Skip to content
Back-over prevention (rear camera)Part report

2021 Volvo XC40 Back-over prevention (rear camera) Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
15%of 52 total for the year
Median mileage
18,004miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the back-over prevention of the 2021 Volvo XC40, 15% of the 52 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,004 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“On July 1st 2025, while slowly reversing out of my driveway at approximately 3–4 mph, the vehicle’s collision detection system errantly detected an imminent collision. Despite there being no obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, or objects in the vehicle’s path, the system abruptly engaged the automatic emergency braking (AEB). This sudden and forceful braking caused me to experience whiplash due to the unexpected jolt. There was no prior warning or indication of a malfunction, nor any alert from the vehicle indicating why the braking occurred. …”

NHTSA complaint #11671132, filed 2025-07

“The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that the vehicle was delivered to his residence by the local dealer. Upon inspection, he became aware that the automatic emergency braking system sensor was not operating as designed while reversing with an object nearby. The local dealer was made aware of the issue however, no assistance was offered. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 7.”

NHTSA complaint #11419522, filed 2021-06, 7 miles

“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

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11670489, filed 2025-07, 36,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Back-over prevention (rear camera): other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025327%
2024725%
20231123%
20221438%
2021815%
202018%

Other parts of the 2021 Volvo XC40

Electrical system
14 complaints
Fuel system
10 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
6 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
5 complaints
Vehicle speed control
5 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
Brakes
4 complaints
Engine
3 complaints
Lane departure
3 complaints
Body and structure
3 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Volvo XC40

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology