2019 Volvo XC40 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#5 most-complained of 9 XC40 years
The 2019 Volvo XC40 has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 5th worst out of 9 model years, with a 'Caution' verdict. It has 30 complaints, 4 recalls including one do-not-drive brake recall, and Brakes and Engine tied as top problem areas.
- Complaints
- 30
- Recalls
- 4
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 23 city / 32 hwy
Top 2019 Volvo XC40 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other7 (23%)
- Brakes6 (20%)
- Engine6 (20%)
- Airbags4 (13%)
- Structure & Body4 (13%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (10%)
- Seat Belts3 (10%)
- Electrical System2 (7%)
- Fuel System2 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (7%)
What owners report
- Vehicle entered 'safety mode' after a minor collision, cutting power and leaving the car stranded on a road for a couple of minutes before limp-home mode returned.
- Backup alarm and automatic backup braking failed to activate, resulting in a collision while reversing out of a driveway.
- Steering wheel and knee airbags deployed during a low-speed impact, with the knee airbag reportedly causing a serious lower leg injury.
- Vehicle accelerated unexpectedly while parking and crashed into a wall despite full brake pressure; automatic braking, seat belt pretensioner, and airbags did not activate.
- Pilot Assist steering feature drifted the vehicle into the opposite lane or disengaged suddenly without warning at various speeds.
- Engine stalled and restarted repeatedly at low mileage, with the check engine light returning after multiple dealer service visits and part replacements.
2019 Volvo XC40 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V144000Mar 12, 2020Collision Avoidance & Cameras121,605 vehicles
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.
Risk: If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29998.
- NHTSA 18V800000Nov 13, 2018Electrical System17,548 vehicles
Electrical system:software
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.
Risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
- NHTSA 18V554000Aug 22, 2018Brakes71 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2019 Volvo XC40 vehicles. The brake pedals may not have been correctly riveted, allowing the pedal to move out of position, possibly reducing braking performance.
Risk: Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo has notified owners advising them to stop driving their vehicle. Cars will be inspected on-site or towed to dealers and the brake pedals will be replaced as necessary, free of charge. Volvo began contacting their owners on August 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R59899.
2019 Volvo XC40 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,725
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other XC40 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Volvo XC40 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2019 XC40 has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 5th worst among 9 model years, earning a 'Caution' verdict relative to other XC40 years.
- What are the biggest problems with the 2019 Volvo XC40?
- Brakes and Engine each account for 20% of complaints, followed by Airbags and Structure & Body at 13% each. Brake issues had a median failure mileage of 1,268.5 miles.
- Does the 2019 Volvo XC40 have a brake recall?
- Yes. Recall 18V554000 covers brake pedals that may not have been correctly riveted, which could reduce braking performance; this is a do-not-drive recall.
- How many recalls does the 2019 Volvo XC40 have?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2019 XC40, covering Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Electrical System, Brakes, and Structure & Body, with one of them a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2019 XC40 compare to other years?
- The 2019 XC40's Complaint Index of 50 falls in the middle of the range; 2023 scores highest at 100 (Avoid) while 2017 scores lowest at 0.