Last updated: 2026-10-10
2021 Volvo XC40 Reliability Report
The 2021 Volvo XC40 has a mixed reliability record and trails other 2021 SUVs, mainly because owners report sudden power loss and no-restart shutdowns.
Recalls
3
Complaints
40
Complaint Rate
400000per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
N/A
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,300–$2,750
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
The weakest of the six scored XC40 years, with owner reports of sudden shutdowns that leave the car unable to restart, plus three recalls.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9)
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (4)
- POWER TRAIN (4)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2021 is year 4 of the First generation (XC40; 2018-present).
- Redesigned for the 2018 model year.
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- A refresh arrives in 2023.
- 1st generation XC40 (US).
What this means for buyers
Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.
2018: First generation (XC40; 2018-present) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2021: This Model Year
2021 is year 4 of the First generation (XC40; 2018-present).
2023: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2021 Volvo XC40?
Approach this year with caution. Its reliability standing is mixed, well below average among 2021 SUVs, and it is the weakest of the six scored XC40 model years. The 2020 looks better, with good reliability and far fewer owner complaints. On the plus side, the federal crash-test rating is 5 of 5 stars.
The serious complaints are about losing power. Owners describe the electrical system cutting out at stop lights, on highway exit ramps and while pulling out of parking lots, after which the car will not restart. Others get a "propulsion system failure" message and the car stops within seconds. Some cars shudder first, then die with the wheels locked, so they need a flatbed. Repeat failures after software updates come up often. One shutdown happened at about 58,000 miles. Rearview camera dropouts are also reported, including one at 36,000 miles.
Federal recall records list three recalls, covering engine and structure, seat belts, and the electrical system. Ask the seller for proof each was completed, plus repair records for any no-start or power loss. Look at a 2020 before you commit.
Compared to the 2023 Volvo XC40, which scored 2 points higher. See also the 2020 Volvo XC40 for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +5-star NHTSA crash rating
- +Well-established generation
- +Only 40 complaints reported
Cons
- −Below-average reliability score
- −Moderate recall count
- −Above-average complaint rate for SUV
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: All power cuts out, sometimes while the car is moving, and it then will not... (9 complaints)
Compare 2021 Volvo XC40 With
2021 BMW X1
Reliability: 75/100
2021 Audi Q3
Reliability: 74/100
2021 Lexus NX
Reliability: 82/100
2021 Mercedes-Benz GLC
Reliability: 68/100
2021 Cadillac XT4
Reliability: 71/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 3 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5)
Recall Overview
3
recalls on record
A moderate 3 recalls are on file for the 2021 Volvo XC40. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
400000
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 16.7
Safety Incidents
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2021 Volvo XC40 Recall Details
3 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Volvo XC40. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
ENGINE, STRUCTURE
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
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
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.
3 recalls and a score of 46 — check any 2021 Volvo XC40 before buying
With a below-average reliability score, a VIN check is especially important. Uncover hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that data alone can't show you.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2021 Volvo XC40 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 16.4%
Safety Technologies
Volvo XC40Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3Maintenance rating: 3 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
2021 Volvo XC40 Example Repair Prices
National average price ranges for common repairs. These are not model-year-specific failure predictions.
| Repair | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Engine Oil Light Diagnosis | $198 – $291 |
| Brake Master Cylinder Replacement | $1,392 – $1,544 |
| Cabin Air Filter Replacement | $113 – $142 |
| Oil Pressure Sensor Replacement | $175 – $224 |
| Timing Belt Replacement | $829 – $1,132 |
| Radiator Hose Replacement | $117 – $145 |
| Control Arm Replacement | $761 – $904 |
| Transfer Case Output Shaft Oil Seal Replacement | $411 – $596 |
| Wheel Hub Assembly Replacement | $650 – $750 |
| MAP Sensor Replacement | $197 – $226 |
Estimates based on national average repair costs. Actual costs may vary by location and shop.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
25–26 MPG
Fuel cost: $2,300–$2,750/yr
Fuel only
22–23 city / 30–32 hwy MPG
Electric
208 mi range
Fuel cost: $950/yr
Fuel only
42.808 kWh/100mi · 8 hrs @ 240V
Based on EPA fuel-cost estimates. Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2021 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XC40 FWD 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 23 | 32 | 26 | $2,300 |
| XC40 AWD 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 22 | 30 | 25 | $2,750 |
Electric trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | Range | kWh/100mi | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XC40 AWD BEV | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (A1) | 208 mi | 42.8 | $950 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Volvo XC40.
Ask for service records showing any propulsion system failure, total power loss, tows or related software updates.
Lock the car, walk away, then return and confirm it unlocks and starts normally on the first try.
Run the VIN through the federal recall database and confirm every open campaign has been completed.
Reverse several times and confirm the backup camera never flickers or shows "Camera Unavailable".
Drive in stop-and-go traffic and watch for false rear collision warnings or sudden automatic braking.
Inspect the windshield near both pillars for cracks and ask how many times it has been replaced.
On electric versions, plug in a charger and confirm the cable releases and charging status reads correctly.
Open and close the power liftgate several times and confirm it latches without sticking.
