Volvo · XC40 · 2021
2021 Volvo XC40
5
Recalls
49
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Volvo XC40 has 5 recalls and 49 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: electrical system (10 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2021 Volvo XC40 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is electrical system with 10 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Compare the recall list with the complaint mix to see whether the most reported issues overlap with formal NHTSA safety campaigns.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2021 Volvo XC40 currently shows 5 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 49 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are electrical system (10), fuel/propulsion system (6), unknown or other (5).
- Vehicle
- 2021 Volvo XC40
- Recalls
- 5
- Complaints
- 49
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
16.4% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 25V908000December 23, 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."
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 25V282000May 08, 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."
Remedy Status
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 ID: 21V881000November 12, 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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 21V682000September 01, 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."
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 21V109000February 24, 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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
49 totalVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Feb 12, 2026
I was sitting in the car with my daughter with the car in park, but the engine was on. Suddenly the engine started revving, and I thought her foot hit the peddle but it wasn't the case, and she had to turn the car off. I then got into the driver's seat and started the car again, ...
Preview excerpt
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 11, 2025
The vehicle experienced a complete loss of propulsion, causing it to freeze and become unable to move. The first occurrence happened during the original factory warranty period and required towing to a dealership, but the root cause was not identified at that time. The same loss...
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FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Oct 31, 2025
Ever since I bought the vehicle new in 2021 I have had perpetual problems with the software and technology. The cruise control system has gone out completely, all electrical fails in the vehicle, apple car play regularly goes out. What is even more of a safety concern is multiple...
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FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CRASHOct 16, 2025
When attempting to park the vehicle, at low speed, the vehicle performed an unintended acceleration leading the vehicle to crash.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sep 1, 2025
Back up camera consistently does not turn off. Audio system, including turning signals and reverse alert do not activate. This continues to be a safety risk despite numerous software updates that have allegedly fixed the issues.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Aug 25, 2025
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 24, 2025
1. OBC failure. Stranded unable to charge. Situational could be dangerous. 2. Rt side mirror defaults to extreme angle after locking car evert time. Dealership could not troubleshoot solution.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jul 11, 2025
I was driving this car on Highway 99 on 7/11/2025. 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 itsel...
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BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
1 injuryJul 1, 2025
On July 1st 2025, 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 e...
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BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Jun 23, 2025
The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC40. 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 w...
Preview excerpt
Showing 10 recent complaints from 49 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2021 Volvo models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Volvo XC40 Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Volvo XC40 have?
The 2021 Volvo XC40 has 5 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2021 Volvo XC40?
NHTSA has received 49 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Volvo XC40.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Volvo XC40?
The 2021 Volvo XC40 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volvo XC40?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Volvo XC40 are electrical system (10 reports), fuel/propulsion system (6 reports), unknown or other (5 reports).
Does the 2021 Volvo XC40 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 5 recalls on record for the 2021 Volvo XC40. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.