Problems · NHTSA complaints

2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Twin problems

Owners filed 25 complaints about the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge Twin with NHTSA between Oct 2022 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (7).

Complaints
25
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system7
  2. Power train4
  3. Steering4
  4. Service brakes3
  5. Structure3
  6. Back over prevention3
  7. Vehicle speed control2
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2
  9. Visibility/wiper2
  10. Lane departure2
  11. Forward collision avoidance2
  12. Suspension2
  13. Engine1
  14. Air bags1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20221
20238
20245
20256
20265

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

7 reports1 crash
“On October 20, 2026, while driving my 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge to work, the center infotainment touchscreen and the navigation map portion of the instrument display behind the steering wheel unexpectedly went black. The speedometer and EV power gauge remained visible. The displays were black for approximately 15 seconds before the Volvo logo appeared and the infotainment system began rebooting. Full operation returned approximately two minutes after the initial outage. I did not initiate the restart. The unexpected loss of the touchscreen and navigation display while the vehicle was moving was distracting and concerning. The cause has not been diagnosed. I contacted Volvo Customer Care to report the incident and was told it was not a known issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11772390

Power train

4 reports
“Volvo offers a One-Pedal Drive (OPD) where the car can be driven exclusively with the accelerator on its C40 electric cars. Foot off is braking and foot on is accelerating. While using this mode I experienced an uncommanded acceleration of the vehicle. I was creeping forward, applying slight pressure on the accelerator, when the car lurched forward suddenly and was close to impacting a stopped car in front of me. The amount the car accelerated did not match the amount of pressure I exerted on the accelerator pedal. After the car in front of me moved up, I again began to creep and again the car began to lurch forward suddenly in a manner that did not match the amount of pressure I exerted on the pedal. After this I turned off OPD and made a report to Volvo regarding the uncommanded acceleration incident. Road conditions were dry, weather was clear and about 85-90F, there was one car in front of me, and I almost exclusively used OPD before this incident so I was familiar with the pressures required to accelerate”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11764597

Steering

4 reports
“Persistent steering wheel vibration at highway speeds (60-80 mph), present from the first drive within two hours of taking delivery of this Certified Pre-Owned vehicle on April 14, 2026 at 21,075 miles. No warning lamps or messages. The vibration is constant at highway speed, not intermittent, causing driver fatigue and distraction during sustained highway driving. This is a known defect documented in Volvo Technical Journal TJ 36752.3.0, classified under function group 4661 (drive shaft). Kline Volvo of Maplewood, MN confirmed the vibration and performed the TJ-prescribed repairs: tire balancing, tire replacement, and driver's airbag module replacement containing an oscillation damper. Volvo's own TJ notes this repair only "lessens" the vibration. The vibration improved but in my assessment has not been fully resolved. A second Volvo dealer's service manager independently acknowledged the issue and consulted Volvo's regional service representative, who confirmed no further fix is currently available beyond the TJ repair. I have escalated to Volvo executive leadership in writing and am awaiting response. The vehicle is available for inspection.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2026SteeringODI 11737627

Service brakes

3 reports1 crash
“I purchased a used 2023 Volvo C40 that was represented as Certified Pre-Owned. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle developed persistent grinding noises during braking, vibration, and mechanical noises that occur even after normal driving. The vehicle has been returned to the selling Volvo dealer multiple times for diagnosis and repair. Dealer service records state that brake rust was “cleaned” and that the issue was resolved; however, the grinding noise persisted immediately upon pickup. Multiple dealership employees acknowledged hearing the noise. The dealer drove the vehicle over 140 miles attempting to replicate the issue, but no permanent repair was made. I later observed significant corrosion and deterioration on brake and suspension-related components. In addition, the vehicle produces a loud thumping noise from the air conditioning system, which was documented via video and heard by dealership management, but the dealer stated they could not replicate the issue. Despite repeated service visits, the braking noise and mechanical concerns remain unresolved. I am concerned these conditions may affect braking performance, vehicle stability, and overall vehicle safety.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 20, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakesODI 11712259

Structure

3 reports
“I was at a traffic light today and my rear passenger window just completely spider webbed, while my daughter was in the back seat. I had to pull over and clean as much glass from the window to prevent falling on her and causing any additional damage. There were no other vehicles or pedestrians around. The only thing I can think of is that it was temperature related from being in the sun for a few hours and then having the AC on for about 5 minutes. I have researched on different volvo forums and threads and see other owners having similar issues. [XXX] [XXX] Thermal stress and expansion: When exposed to high temperatures, the glass expands, and if this expansion is uneven (perhaps due to varying thicknesses or materials), it creates thermal stress, potentially weakening the glass. When I reported the incident to the dealership they denied any other complaints or recalls instantly put the blame on an external impact without even inspecting the vehicle. There has been no official inspection by any party. The soonest the dealer will see it is on 8/12/25”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2025StructureODI 11679601

Back over prevention

3 reports
“After having our car repaired per NHTSA recall 25V-282 we are still having issues with malfunctions of the backup camera system including warning messages that the camera is unavailable during attempts to drive in reverse.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2025Back over preventionODI 11677143
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.