Problems · NHTSA complaints

2019 Volvo XC40 problems

Owners filed 30 complaints about the 2019 Volvo XC40 with NHTSA between Apr 2018 and May 2026. The most-cited component is engine (5).

Complaints
30
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine5
  2. Service brakes5
  3. Air bags4
  4. Structure3
  5. Seat belts3
  6. Forward collision avoidance3
  7. Vehicle speed control2
  8. Power train2
  9. Fuel/propulsion system2
  10. Electrical system2
  11. Suspension1
  12. Steering1
  13. Lane departure1
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)1

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 7, 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
20182
20198
20202
20210
20223
20235
20246
20252
20262

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

Engine

5 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 26, 2026Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11720661

Service brakes

5 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 21, 2025Service brakesODI 11662378

Air bags

4 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2019 Volvo XC40. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, while his wife was seated in the passenger’s side front seat using an orthopedic back support, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while not using the back support, the air bag sensor worked as designed. The contact stated that his wife used the back support due to physical issues and had used the lumbar support cushion to ease pain. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who advised that the only way to stop the sensor from being deactivated by the lumbar cushion was deactivating the sensor which was illegal. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2023Air bagsODI 11504901

Structure

3 reports1 crash
“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 warnings or symptoms prior to the failure. I have informed Volvo of the issue but have not yet taken to a dealer for service.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 18, 2026StructureODI 11738614

Seat belts

3 reports1 crash
“Air bag not functioning related to seatbelt failure. Will not tighten on sudden stops.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2024Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11587293

Forward collision avoidance

3 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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 warning messages or symptoms of a problem before this incident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 26, 2023Seat belts, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11561934
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026

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