What year Volvo XC40 should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA data, avoid the 2021, 2023, and 2024 XC40 model years, which have Complaint Index scores of 75, 100, and 88 — the highest among the 9 years covered.

Is the 2023 Volvo XC40 reliable?

The 2023 XC40 has the highest Complaint Index (100) of any XC40 year and ranks worst overall, with 45 complaints, 8 crashes, and 5 injuries reported to NHTSA, plus 4 recall campaigns.

Which Volvo XC40 model years are the safest choice based on complaints?

The 2020 and 2025 model years score lowest on the Complaint Index (25 and 38) and carry Good verdicts, making them the safer choices among the years covered.

What is the most common problem area across Volvo XC40 years?

Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues are the most reported problem across all XC40 years, accounting for 70 of 215 total complaints (33%), followed by Electrical System issues at 23%.

Does the Volvo XC40 have recalls for camera problems?

Yes. Multiple recall campaigns, including 25V908000 and 25V282000, address rearview camera image display issues across 2021-2025 XC40 model years.

Volvo XC40 Best and Worst Years (2017–2025)

Avoid the 2021, 2023, and 2024 Volvo XC40 model years, which carry the highest Complaint Index scores (75, 100, and 88) among the 9 years covered. The 2020 and 2025 model years score lowest (25 and 38) and are rated Good.

Avoid 2021 Avoid 2023 Avoid 2024

Model years: 9; 2017–2025
NHTSA complaints: 215
Recall campaigns: 13
Crashes reported: 24
Fires reported: 0
Top problem area: Collision Avoidance & Cameras

XC40 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Volvo XC40 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2017	No verdict	0	0	0	1	—	—	—
2018	No verdict	13	0	0	1	—	—	—
2019	Caution	50	30	4	4 !	Brakes	26.5	—
2020	Good	25	12	1	1	Electrical System	26	—
2021	Avoid	75	52	3	5	Electrical System	26	—
2022	Caution	63	37	2	3	Collision Avoidance & Cameras	26	—
2023	Avoid	100	45	8	4	Collision Avoidance & Cameras	27	—
2024	Avoid	88	28	5	4	Electrical System	98	—
2025	Good	38	11	1	2	Collision Avoidance & Cameras	26	—

XC40 years to avoid: what went wrong

2023 Volvo XC40 Index 100 · 45 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2023 XC40 has the highest Complaint Index in the lineup at 100, based on 45 complaints, and ranks worst overall. Collision Avoidance & Cameras problems make up 42% of complaints (median mileage 6,500), and Electrical System issues follow at 27% (median mileage 4,000). Owners reported brake pedal stiffening alongside ESC, brake, and ABS warning lights, and separate incidents of sudden acceleration while braking or parking. This year also recorded 8 crashes and 5 injuries, the highest of any year. Four recall campaigns apply, including a rearview camera defect and an e-Call diagnostic trouble code issue.

2023 collision avoidance & cameras problems →

2024 Volvo XC40 Index 88 · 28 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2024 XC40 shows a Complaint Index of 88, the second-worst score, from 28 complaints. Electrical System and Collision Avoidance & Cameras problems each account for 36% of complaints, with the camera-related issues showing a median failure mileage of 8,000. Owners described sudden acceleration events, rear camera proximity warnings failing to display correctly, and brakes that reportedly failed to respond during snowy conditions despite pedal pressure. This year recorded 5 crashes and 3 injuries. Three recall campaigns apply, covering rearview camera software, a brake mode advisory, and related fixes.

2021 Volvo XC40 Index 75 · 52 complaints · 5 recalls

NHTSA lists 52 complaints for the 2021 XC40, with a Complaint Index of 75, third-worst among the years covered. Electrical System problems lead at 29% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 29,475, followed by Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues (25%, median mileage 18,003.5). Owners reported sudden unintended acceleration events with no forward collision warning or automatic braking response, and one complaint described a vehicle stalling unexpectedly at 950 miles. Five recall campaigns apply to this year, including a rearview camera display issue and a loose or missing cross-member bracket bolt on XC40 BEV models.

2021 electrical system problems →

Most common Volvo XC40 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Collision Avoidance & Cameras70 (33%)
Electrical System50 (23%)
Other40 (19%)
Brakes32 (15%)
Engine30 (14%)
Fuel System15 (7%)
Transmission & Powertrain15 (7%)
Structure & Body12 (6%)
Lane Departure10 (5%)
Visibility & Wipers9 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Volvo XC40 should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA data, avoid the 2021, 2023, and 2024 XC40 model years, which have Complaint Index scores of 75, 100, and 88 — the highest among the 9 years covered.
Is the 2023 Volvo XC40 reliable?: The 2023 XC40 has the highest Complaint Index (100) of any XC40 year and ranks worst overall, with 45 complaints, 8 crashes, and 5 injuries reported to NHTSA, plus 4 recall campaigns.
Which Volvo XC40 model years are the safest choice based on complaints?: The 2020 and 2025 model years score lowest on the Complaint Index (25 and 38) and carry Good verdicts, making them the safer choices among the years covered.
What is the most common problem area across Volvo XC40 years?: Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues are the most reported problem across all XC40 years, accounting for 70 of 215 total complaints (33%), followed by Electrical System issues at 23%.
Does the Volvo XC40 have recalls for camera problems?: Yes. Multiple recall campaigns, including 25V908000 and 25V282000, address rearview camera image display issues across 2021-2025 XC40 model years.