CSR
Check a VIN

Look up

About

Volvo · NHTSA safety record

2019 Volvo XC40

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 30 safety complaints about the 2019 Volvo XC40 with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 3 people were injured and no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 5 complaints, 17% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 5,055 miles, the median across the 14 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers April 2018 to May 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

30 complaints on file

30

Complaints

4

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

3

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 7 · 23%
ENGINE 5 · 17%
SERVICE BRAKES 5 · 17%
AIR BAGS 4 · 13%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3 · 10%
SEAT BELTS 3 · 10%
STRUCTURE 3 · 10%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 · 7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 · 7%
POWER TRAIN 2 · 7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2 · 7%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 · 3%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 30.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 8.

12 9 6 3
18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2019 Volvo XC40. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

4 on file

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

20V144000 · March 12, 2020

The defect
Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.
The risk
If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29998.

Volvo Car USA LLC · up to 121,605 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

18V800000 · November 13, 2018

The defect
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.
The risk
If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
The remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.

Volvo Car USA LLC · up to 17,548 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

18V554000 · August 22, 2018

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2019 Volvo XC40 vehicles. The brake pedals may not have been correctly riveted, allowing the pedal to move out of position, possibly reducing braking performance.
The risk
Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volvo has notified owners advising them to stop driving their vehicle. Cars will be inspected on-site or towed to dealers and the brake pedals will be replaced as necessary, free of charge. Volvo began contacting their owners on August 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R59899.

Volvo Car USA LLC · up to 71 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

18V535000 · August 15, 2018

The defect
Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2019 Volvo XC40 vehicles. The rear seats may not have rear seat back lock strikers, allowing the seat back to move forward during certain hard braking conditions or a crash.
The risk
If the seat back moves forward during hard braking or in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and install the seat back lock strikers if they are missing, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89898.

Volvo Car USA LLC · up to 27 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

Driver was stuck on ice pulling into a driveway, car got traction and driver thought they were on the brake but was on the gas. The vehicle ran into the garage going 9.9 mph (we have the EDR) and the steering wheel airbag and knee airbags deployed. The knee airbag caused a significant compound fracture of the lower tibia and fibula. Accident happened on 1/20 and orthopedics tried to repair using bone grafts, rods and screws. She has been non weight bearing since then and now on 7/27 it has been recommended to amputate the lower leg.

NHTSA complaint 11476431. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash

While entering a parking spot my car suddenly accelerated and crashed into the wall in front of me in spite of my pushing my brakes 100%. The car never went into the automatic braking system before I applied the brakes, the seat belt never engaged and the air bags on the driver's side did not deploy. If I had not braced myself against the steering wheel my chest would have sustained a major injury. I am being treated for pain in my neck, arm and leg as a result of the crash. The sudden unintended acceleration has occurred in prior years of this model and after my model year as well and have been reported to NHTSA. Both my insurance and the manufacturer inspected the car. There were no

NHTSA complaint 11561934, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · 5,110 miles

THE VOLVO INTELLISAFE SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED THE BRAKES WHEN THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO BRAKE FOR. IT HAS DONE THIS 8 TIMES, 3 TIMES AFTER I HAD THE CAR IN TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. IT ALSO THOUGHT THERE WAS A REAR COLLISION EMINENT AND TIGHTENED THE SEAT BELT SO MUCH IT INJURED MY CHEST AND SIDE. I WAS IN A LEFT TURN LANE AND A CAR PASSED QUITE SAFELY TO THE RIGHT OF ME. THIS INTELLISAFE SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE DEALER DOES NOT BELIEVE ME AND HAS NOT FIXED IT. 1ST TIME AUTO BRAKING - SEPT 14 2018 WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ON EL CAMINO BLVD, IT BRAKED HARD FOR NO REASON, NO TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME. 2ND TIME AUTO BRAKING - OCTOBER 3, 2018 ON LA

NHTSA complaint 11203801, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

crash · towed · 5,400 miles

VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND SHOWED 'SAFETY MODE SEE OWNERS MANUAL' AFTER SUSTAINING MINOR FRONT END DAMAGE IN A COLLISION WITH A DEER. UNABLE TO MOVE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOPPING LOCATION ON A RURAL INTERSTATE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES UNTIL 'SAFETY MODE' EVENTUALLY RESET AND ALLOWED LIMP-HOME POWER. THIS FEATURE IS QUITE UNSAFE AND PLACED MY FAMILY AND I AT SIGNIFICANT RISK.

NHTSA complaint 11271310. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
The driver side liftgate strut broke; the liftgate raised normally and when reached the fully opened position it immediately started to close very rapidly, this could have easily hit someone quite hard in the head. The Liftgate was then stuck in a halfway opened position and was unable to close fully. I was able to manually raise the liftgate and when released again slammed down to a halfway open position, and sill could not close the liftgate. I raised it again and propped it open and removed the driver side lift strut and noticed that water had severely infiltrated the strut mechanism and corroded the springs to the point of failure; the spring were broken in many places. There were no

NHTSA complaint 11738614, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

7,600 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Volvo XC40. The contact stated while at a stop sign or a stop light, the engine revved loudly, and the vehicle suddenly lunged forward out of control. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 7,600.

NHTSA complaint 11720661. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
The component that failed was the Brake pedal, it was unresponsive while driving on the freeway, it was hard to push and the vehicle would not come to a complete stop. My safety along with my daughter was put at risk due to nearly colliding into several vehicles due to not being able to stop vehicle. I had to tow the vehicle to the nearest shop where it is currently. During the incident the brake light came on. The shop where the vehicle is currently is stating that it appears to have a faulty Brake Vacuum Pump.

NHTSA complaint 11662378. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
Under Engine Cover came loose and fall during highway driving. It tuned out that 5 bolts that suppose to secure that cover were missing (per repair shop) . Fallen cover broke on few pieces and those pieces could impact breaking and vehicle instability causing incident with injuries and fatalities.

NHTSA complaint 11658493. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

42,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that the gear shifter knob had detached. The contact stated that the knob was not welded to the lever. The contact became aware that crazy glue had been used to secure the shifter knob. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into gear; and while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter detached. The contact used the button to start the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and confirmed that the gear shifter knob was glued on. The knob was reglued; however, after going through a car wash, the knob detached again. The vehicle was repaired, but the

NHTSA complaint 11623156, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Diagnostic code failure P0422 Evap system failure had emission testing done recently about two weeks ago . Car was service by Volvo in March 2024 and nonissues . Low mileage on car under 20k This should be recalled as many on online forums are having the same issue . Faulty manufacturing and Volvo should issue recall .

NHTSA complaint 11607460. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Volvo XC40

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 11 2 —
2024 28 4 —
2023 46 4 —
2022 37 3 —
2021 52 5 —
2020 12 1 —

Other 2019 Volvo models

XC90 42 XC60 36 S60 25

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Volvo on this site — 71 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst