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2021 Volvo XC40 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2021 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
- 40owner complaints
- 2crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 9%fail the UK MOT
40 complaints, against an average of 28 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 2021 Volvo XC40?
The components named most often in the 40 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2021 Volvo XC40 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 40 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2021 Volvo XC40 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2021 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 2021 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 DVSADuring driving or idle the O-Ring may become twisted or break.During driving or idle the O-Ring may become twisted or break. Should this occur there could be an oil leak a message for low engine oil level displayed in the vehicle or an unusual smell in the cabin. In a worst case scenario this could cause a thermal event.
Risk: During driving or idle the O-Ring may become twisted or break. Should this occur there could be an oil leak a message for low engine oil level displayed in the vehicle or an unusual smell in the cabin. In a worst case scenario this could cause a thermal event.
Fix: Replace O-Ring
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 DVSAHigh voltage contactors in the battery energy control module may open during driving
Risk: High voltage contactors may open during driving resulting in a risk that the high voltage system may be unintentionally disconnected causing a loss of propulsion.
Fix: Software upgrade to be carried out.
UK DVSAA cable harness in the engine compartment may be assembled in the incorrect position
Risk: A cable harness in the engine compartment may be assembled in the incorrect position.
Fix: The cable harness is to be secured in the correct position.
EU Safety GateDamaged cables or connections on the accelerator pedal sensor because of corrosion may cause unintentional acceleration or no start…Damaged cables or connections on the accelerator pedal sensor because of corrosion may cause unintentional acceleration or no start condition, 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 GateThe welding connection between the motor’s rotor shaft and the magnet package in the hydraulic unit of the brake system may be partially…The welding connection between the motor’s rotor shaft and the magnet package in the hydraulic unit of the brake system may be partially or fully missing.As a result, the brake boost, the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the electronic stability control (ESC) could be disabled, resulting in less deceleration than normal, leading to increased 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 GateThe high voltage system, may get inadvertently disconnected during driving.This could lead to loss of propulsion, 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 GateThe bolts in the Battery Disconnect Unit (BDU), a part of the High Voltage (HV) battery, are not torqued according to the specifications.As a result, the car may not be able to charge, to drive or to start, 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: 10/09/2020
How often does the 2021 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 2021, 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 2021 Volvo XC40 owners report?
12 of the 40 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.
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.
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 itself and couldn't move at all. The gear shift can't shift to neutral (N). From the first message appearing on the dashboard to the car being disabled takes just a couple of seconds. When it happened, it was about 6:30 pm, rush hour. If I had not had a chance to drive the car immediately to the highway shoulder, the…
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 was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was recently repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V282000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage…
After having the rear camera software update to address the safety recall on 05/28, the “camera unavailable” problem persists. This vehicle has underpowered chipset in the IHU and the entire IHU should be subject to recall.
Turning out of parking lot , car started pulsing, and stopped. Propulsion failure box popped up. Thankfully no cars behind us (young daughter in car seat)or was not attempting to merge on highway. Tow truck manually pulled car as no electric (cannot unlock or open trunk), completely shut down.
The check engine light has been on my vehicle since April 1, 2024. I have taken it in twice to a Volvo dealership and they cannot give me an answer as to why this is happening. They reset it and it comes right back on after a few miles. They tell me when they get an answer they will call me back in to have it fixed. It still has not been fixed.
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 car had a second propulsion system failure. The Volvo dealer found the error code and light on the dash, followed diagnostic procedures and saw that the software is up to date. They opened a case with Volvo and Volvo informed them that they are aware that propulsion system failures are occurring even with the updated…
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 and dragged onto the flat bed tow truck as the cars emergency brake system was engaged and couldn't be disengaged. Received vehicle back and was told to bring it back once it happened again, which it has twice. But this time, emergency brake did not get stuck and have to be towed. It occurs without a vehicle or anything…
The vehicle is a battery electric that relies on its 12V battery to start and operate. 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 immediately take the vehicle to a service center, also indicating that vehicle could not be restarted. Had we been on a highway in the process of merging, changing lanes or simply in front of another vehicle a serious accident could have…
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.
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 visibility and driver assist functions
The contact called on behalf of the mother who owns a 2021 Volvo CX40. The contact stated that the mother was driving approximately 25 MPH, when the brake inadvertently stopped the vehicle and the seatbelt tighten the driver into the seat. There was anti-lock brake light illuminated and a message about accident avoidance city safety. The vehicle was diagnosed at a local dealer with an unknown recall failure. The vehicle was repaired and software updated; however, the failure reoccurred while driving approximately 55 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again for a computer module update…
2021 Volvo XC40: questions owners ask
Is the 2021 Volvo XC40 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volvo XC40; the most common categories were electrical system (12, 30%), fuel/propulsion system (7, 17.5%), back over prevention (5, 12.5%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 2 complaints mention a crash, 1 injury was reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volvo XC40?
Across 40 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (30% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (17.5% of complaints), back over prevention (12.5% of complaints), visibility/wiper (12.5% of complaints), forward collision avoidance (10% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2021 Volvo XC40 have any recalls?
As of November 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2021 Volvo XC40. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does the battery keep dying on my 2021 Volvo XC40?
4 of the 40 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 Volvo XC40 (10%) describe a dead or draining battery. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11436734, October 2021). 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 2021 only; combines NHTSA's entries for XC40 RECHARGE, XC40 T4 and XC40 T5. How these reports are made.
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