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EnginePart report

2021 Volvo XC40 Engine Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
6%of 52 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Volvo XC40, 6% of the 52 complaints for this model year.

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 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

“On October 12, 2021 the above described car had a catastrophic failure of the power system. All functions ceased and the car was dead towed on a flatbed truck. Because the tow mode could not be engaged due to loss of all power the vehicle was dragged onto the flatbed. The repair indicated the cause was a The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). This is noted in recall R10078. This car was sent for service in April where a request for a software update was made. At that service, no recall was noted and no update was given for this condition. …”

NHTSA complaint #11436752, filed 2021-10

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025327%
202427%
202312%
202213%
202136%
2020325%
2019517%

Other parts of the 2021 Volvo XC40

Electrical system
14 complaintsFuel 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 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