. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. No warning lights were illuminated on the vehicle. The contact mentioned the auto braking did not engage along with the other equipped safety features. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the owner's residence where it remains. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, and a case was opened with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 33,710.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11563100 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
20

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 18sudden stalling 1
A recent report: After the recent software update to 5.1.17, the sound in the car ceases to work. None of the emergency sensors sound, the directional doesn’t make sound, the radio doesn’t work. You have to…
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After the recent software update to 5.1.17, the sound in the car ceases to work. None of the emergency sensors sound, the directional doesn’t make sound, the radio doesn’t work. You have to completely reset the entire electronics system, which then deletes certain app data and requires re-login. Volvo Support has not been helpful. Online forums report that this is an issue for many owners. It’s a major safety problem.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11760486 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
4

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

software faults 3unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: I am reporting a safety-related defect involving the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in my vehicle. The AEB system has repeatedly activated without any apparent reason, causing the vehicle…
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I am reporting a safety-related defect involving the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system in my vehicle. The AEB system has repeatedly activated without any apparent reason, causing the vehicle to brake suddenly when there are no obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, or road hazards present. These events have occurred under normal driving conditions. I have taken the vehicle to the dealership at least five times (possibly more) for this same issue. Each time, the dealer has stated that the vehicle is “operating as designed” or that they were unable to identify or correct the problem. Despite these visits, the unintended braking continues to occur. There have been passengers in the vehicle during these incidents who witnessed the sudden, unnecessary braking and can confirm that no hazard was present at the time. This defect creates a serious safety risk, as unexpected braking could easily result in a rear-end collision or loss of control. I am increasingly fearful that this issue will cause an accident. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA can investigate whether this defect affects other vehicles with the same system and take appropriate action to protect public safety.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11713966 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
3

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 1loss of steering 1
A recent report: While driving the power steering fails. This is after the dealer had installed a software fix for this problem

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11684162 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Worth reading
7

Most reports here involve other issues. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

other issues 7
A recent report: The front driver or passenger doors do not open 100% of the time when pulling on the handle. This behavior happens after the car has been unlocked. It happens when pulling at an angle that is…
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The front driver or passenger doors do not open 100% of the time when pulling on the handle. This behavior happens after the car has been unlocked. It happens when pulling at an angle that is slightly up and quick in motion. If you pull directly out, away from the car body, and slower it will open up without issue. I was able to reproduce the behavior at the dealership and was informed that Volvo doors don't open when you do that quick of a motion. Based off that response I do not believe the dealership inspected the door mechanism but instead left it as an accepted issue with the car. I fear if there were a situation when I needed to get into the car immediately it may require multiple pulls on the door handle to work properly.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11670584 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 37 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2021 and 2026, roughly 8 a year, which is about the same as the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2022 has 37 complaints on file, fewer than the 2021 (40) and fewer than the 2023 (44). Of the 7 model years of the Volvo XC40 we cover, the 2023 has the most (44). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.