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Forward collision avoidancePart report

2021 Volvo XC40 Forward collision avoidance Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
12%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 6 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2021 Volvo XC40, 12% of the 52 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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.

“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

“*We're experiencing constant phantom braking (sometimes multiple times within a day) with our vehicle on local roads as well as highways. Usually this occurs when we're approaching a vehicle in a turn lane, slowing down. Our blindspot sideview mirror lights light up when there is nothing present, even when we're in the outside lane against the curb - we have video to document this. The vehicle has also spontaneously turned off and then back on while in drive, in a turn lane. …”

NHTSA complaint #11476749, filed 2022-07

“On 8/3/21 I had an accident in my brand new 2021 xc40. I lightly tapped on the accelerator to close in a gap as I came to a stop at a red light. The vehicle jumped forward as though I floored the accelerator, though again, it was a slight tap. I rear-ended the car in front of me. There was no forward collision warning, no mitigation by the vehicle applying the brakes, nothing. The vehicle is supposed to assist in this situation, but the aeb system did not work at all. The jump in power and failure of the aeb is very troubling. Especially since it's a large part of the Volvo selling point.”

NHTSA complaint #11427734, filed 2021-08

“Had a cracked windshield, Volvo replaced with OEM. Another pin head size rock chip resulted in another cracked windshield. Google search will reveal the Windshield on the XC40 Volvo crack with the lightest contact. The glass has a defect and the crack interferes with driver visibility and driver assist functions”

NHTSA complaint #11495845, filed 2022-12

“-The forward automatic braking system/City Safety has misfired multiple times in all weather conditions, on surface streets and on the highway. -This causes automatic braking which could cause an accident. -The car is currently at the dealer for inspection since 10/25/2024. It is now 11/5/2024. -There was a message on the dash saying that the dashboard screen was blocked- this began a few months ago. This issue with the automatic braking began after my last service for an oil change about two months ago.”

NHTSA complaint #11623705, filed 2024-11

Related service bulletins

Forward collision avoidance: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025218%
2024414%
2023919%
2022514%
2021612%
2020217%
2019310%

Other parts of the 2021 Volvo XC40

Electrical system
14 complaints
Fuel system
10 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
8 complaints
Other or unknown
7 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