2021 Volvo XC40 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
75/100
#3 most-complained of 9 XC40 years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2021 Volvo XC40 ranks 3rd worst out of 9 model years, with a Complaint Index of 75 and 52 complaints tied largely to electrical system faults, camera/collision-avoidance sensors, and fuel system problems. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this year, and the verdict is Avoid relative to other XC40 years.
- Complaints
- 52
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 23 city / 32 hwy
Top 2021 Volvo XC40 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System15 (29%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (25%)
- Fuel System10 (19%)
- Engine8 (15%)
- Other7 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (10%)
- Brakes4 (8%)
- Lane Departure3 (6%)
- Structure & Body3 (6%)
What owners report
- Battery Energy Control Module failures cause total power loss, disabling the car and requiring flatbed towing.
- Rear cameras and forward collision warning/automatic emergency braking sensors fail to detect objects or activate as designed, including while reversing near obstacles.
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration at low speed, in one case causing a rear-end crash and in another a parking-lot collision.
- Dashboard screens intermittently change color or go black while driving, hiding important vehicle information.
- Brakes seize or grind after the vehicle sits with wet brakes, with pad material breaking off and requiring repeated pad and rotor replacement.
2021 Volvo XC40 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V908000Dec 23, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras413,151 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Back over prevention:software
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: 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 Carâs 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.
- NHTSA 25V282000May 8, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras413,151 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Back over prevention:software
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 21V881000Nov 12, 2021Structure & Body4 vehicles
Structure:frame and members
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2021 XC40 BEV vehicles. A bolt that secures the cross-member bracket for the electrical motor in the engine compartment may be loose or missing.
Risk: A loose or missing bolt may decrease the structural protection of the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cross-member bracket and install new bracket bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10128.
2021 Volvo XC40 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,500
- 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.
2021 compared with other XC40 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Volvo XC40 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 XC40 has a Complaint Index of 75, the third-highest (worst) among the 9 model years with data, and carries an Avoid verdict relative to other XC40 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volvo XC40?
- NHTSA complaints point mainly to the Electrical System (29% of complaints), Collision Avoidance & Cameras (25%), Fuel System (19%), and Engine (15%).
- Does the 2021 Volvo XC40 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 XC40, covering the rearview camera display, a loose or missing cross-member bracket bolt, early seat belt retractor deactivation, and a Battery Energy Control Module software issue.
- At what mileage do 2021 XC40 problems tend to show up?
- The median mileage at failure across complaints is 7,625, though specific problem areas vary: Electrical System issues show up around 29,475 miles and Engine issues around 10,000 miles.
- How does the 2021 XC40 compare to other years?
- The 2021 XC40's Complaint Index of 75 is worse than 2019 (50), 2020 (25), and 2022 (63), but better than 2023 (100) and 2024 (88), both also rated Avoid.