2021 Volvo XC40 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2021 Volvo XC40 most often describe sudden power or propulsion loss, including complete power failures that keep the car from starting or moving. Unexpected automatic braking or sudden acceleration, sometimes with nothing in the path, and rear camera images that show camera unavailable are also common. Where mileage is given, the reports range from very low mileage to about 58,000 miles.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Complete power failure, vehicle will not start or unlock

   • 20 complaints (38%)
   • median 36,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe a sudden loss of all power, with the car unable to start, lock, unlock, or move, and in some reports the car had to be towed or loaded onto a flatbed. Some say the battery control module was named as the problem, and that the failure returned after a software update or recall work. Some describe the 12-volt battery failing repeatedly, with the car not starting even after a manual key unlock. Mileage is mostly not stated; where given, it is about 58,000 miles, and some failures happened while the car was stopped or parked.

   Recall 21V1090001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the recall for the battery control module (21V109000) and any later software updates were completed, and whether the 12-volt battery has been tested. Check the service history for repeated tows or no-start visits, and confirm the car starts and unlocks normally during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The 12-volt battery has failed on 5 occasions. Each time, I tried to unlock the vehicle after being away from it for a short period (e.g., 5-40 minutes). I had to use the manual key to unlock the vehicle, but the vehicle wouldn't start. I had the vehicle towed 4 times. One time it started on its own. I have taken the vehicle to my Volvo dealership 3 times for this issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11634084, filed 2025-01

   “I was driving our vehicle on the highway and proceeded to exit on the ramp. As I was decelerating, the instrumentation started making electrical noises and then the center console and the entire navigation screen went black. They flickered then came back up briefly before shutting off a second time, then the entire car shut down. There was no power to anything. I then attempted to push the start button, and the car did not start the first time. I tried pushing the button a second time and the car started. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11534108, filed 2023-07
2. 2
   Forward collision avoidance

   Unexpected braking or sudden acceleration

   • 11 complaints (21%)
   • median 2,628 mi at 1.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe automatic emergency braking or other assist braking engaging when no obstacle was present, including while reversing at low speed, while slowing, and while stopped at a light, sometimes with whiplash or a sudden jolt. Other owners describe the car jumping forward after a light tap on the accelerator, the engine revving while in park, or unintended acceleration while parking at low speed. Some report that a software update did not stop the behavior, and some say no warning was shown before the braking or acceleration. Mileage is mostly not stated; where given, it is about 5,250 miles, and some events happened at low speed while reversing or parking.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the braking and driver assist software has been updated, and whether any forward or rear collision warning systems were checked for false activation. On a test drive, note whether warnings appear or the car brakes or surges when nothing is ahead, including at low speed in reverse.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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, and it did the same thing. I turned the car off and had to Uber home.”

   NHTSA complaint #11717691, filed 2026-02

   “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 times my car has been automatically braking and suddenly accelerates nearly causing me to rear end the vehicle in front of me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11698511, filed 2025-11
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Sudden loss of propulsion while driving

   • 9 complaints (17%)
   • median 10,000 mi at 2.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe a propulsion system failure warning that appears suddenly, followed by shuddering, reduced speed, or a complete loss of drive. Some vehicles stopped on the road or in traffic and could not be driven again, and some needed a tow. According to complaints, the dealer found an electric propulsion component fault in some cases, and in others owners were told a known software upgrade was needed. Where mileage is given, these complaints range from about 10,000 to 49,000 miles, and some happened at low speed in parking lots.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether any propulsion or high-voltage warning has been recorded, and whether the battery control module and inverter software are current. On a test drive, watch for warning messages and any shudder or power reduction during slow driving.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11589423, filed 2024-05

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11511344, filed 2023-03
4. 4
   Back-over prevention (rear camera)

   Rear camera blank or showing camera unavailable

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 36,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2025

   Owners describe the rear camera image flickering, going blank, or showing a camera unavailable message when the car is put in reverse. Some say the camera stays on after the car leaves reverse, and reverse alerts or turn signal sounds may not work at the same time. According to complaints, the problem sometimes continued after a software update, and the dealer could not always find a fault or reproduce it. Mileage is mostly not stated; where given, it is about 36,000 miles, and some reports describe the problem continuing after a rear camera software update.

   Recall 25V908000Recall 25V282000

   What to check: Ask whether the rear camera software update and any related recall repair were completed, and whether the camera has been checked for intermittent faults. During a test drive, shift into reverse repeatedly and confirm the image appears each time and clears when the car leaves reverse.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Backup camera fails intermittently at least a dozen times, error message camera unavailable . Camera icon disappears from dash. Took to dealer. No code, no problem. Backed up and worked, did not understand intermittently?! Asked tech to report to Volvo, got push back. I advised I was reporting as safety failure to SaferCar and they report to Volvo. Suspect was not reported to Volvo. When camera fails other rear safety systems are inoperable.”

   NHTSA complaint #11475194, filed 2022-07

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11685234, filed 2025-09
5. 5
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield cracks, sometimes with no visible impact

   Mentioned in 4 of 50 sampled complaints

   Owners report the windshield cracking from small chips or with no visible impact, and in some cases cracks returned after replacement. Some describe cracks near the side pillar or lower edge soon after buying the car. Some say the dealer suggested something had struck the glass, while the owner did not see any impact. Mileage is not stated in these complaints; some report cracks within the first few months of ownership.

   What to check: Inspect the windshield closely before buying, and check for chips or cracks in good light. Ask the seller whether the windshield has been replaced before, and whether the replacement glass and any repair records are documented.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On Oct 8, we noticed a crack on the front lower right passenger-side of the windshield. We purchased this car less than 2 months ago. The crack was perplexing to us because we've never had a cracked windshield on any of our cars we've owned in the last 20 years, driving in the same roads and neighborhoods. We live in southern California where we don't experience extreme weather conditions. We google searched Volvo XC40 cracked windshield and found similar experiences. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11436795, filed 2021-10

   “There appeared a crack on the passenger side of the car when making a turn onto a expressway ramp. There were no vehicles in front of me to kick up any road debris. I went to the Volvo dealer and the service manager dragged a ball point pen across the crack and said it was hit by something. I could not see any sign of something hitting my car. I am concerned that if something did hit the windshield how could something so small, that it can be seen, cause this damage. My car is 4 months old. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11422195, filed 2021-06

Buying note. For a used 2021 XC40, ask for the recall and software update history, especially for the battery control module and rear camera, and whether any power or braking warnings are on record. A test drive that includes slow reversing and a check of the warning messages can show whether camera or braking behavior is present.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 50 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.