AI DamageVolvo XC40: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Volvo XC40 across 9 model years: 14 owner complaints and 468 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 36% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 29% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 21% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 21% of all complaints
- 5 Backover prevention 21% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 7% of all complaints
- 7 Lane departure 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (36% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 420.
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
- Exterior lighting: 3 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 56.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
- Backover prevention: 3 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2019–2022
- electric 2021–2024
- 2 L · hybrid · turbo · 4 cyl 2023–2026
- automatic, 1-speed 2021–2024
- automatic, 8-speed 2019–2026
Drive: AWD, FWD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 14 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 420 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 1 | 15 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 56 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 28 |
| Backover prevention | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 1 | 38 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 359 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 62 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 49 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 45 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 42 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 30 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
On two separate occasions, brakes failed completely in snow. Vehicle did not appear to be hydroplaning, and anti-lock function did not kick-in despite the pedal being floored. Pumping had no effect either.
Randomly, the sound from the infotainment system stops working. This impacts the turn signal sound inside the car, the cross traffic alert sound, blind spot warning sounds, etc. This can be fixed by restarting the infotainment center, but this is not safe to do while driving.
Blindingly bright passenger-side map light came on for no reason, illuminating the car and startling the driver AND other nearby drivers (it was night). Light would not respond to touch-sensitive on/off control. Had to cycle dome lights (another distraction and even more light) to get light to turn off.
Repeated trips to service deny the activity, although it is discussed heavily on discussion boards and forums, particularly centering on recalls of the infotainment head unit (which the dealer also denied there was a recall despite notices and even carfax reports).
Passenger side map light activates and locks on for no reason. This can be particularly disruptive at night. The only way to switch off the light is by cycling the dome lights disruptive and dangerous at night. Light may still activate and lock on for no reason.
Brake system failed. I was NOT in one pedal mode. I have up to date software. After break system failed I was unable to put vehicle in park. Parking break could not be applied. Could not turn car off or lock doors. I was driving on interstate when it occurred. I got multiple warnings on display.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This is a Technical Journal
- This is a TJ - text, plus 2 PDF's - If there is a "Check Engine Light" lit in the DIM with one or a…
- This is a TJ - text, plus 2 PDF's - If there is a "Check Engine Light" lit in the DIM with one or a…
- This is a TJ - Text - plus 2 instruction documents (TJI's) - + 2 PDFS + how to find structure week + flow…
- This is a Technical Journal
- This is a TJ - Text plus 1 jpg - If the Check Engine Light is on and DTC ECM P052123 is stored, please…
- This is a TJ - Text plus 1 jpg - If the Check Engine Light is on and DTC ECM P052123 is stored, please…
- This is a TJ - Text - plus 2 instruction documents (TJI's) - + 2 PDFS + how to find structure week + flow…
- This is a TJ - Text plus two .mov attachments - If the customer is experiencing a frozen Sirius Radio…
- This is a Technical Journal
- This is a TJ Text only no attachments -- If the FLC2 is not responding when attempting to load software,…
- This is a TJ - Text plus two .mov attachments - If the customer is experiencing a frozen Sirius Radio…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.