2019 Volvo Xc40 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (5) · Vehicle Speed Control (2) · Seat Belts (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volvo Xc40 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking 2020-03-12 · campaign 20V144000 · 121,605 vehicles
Defect: Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.
Risk: If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29998.
Electrical System:software 2018-11-13 · campaign 18V800000 · 17,548 vehicles
Defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.
Risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages 2018-08-22 · campaign 18V554000 · 71 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2019 Volvo XC40 vehicles. The brake pedals may not have been correctly riveted, allowing the pedal to move out of position, possibly reducing braking performance.
Risk: Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo has notified owners advising them to stop driving their vehicle. Cars will be inspected on-site or towed to dealers and the brake pedals will be replaced as necessary, free of charge. Volvo began contacting their owners on August 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R59899.
Seats:mid/Rear Assembly 2018-08-15 · campaign 18V535000 · 27 vehicles
Defect: Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2019 Volvo XC40 vehicles. The rear seats may not have rear seat back lock strikers, allowing the seat back to move forward during certain hard braking conditions or a crash.
Risk: If the seat back moves forward during hard braking or in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and install the seat back lock strikers if they are missing, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89898.
Service bulletins (303)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-23 · 33031.6.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: text plus 1 .jpg attachment - if remote control key is not detected by the car and shows message in dim "car key not found" or if functions such as lock/unlock are not working, please follow advice for detecting key
Power Train 2026-05-07 · 36496.10.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: intermittent knocking noise during acceleration. if the sound corresponds to attached sound file, change front drive shafts to the below part numbers.
Exterior Lighting 2026-05-07 · 34521.11.1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: headlamp condensation inside lens - information/leak test. if the result is not ok (air leak), it is ok to replace the headlamp
Engine 2026-04-23 · 35526.1.8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: text plus 2 pdfs and 1 .png oil consumption test. perform the test. follow service procedure description and service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-07 · 37809.1.1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a tj text only - the purpose of this tj is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. this tj will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval. current items under prior approval are listed in the "service" sec
Exterior Lighting 2026-03-21 · 34521.10.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: headlamp condensation inside lens - information/leak test. if the result is not ok (air leak), it is ok to replace the headlamp
Showing the 6 most recent of 303 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-18 · Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate:support Device/Strut“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 w…”
2026-02-26 · Vehicle Speed Control · 7,600 mi“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 rep…”
2025-05-21 · Service Brakes“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 whe…”
2025-05-02 · Unknown Or Other“under engine cover came loose and fall during highway driving. it tuned out that 5 bolts that suppose to secure that cover were missing (per repair shop) . fallen cover broke on few pieces and those pieces could impact breaking and vehicle instability causing incident with injuries and fatalities.…”
2024-11-01 · Power Train · 42,000 mi“the contact owns a 2019 volvo xc40. the contact stated that the gear shifter knob had detached. the contact stated that the knob was not welded to the lever. the contact became aware that crazy glue had been used to secure the shifter knob. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into gear; and while parking the vehicle, the gear shifte…”
2024-08-09 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 . …”
2024-08-07 · Suspension“both front coil springs broke with under 30,000 miles on vehicle. no warning, just a thump thump.. broken springs could have punctured the front tires. repair costly! …”
2024-05-06 · Seat Belts“air bag not functioning related to seatbelt failure. will not tighten on sudden stops.…”
2024-03-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i stopped at a gas station and the fuel door would not open. i tried multiple times locking and unlocking the vehicle with the key fob. as i was driving home, i stopped at three other gas stations. all three times, i still could not open the fuel door. this happened when i initially purchased the car in 2019. i reported it to the volvo dealer while…”
2024-01-04 · Unknown Or Other“my 2019 volvos' xc40 center console has been glitching and blacking out while driving. i rely on this system to navigate and when it blacks out, it does not resume operation till i restart my car. i mentioned this while getting my car serviced and was told i needed to pay a $250 fee to get my system updated and i couldn't complete the update on my …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.