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2019 Volvo XC40 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2019 Volvo XC40 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 30owner complaints
- 4crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 10%fail the UK MOT
30 complaints, against an average of 29 for the other 6 Volvo XC40 model years.
Every Volvo XC40 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2019 Volvo XC40?
The components named most often in the 30 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2019 Volvo XC40 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 30 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Fault codes 2019 Volvo XC40 owners mention
Diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote in their complaints. Open a code to see what it meant on other cars and whether a recall names it.
Has the 2019 Volvo XC40 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2019 Volvo XC40 as of November 2, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2019 Volvo XC40 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSACMA Cell Modules
Risk: On affected vehicles the High Voltage (HV) Battery may have a manufacturing defect which could cause the Battery Cells to overheat when the HV Battery is fully charged. In a worst-case scenario there is a risk of fire when the vehicle is parked up with a fully charged HV Battery.
Fix: Check and replace the HV Battery Cells if necessary and install modified software.
UK DVSABCM2 SW – Safety Notice
Risk: Affected vehicles may experience a temporary loss of braking functionality after coasting downhill with ‘B’ mode selected or when using One Pedal Drive. This could potentially lead to a collision.
Fix: Install modified software via an Over the Air (OTA) update.
UK DVSAThe starter motor may engage incorrectly
Risk: The starter motor may engage incorrectly and this may lead to a noise when starting the engine or even non-start.
Fix: Download modified software.
UK DVSAPotentially insufficient or missing welding connection in the hydraulic unit of the brake system
Risk: There may be an insufficient or missing welding connection in the Hydraulic Unit of the Brake System.
Fix: Replace the Hydraulic Unit.
UK DVSATwo nuts on the brake booster have been assembled with insufficient torque
Risk: Two nuts on the Brake Booster have been assembled with insufficient torque.
Fix: Replace the existing two nuts with two locks nuts assembled with the correct torque.
UK DVSAOne of the nuts securing the brake booster to the firewall is missing.
Risk: On affected vehicles one of the nuts securing the brake booster to the firewall is missing
Fix: Fit the missing nut.
UK DVSASoftware issue means that automatic emergency brake system may not engage
Risk: The Automatic Emergency Brake System a function of the IntelliSafe system may not always engage increasing the risk of a collision
Fix: Affected vehicles must have new software downloaded
UK DVSAPossible software issue in the vehicle connectivity module (vcm)
Risk: There may be a software issue in the Vehicle Connectivity Module.
Fix: Upgrade software in the Vehicle Connectivity Module.
EU Safety GateThe starter motor may fail, which can lead to noise or no engine start.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Distributor; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateTwo brake booster nuts are not tightened with the correct torque.This could over time reduce brake performance, increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Distributor; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateA software problem has been detected in the communication module of the emergency call system.As a consequence, incorrect location information might be sent to the emergency services in the event of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateAs a result of incorrect assembly, the brake pedal may move out of position.This could lead to brake failure.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2019 Volvo XC40 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2019, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2019 Volvo XC40 owners report?
12 of the 30 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
The driver side liftgate strut broke; the liftgate raised normally and when reached the fully opened position it immediately started to close very rapidly, this could have easily hit someone quite hard in the head. The Liftgate was then stuck in a halfway opened position and was unable to close fully. I was able to manually raise the liftgate and when released again slammed down to a halfway open position, and sill could not close the liftgate. I raised it again and propped it open and removed the driver side lift strut and noticed that water had severely infiltrated the strut mechanism and…
The contact owns a 2019 Volvo XC40. The contact stated while at a stop sign or a stop light, the engine revved loudly, and the vehicle suddenly lunged forward out of control. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 7,600.
The component that failed was the Brake pedal, it was unresponsive while driving on the freeway, it was hard to push and the vehicle would not come to a complete stop. My safety along with my daughter was put at risk due to nearly colliding into several vehicles due to not being able to stop vehicle. I had to tow the vehicle to the nearest shop where it is currently. During the incident the brake light came on. The shop where the vehicle is currently is stating that it appears to have a faulty Brake Vacuum Pump.
Diagnostic code failure P0422 Evap system failure had emission testing done recently about two weeks ago . Car was service by Volvo in March 2024 and nonissues . Low mileage on car under 20k This should be recalled as many on online forums are having the same issue . Faulty manufacturing and Volvo should issue recall .
