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Electrical systemPart report

2021 Volvo XC40 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
14about this part
Share
27%of 52 total for the year
Median mileage
29,475miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Volvo XC40, 27% of the 52 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 29,475 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is 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.

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #11622739, filed 2024-10

“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

“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

“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. The most recent time this happened the dealership instructed me to have Volvo Roadside Assistance tow the vehicle to the dealership, even though the vehicle was 91 miles from the dealership. …”

NHTSA complaint #11634084, filed 2025-01

“The 2021 XC 40 vehicle will periodically not restart - may be something to do with the safety key or some other electrical malfunction. The dashboard shows the battery symbol when the car will not restart as if the vehicle is dead (no electrical connection). Also, when the start button is depressed the dashboard illuminates with the dead battery signal, but otherwise, it seems the button is not connected to the vehicle in that the engine does not respond. Also, we had an issue where the vehicle, while we were beginning to stop at a stop sign, went dead and was not responsive. …”

NHTSA complaint #11419821, filed 2021-06

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025327%
2024725%
20231226%
2022411%
20211427%
2020433%
201927%

Other parts of the 2021 Volvo XC40

Fuel system
10 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsLane departure
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEngine 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 27, 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