2020 Volvo XC40 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
25/100
#7 most-complained of 9 XC40 years
The 2020 Volvo XC40 has a Complaint Index of 25, ranking 7th out of 9 model years, and NHTSA lists 12 complaints, 1 recall, and 1 crash — a Good year relative to other XC40 model years.
- Complaints
- 12
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22.5 city / 31.5 hwy
Top 2020 Volvo XC40 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System4 (33%)
- Brakes3 (25%)
- Engine3 (25%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (25%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (25%)
- Airbags1 (8%)
- Lane Departure1 (8%)
- Other1 (8%)
- Seat Belts1 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (8%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during a 35 mph collision, leaving the driver with neck, shoulder, back, and leg injuries.
- Front and rear brake rotors warped repeatedly, with owners reporting replacements at 15,000 miles and again at 24,500 miles.
- The automatic emergency braking system activated for no apparent reason, sometimes on turns or in parking lots, straining the brakes and risking a crash.
- The electrical system failed and cut power while driving, with the speedometer and infotainment screen going blank and the ESP warning light illuminating at 30,453 miles.
- Water intrusion through the panoramic moonroof drained into the floor and damaged electrical connections, causing wipers, turn signals, and high beams to fail during a rainstorm.
- A cracked cooling system triggered multiple related failures, with owners noting the overheating was confirmed by a dealer and observed by a fire department.
2020 Volvo XC40 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.
2020 Volvo XC40 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 31.5 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2020 compared with other XC40 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Volvo XC40 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 XC40 has a Complaint Index of 25, the second-lowest among the 9 model years with data, earning a Good verdict relative to other XC40 years.
- What problems does the 2020 Volvo XC40 have?
- NHTSA complaints for the 2020 XC40 center on the Electrical System (33% of complaints, median mileage 30,453), plus Brakes, Engine, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, and Transmission & Powertrain, each at 25%.
- Does the 2020 Volvo XC40 have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall (campaign 20V144000) covering a software/hardware incompatibility affecting the Automatic Emergency Braking system, remedied with an Active Safety Domain Master software update.
- Which XC40 model years should I avoid?
- Among the years with data, 2021, 2023, and 2024 carry Avoid verdicts with Complaint Index values of 75, 100, and 88, while 2020 sits much lower at 25.