Last updated: 2026-05-15

Dodge Hornet vs Volvo XC40: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Dodge Hornet and the Volvo XC40? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Dodge Hornet currently leads with an average score of 59/100 compared to 58/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

Verdict

The Dodge Hornet is more reliable than the Volvo XC40, scoring 59/100 vs 58/100.

Key Differences

  1. 1Dodge Hornet has 213311.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
  2. 2Dodge Hornet has 2 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Dodge Hornet scores 1 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Dodge Hornet
0Volvo XC40
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Dodge Hornet vs Volvo XC40: Which Is More Reliable?

Dodge Hornet vs Volvo XC40 at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricDodge HornetVolvo XC40
Reliability Score59/10058/100
Years Tracked36
Total Recalls1315
Complaints per 10k Sold21.7213333.3
Year Wins11

What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Hornet and Volvo XC40?

Dodge Hornet vs Volvo XC40 common problem areas comparison
ComponentDodge HornetVolvo XC40
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNone40000High
UNKNOWN OR OTHERNone28333.3High
BACK OVER PREVENTIONNone23333.3High
SERVICE BRAKESNone21666.7High
POWER TRAINNone13333.3High
VISIBILITY/WIPERNone8333.3High
AIR BAGSNone6666.7High
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEMNone6666.7High
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLNone6666.7High
STRUCTURENone6666.7High
ENGINENone3333.3High
SEAT BELTSNone3333.3High
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCENone3333.3High
STEERINGNone3333.3High

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Dodge Hornet vs Volvo XC40 Reliability Compare by Year?

Dodge Hornet vs Volvo XC40 year-by-year reliability scores
YearDodge HornetVolvo XC40Edge
202454/1007R / 60C64/1003R / 14CVolvo XC40
202359/1004R / 25C48/1004R / 35CDodge Hornet

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Dodge Hornet scored 59/100 and the 2024 Volvo XC40 scored 64/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Dodge Hornet vs Volvo XC40: Common Questions

Is the Dodge Hornet more reliable than the Volvo XC40?
Based on our data, the Dodge Hornet is more reliable with an average score of 59/100 compared to 58/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Dodge Hornet or the Volvo XC40?
The Volvo XC40 has more recalls (15) compared to the Dodge Hornet (13). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Hornet or the Volvo XC40?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Dodge Hornet has a lower complaint rate at 21.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 213333.3 for the Volvo XC40. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Decided between Dodge Hornet and Volvo XC40? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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