2021 Volvo XC40: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2021 / volvo / xc40
known issues	7 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-21)
complaints	none on file
recalls	5
investigations	0
fars	0 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Propulsion system failure and complete loss of drive powerFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11 complaints2021-10 → 2026-07xc40-2021-propulsion-system-failure

11673958 The dashboard flashed the message " Stop safely The vehicle will stop Propulsion system failure." I cut the lane and stopped my car on the Highway 99 shoulder. Just right, my car stopped on the Highway shoulder; it disabled itself and couldn't move at all. The gear shift can't…
11748171 A warning message appeared stating “Propulsion System Failure” and indicated the vehicle would reduce speed. The vehicle lost propulsion and came to a stop. After stopping, the vehicle would not re-enter Drive or Reverse and could not be driven
11589423 In approximately May of 2023, my vehicle experienced "propulsion system failure" per a dash board light, and would not drive. I had it towed to Volvo and they told me that it was a known defect that required a software upgrade. They upgraded the software. In May of 2024, the…
11542720 An abrupt warning appeared on my vehicle, stating that there was a propulsion system failure. A turtle light then pulled up, warning that the vehicle was slowing down. Confused by these alerts, I pulled into a parking spot to shut the vehicle off and back on

12V battery and complete electrical power loss while drivingELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN9 complaints2021-05 → 2025-01xc40-2021-12v-battery-power-loss

11511344 My wife and I were driving the vehicle and began to stop in a let hand turn lane when it shuddered violently and stopped without any ability to move forward or in reverse - an emergency message appeared in the dash display indicating a 12V battery charging fault, and to…
11436734 A complete power failure. The main battery failed due to a software failure from The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). The entire car stopped working. No power to unlock the wheels. The car was dead towed on rollers under the wheels via flatbed truck
11634084 The 12-volt battery has failed on 5 occasions. Each time, I tried to unlock the vehicle after being away from it for a short period (e.g., 5-40 minutes). I had to use the manual key to unlock the vehicle, but the vehicle wouldn't start. I had the vehicle towed 4 times
11443939 Complete loss of all power. Vehicle has been in three times for this condition. Each time, the problem has recurred. This is the third complete power failure in three months

Unintended automatic emergency braking activationFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL7 complaints2021-06 → 2024-11xc40-2021-aeb-phantom-braking

11698511 multiple times my car has been automatically braking and suddenly accelerates nearly causing me to rear end the vehicle in front of me. Several times I have been traveling down the road straight ahead with the cruise control system enabled and the vehicle will suddenly…
11476749 We're experiencing constant phantom braking (sometimes multiple times within a day) with our vehicle on local roads as well as highways. Usually this occurs when we're approaching a vehicle in a turn lane, slowing down. Our blindspot sideview mirror lights light up when there is…
11560494 Rear collision warning system activated without reason. While stopped at a traffic light the RCWS activated and the emergency brake system engaged. This has been reported before to NHTSA. Vehicle was at the dealership for repairs or to identify the issue. Had to have it towed…
11671132 while slowly reversing out of my driveway at approximately 3–4 mph, the vehicle’s collision detection system errantly detected an imminent collision. Despite there being no obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, or objects in the vehicle’s path, the system abruptly engaged the…

Rearview camera unavailability and back-over prevention failureBACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA5 complaints2022-07 → 2025-09xc40-2021-rearview-camera-unavailable

11685234 The supposed software fix for the rearview camera not being available did not solve the problem. I’m still getting “Camera is temporarily unavailable.” When shifting into reverse. Vehicle was updated to software version 3.7 and this issue persists
11670489 The contact stated that while reversing, the back over prevention screen image malfunctioned and started flickering before displaying a blank screen. During the failure, the message "Camera Unavailable" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined
11475194 Backup camera fails intermittently at least a dozen times, error message "camera unavailable". Camera icon disappears from dash. Took to dealer. No code, no problem. Backed up and worked, did not understand intermittently?! Asked tech to report to Volvo, got push back. I advised…

Windshield cracking under minimal impactVISIBILITY/WIPER4 complaints2021-06 → 2023-03xc40-2021-windshield-cracking

11510262 front windshields crack from left or right pillar about 1/2 way up. I'm on my 3rd windshield. The forums for the XC40 are ALL having the same issue
11495845 Had a cracked windshield, Volvo replaced with OEM. Another pin head size rock chip resulted in another cracked windshield. Google search will reveal the Windshield on the XC40 Volvo crack with the lightest contact. The glass has a defect and the crack interferes with driver…
11422195 There appeared a crack on the passenger side of the car when making a turn onto a expressway ramp. There were no vehicles in front of me to kick up any road debris. I went to the Volvo dealer and the service manager dragged a ball point pen across the crack and said it was hit…

Unintended acceleration from stop positionVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4 complaints2021-08 → 2026-02xc40-2021-unintended-acceleration

11427734 On 8/3/21 I had an accident in my brand new 2021 xc40. I lightly tapped on the accelerator to close in a gap as I came to a stop at a red light. The vehicle jumped forward as though I floored the accelerator, though again, it was a slight tap. I rear-ended the car in front of me
11603647 Car can move forward automatically itself from stop position
11701801 When attempting to park the vehicle, at low speed, the vehicle performed an unintended acceleration leading the vehicle to crash

Power liftgate strut seizure and hinge malfunctionSTRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS3 complaints2024-06 → 2026-06xc40-2021-liftgate-strut-failure

11742916 The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that the liftgate was consistently making loud sounds while opening or closing. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. No further information was available. The manufacturer was not…
11594175 When using the power liftgate, in normal day to day use, the strut had seized and the lift gate was stuck open. As we were parked, we attempted multiple times and different ways to lower the lift gate by the buttons provided for their lift gate, the key fob and by manually…

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

none on file

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
21V109000	24/02/2021	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE	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.	A disconnected high voltage system can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.	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.
21V682000	01/09/2021	SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR	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."	An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.	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.
21V881000	12/11/2021	ENGINE	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.	A loose or missing bolt may decrease the structural protection of the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.	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.
25V282000	08/05/2025	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."	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.	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.
25V908000	23/12/2025	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."	A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.	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.

Investigations all years →

none listed

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	0	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2021 Volvo XC40 vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2021/volvo/xc40

@misc{wrenchpro_2021_volvo_xc40_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2021 Volvo XC40},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2021/volvo/xc40}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

hub · known-issues · methodology · license · research (interpretation)