2021 Volvo XC40
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 19 of 51 complaints (37%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 12 in 2020 to 51 in 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,300–3,000 | 2,300–3,100 | 2,400–3,100 | 2,400–3,100 | 2,850–3,000 | |
| Combined MPG | 26–27 | 25–27 | 25–26 | 25–26 | 26–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 23 / 31–33 | 22–23 / 30–33 | 22–23 / 30–32 | 22–23 / 30–32 | 23–24 / 30–32 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 331–340 | 331–352 | 340–359 | 340–359 | 330–345 | |
| Complaints filed | 30 | 12 | 51 | 37 | 43 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Volvo XC40 have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Volvo XC40?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 19 of 51 NHTSA complaints (37%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Volvo XC40 get?
EPA rates it 25–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Volvo XC40?
EPA estimates $2,400–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 23 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 340 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 22 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 359 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 85 MPGe | 72 MPGe | 79 MPGe | $950 | 0 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 19 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · Campaign 25V908000 · Dec 29, 2025
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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 Car’s 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · Campaign 25V282000 · May 1, 2025
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.
ENGINE; STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS · Campaign 21V881000 · Nov 12, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
SEAT BELTS; SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR; SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR · Campaign 21V682000 · Sep 2, 2021
Defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE · Campaign 21V109000 · Feb 25, 2021
Defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2022 XC40 Recharge vehicles. The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) microprocessor may reset and cause the high voltage system to disconnect.
Consequence: A disconnected high voltage system can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will install a software update, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10078.