Air bag not functioning related to seatbelt failure. Will not tighten on sudden stops.
While entering a parking spot my car suddenly accelerated and crashed into the wall in front of me in spite of my pushing my brakes 100%. The car never went into the automatic braking system before I applied the brakes, the seat belt never engaged and the air bags on the driver's side did not deploy. If I had not braced myself against the steering wheel my chest would have sustained a major injury. I am being treated for pain in my neck, arm and leg as a result of the crash. The sudden unintended acceleration has occurred in prior years of this model and after my model year as well and have…
I was involved in an accident with my 2019 Volvo xc40. I believe the cause of the accident was due to the emergency braking system that activated when I hit water that accumulated on the road I was traveling. I was accelerating and the braking caused the vehicle to swerve uncontrollably resulting in some minor body damage to the passenger side as contact was made with some roadside objects. Unfortunately the incident caused over $10,000.00 in front end damages, which is covered by my insurance. This emergency braking i. e. forward collision avoidance automatic emergency braking, has the…
Front seat belts came on suddenly while stopped at light. Bruised front passengers neck. No car in front or near in rear.
The contact owns a 2019 Volvo XC40. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, while his wife was seated in the passenger’s side front seat using an orthopedic back support, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while not using the back support, the air bag sensor worked as designed. The contact stated that his wife used the back support due to physical issues and had used the lumbar support cushion to ease pain. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who advised that the only way to stop the sensor from being deactivated by the lumbar cushion was…
The vehicle has approximately 16,000 miles on it. It began to shudder in the front end when the brakes were applied at any speed. I contacted the dealer, Parkway Volvo of Wilmington, NC concerning the problem and was told that the vehicle had just gone out of warranty. On December 16, 2022, I took the vehicle to Derhams Alignment and Auto Repair, Wilmington NC to have the problem diagnosed. They found that the discs of the disc brakes on all four wheels were warped. They recommended replacement of these to repair the problem. Following this I took the car to Parkway Volvo on December 19, 2022…
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND SHOWED 'SAFETY MODE SEE OWNERS MANUAL' AFTER SUSTAINING MINOR FRONT END DAMAGE IN A COLLISION WITH A DEER. UNABLE TO MOVE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOPPING LOCATION ON A RURAL INTERSTATE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES UNTIL 'SAFETY MODE' EVENTUALLY RESET AND ALLOWED LIMP-HOME POWER. THIS FEATURE IS QUITE UNSAFE AND PLACED MY FAMILY AND I AT SIGNIFICANT RISK.
THE VOLVO INTELLISAFE SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED THE BRAKES WHEN THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO BRAKE FOR. IT HAS DONE THIS 8 TIMES, 3 TIMES AFTER I HAD THE CAR IN TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. IT ALSO THOUGHT THERE WAS A REAR COLLISION EMINENT AND TIGHTENED THE SEAT BELT SO MUCH IT INJURED MY CHEST AND SIDE. I WAS IN A LEFT TURN LANE AND A CAR PASSED QUITE SAFELY TO THE RIGHT OF ME. THIS INTELLISAFE SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE DEALER DOES NOT BELIEVE ME AND HAS NOT FIXED IT. 1ST TIME AUTO BRAKING - SEPT 14 2018 WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ON EL CAMINO BLVD, IT…
2019 Volvo XC40: questions owners ask
Is the 2019 Volvo XC40 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Volvo XC40; the most common categories were engine (5, 16.7%), service brakes (5, 16.7%), air bags (4, 13.3%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 4 complaints mention a crash, 3 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volvo XC40?
Across 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (16.7% of complaints), service brakes (16.7% of complaints), air bags (13.3% of complaints), forward collision avoidance (10% of complaints), seat belts (10% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2019 Volvo XC40 have any recalls?
As of November 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2019 Volvo XC40. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What causes clunking or suspension noise in the 2019 Volvo XC40?
3 of the 30 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2019 Volvo XC40 (10%) describe suspension clunks, worn parts or air suspension failures. One owner wrote: "After less than 2 months air bag system failed at only 2400 mile mark. suggest entire brand be recalled since it is a new model it was not tested properly. i am in danger and afraid to drive the car" (NHTSA complaint 11094068, May 2018). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own XC40
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved November 2, 2026. Model year 2019 only; combines NHTSA's entries for XC40 T4 and XC40 T5. How these reports are made.
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