Model year 2021 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
2021 Volvo XC40: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2021 Volvo XC40 at 25–26 mpg combined (gas versions) and 79 MPGe combined with 208 miles of EPA-rated range across 3 versions. NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 52 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
6
EPA combined mpg
25–26
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as XC40BEV.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Volvo dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2021 Volvo XC40 recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 6 safety recalls for the 2021 Volvo XC40, newest first.
Back over prevention: Software
NHTSA 25V908000Reported Dec 23, 2025
Filed by
Volvo Car USA, LLC (manufacturer recall no. R10333)
Units affected
413,151 (estimate)
Problem
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Carâs customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10333. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 16, 2026. This recall replaces previous NHTSA recall number 25V282. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V282 will need to have the new remedy performed.
Volvo Car USA, LLC (manufacturer recall no. R10320)
Units affected
413,151 (estimate)
Problem
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10320.
Volvo Car USA, LLC (manufacturer recall no. R10170)
Units affected
5,351 (estimate)
Problem
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2022 XC40 BEV vehicles. Water may enter the cable harness, corroding the accelerator pedal sensor (APS) circuit.
Risk
A corroded APS circuit may send corrupted signals, causing unintended acceleration, a lack of acceleration, or a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect for corrosion, install a cable splice to prevent water intrusion and, as necessary, replace the connector terminal and APS, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Car at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10170.
Volvo Car USA, LLC (manufacturer recall no. R10128)
Components
Structure: Frame and members; Engine
Units affected
4 (estimate)
Problem
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2021 XC40 BEV vehicles. A bolt that secures the cross-member bracket for the electrical motor in the engine compartment may be loose or missing.
Risk
A loose or missing bolt may decrease the structural protection of the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the cross-member bracket and install new bracket bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10128.
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.
Volvo Car USA, LLC (manufacturer recall no. R10078)
Units affected
2,278 (estimate)
Problem
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2022 XC40 Recharge vehicles. The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) microprocessor may reset and cause the high voltage system to disconnect.
Risk
A disconnected high voltage system can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will install a software update, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10078.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2021 Volvo XC40 fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination; electric figures are in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2021 Volvo XC40 crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2021 Volvo XC40 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge SUV AWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Standard
2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge SUV FWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Standard
2021 Volvo XC40 T4 SUV AWD
5 stars
5 stars
Not rated
4 stars
16.4%
Standard
2021 Volvo XC40 T4 SUV FWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
4 stars
15.5%
Standard
2021 Volvo XC40 T5 SUV AWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
4 stars
16.4%
Standard
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2021 Volvo XC40 owner complaints
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volvo XC40, most recently on Sep 15, 2026. 3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2021 Volvo XC40 complaints
