2020 Volvo XC40 Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 15,476miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 27 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 33 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2020 Volvo XC40 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2020 Volvo XC40. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and engine (3). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 15,476 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 178 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 51 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system4 33%
- Brakes3 25%
- Engine3 25%
- Air bags1 8.3%
- Exterior lighting1 8.3%
- Lane departure1 8.3%
- Other or unknown1 8.3%
Also reported: Seat belts (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “The cooling system cracked, malfunctioned and caused a domino effect of multiple repair issues costing at least $5,200. My car is currently at a Volvo dealer. My Safety: The possibility of the hot engine and hot wires could have resulted in a fire. This problem HAS been reproduced and confirmed by a Volvo dealer. The vehicle overheating was witnessed by the Fire Department and local police.. As far as sufficient Warning Lights or dashboard indications, the ONLY messages I received were 1} About 5 p.m. …”
NHTSA complaint #11757999, filed 2026-08Brakes: “My XC40 has 24, 500 miles on it, and it has already had three sets of brake rotors replaced. The dealership reported warped rotors on my front brake rotors in the summer of 2021 at 15,000 miles and replaced them. Now at 24,500 miles, both the front and rear rotors were again warped and replaced by the dealership noting that the rotors had pad transfer marks .”
NHTSA complaint #11453787, filed 2022-02Engine: “On 01/04/2026, while operating a gas-powered 2024 Volvo XC40, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) event while stationary at a red light. With the service brake fully depressed, the internal combustion engine began to surge and rev uncontrollably, making loud noises. The engine torque increased in direct response to increased brake pressure, eventually overcoming the braking system and forcing the vehicle forward into the 3-way intersection. …”
NHTSA complaint #11708898, filed 2026-01Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 500 and 30,453 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 Volvo XC40. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XC40 T4 · SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 15.5% risk |
| XC40 T5 · SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 16.4% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2021: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2020 Volvo XC40 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XC40 AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 22 | 30 | 25 | $3,300 |
| XC40 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 23 | 33 | 27 | $2,500 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 20V144000Mar 12, 2020Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency brakingCovers: Volvo XC40 2019–2020, XC90 2019–2020, S60 2019–2020 +6 more
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…
Recall details for the 2020 Volvo XC40 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 178 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11033746May 23, 2026Other or unknown. 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…
- 11033734May 7, 2026Transmission and drivetrain. 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.
- 11033732May 7, 2026Exterior lighting. 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
- 11032678Apr 23, 2026Engine. 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…
- 11032671Apr 7, 2026Other or unknown. 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…
- 11031109Mar 21, 2026Exterior lighting. 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
- 11028385Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This is a TJ If detected during Pre-delivery inspection or if customer complaints of chipped/cracked/distorted screen/glass within 6 months in service we request more information, follow advise…
- 11027189Dec 20, 2025Exterior lighting. 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
- 11027176Dec 10, 2025Other or unknown. This is a TJ If detected during Pre-delivery inspection or if customer complaints of chipped/cracked/distorted screen/glass within 6 months in service we request more information, follow advise…
- 11027173Dec 6, 2025Other or unknown. This is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.
Other model years of the Volvo XC40
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 50 | 2 | 5 | 26 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 28 | 8,000 | 4 | 5 | 98 MPGe | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 47 | 4,500 | 4 | 5 | 27 | 63 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 37 | 7,000 | 3 | 5 | 26 | 31 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 52 | 7,625 | 5 | 5 | 26 | 64 · Typical | Stable |
| 2020 | 12 | 15,476 | 1 | 5 | 27 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 30 | 5,055 | 4 | — | 27 | 32 · Fewer | Rising |
All Volvo XC40 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020 Volvo XC40 have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2020 Volvo XC40 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2020 Volvo XC40 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (33% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 2020 Volvo XC40 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2020 Volvo XC40 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2020 Volvo XC40 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Volvo XC40 get?
The EPA rates the 2020 Volvo XC40 (XC40 FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 23 city and 33 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2020 Volvo XC40 reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 15,476 miles and the middle half falls between 500 and 30,453 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.