2021 Volvo XC40 Common Problems by Component
40 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9 complaintsAll power cuts out, sometimes while the car is moving, and it then will not restart. Reports describe sudden shutdowns at stop lights, on highway exit ramps and while pulling out of parking lots. Screens go black, doors will not unlock and seat belts stop working. Several owners describe repeated no-starts with a dead battery symbol, multiple tows, and dealers who cannot find a cause. One shutdown came at about 58,000 miles. Other reports cite an onboard charger failure that left an owner unable to charge, and a check engine light that returns after every reset.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5 complaintsSudden power loss follows a propulsion system failure warning in the most serious report here. The car slows itself, then loses all power within a minute or two. Other problems are scattered. The backup camera shows "camera unavailable," which also disables other rear safety systems. The center screen can lose climate, defrost and navigation controls, and a software update did not fix it. One windshield cracked on a car owned less than two months. A spare tire caused shuddering and traction warnings above 8 mph.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4 complaintsA "propulsion system failure" message appears and the car stops within seconds, sometimes in highway traffic, with little time to reach the shoulder. In some cases the shifter will not go into neutral, the wheels stay locked and the car cannot be locked. One owner had a second failure a year after a software update, and the dealer said failures continue even with updated software. On electric versions, the charging cable often will not release and the charging display is erratic. A dealer could not duplicate that problem.
POWER TRAIN (4 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
4 complaintsShuddering comes first, then the car stops and loses all power, unable to move forward or in reverse. Some owners see a 12-volt battery charging fault message warning that the car cannot be restarted. Repeat failures are common, with owners reporting two or three complete power losses within months, including after software updates. One repair was traced to the battery energy control module. The wheels stay locked, so the car has to be dragged onto a flatbed. Losing power while turning or merging creates a clear crash risk.
BACK OVER PREVENTION (3 complaints)
BACK OVER PREVENTION
3 complaintsWhile reversing, the rearview camera flickers, goes blank and shows "Camera Unavailable." Owners say the problem continues after the dealer's software update, including one failure at 36,000 miles. One report blames an underpowered infotainment chipset. In another report, the reverse automatic braking sensor did not work on a car delivered with 7 miles. When the camera drops out, the driver loses the rear view at the moment it matters most.
SERVICE BRAKES (3 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
3 complaintsAutomatic braking engages with nothing in the way. In one report the rear collision warning went off at a stop light and the emergency brake locked on, so the car had to be towed. In another, city safety braking stopped the car at 25 and 55 mph and tightened the seat belt. Software and module updates did not stop the repeat events. A separate report describes brakes seizing after the car sat wet, with a clunk and grinding, and pad material breaking off after two pad and rotor replacements.
VISIBILITY/WIPER (3 complaints)
VISIBILITY/WIPER
3 complaintsWindshield cracks appear without a clear impact. They often start low near the pillar on either side and run about halfway up. Owners report cracks on cars only a few months old and repeated replacements. One owner is on a third windshield. Dealers have blamed road debris, and owners dispute that. In a separate problem, the rearview mirror twists off its base during normal adjustment and is left dangling, where it blocks the forward view.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 complaintsSafety-relatedFrom a stop, the car creeps forward on its own. One report tied this to a crash with 1 injury. The other complaint describes no failure. It concerns a recall repair that was delayed because parts were not available, and both the dealer and the manufacturer confirmed the shortage. With only 2 complaints on file, no wider pattern shows.
STRUCTURE (2 complaints)
STRUCTURE
2 complaintsA seized power liftgate strut leaves the liftgate stuck open. It looks misaligned and will not close or latch, even after the reset steps a Volvo representative suggested. The other report repeats the windshield problem seen elsewhere. A tiny rock chip led to a crack in glass that had already been replaced once. Cracks like this block the driver's view and interfere with driver assist functions.
LANE DEPARTURE (1 complaints)
LANE DEPARTURE
1 complaint*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 nothing present, even when we're in the outside lane against the curb - we have video to document this. The vehicle has also spontaneously turned off and then back on while in drive, in a turn lane. In addition, the dashboard and media center lighting sporadically dims down, making it difficult to see in bright light situations. *Whenever the phantom braking engages, it makes us vulnerable to being rear-ended. We're very lucky that this hasn't happened so far. The phantom side view mirror lights have created some panic situations where we didn't see a vehicle in the lane beside us and started to change lanes but swerved back into the lane we were in due to seeing the lights go on. Not being able to see the dashboard due to dimming of the lighting within poses obvious risks and spontaneous shut-down of the vehicle while in drive in a turn lane also makes us prone to being rear-ended. *The vehicle has been in service at Volvo of Naples, Florida for a combined time of about 30 days. The dealership put on 900+ miles on our car and claimed that they couldn't recreate the phantom braking or lighting situation. *We didn't experience any obvious issues with the car prior to the phantom braking, etc. We found that adaptive cruise control wasn't working but the dealership told us that our car doesn't have adaptive cruise control which seemed odd to us. We were under the impression that all cars at this level had adaptive cruise control. We're not sure whether to take them at their word.
Best & Worst Volvo XC40 Years
Best Volvo XC40 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreVolvo XC40 Years to Avoid
2021
(Current Model)
2023
Volvo XC40 Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 60/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 46/100 | Mixed |
| 2023 | 48/100 | Mixed |
| 2024 | 64/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 76/100 | Good |
Volvo XC40 Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2021 Volvo XC40 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volvo XC40?
Does the 2021 Volvo XC40 have power loss problems?
How many recalls does the 2021 Volvo XC40 have?
Is the 2021 Volvo XC40 better or worse than the 2020?
Don’t buy a 2021 Volvo XC40 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2021 Volvo XC40
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Volvo XC40 does best on recall impact (75/100) and worst on complaint severity (18/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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