NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 12 owner complaints for the 2020 Volvo XC40. Most complaints involve electrical system (4) and power train (3). The EPA rates it 25–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“The cooling system cracked, malfunctioned and caused a domino effect of multiple repair issues costing at least 5,200. My car is currently at a Volvo dealer. My Safety: The possibility of the hot engine and hot wires could have resulted in a fire. This problem HAS been reproduced and confirmed by a Volvo dealer. The vehicle overheating was witnessed by the Fire Department and local police.. As far as sufficient Warning Lights or dashboard indications, the ONLY messages I received were 1} About 5 p.m. EST Battery indicator (at which point I pulled over immediately into Batteries Plus who said the battery wasn't fully charged- so they charged it and the light went off and they did not mention or report any other problems; About 9 p.m., 2 blocks from home, the "High Temperature" indicator went "ON" and so I pulled over into my driveway immediately. At 3 a.m. the car security alarm sounded and the hood was smoking at all angles so the Fire Department arrived in 5 minutes and disconnected the battery and stabilized the car within an hour and a half. The car was towed first thing in the morning. I am shocked that a 2020 Volvo would do this to me.”
“SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FOR ODI#11708898. I am providing additional documentation to this ODI case. I had to create a new complaint since there appears to be no way on-line to add this information. Gunther Volvo has not provided ANY status updates of my vehicle which has been in their possession since Sunday, January 4, 2026. The Director of Customer Experience, Nyam Smith had not responded to my email sent on 1/4/2026. Volvo Customer Care had assigned a case # for towing and for the safety incident but both the dealership and Volvo Customer Care have been unresponsive. I did not receive responses to my texts to the dealership asking for any updates, and Nyam Smith said in an email that I needed to get any updates from Volvo Customer Care. I called them to get an update but Pablo had no update and said he had to call the dealer! The Service Tech I had talked to on 1/5 about the car left me a voice mail at 5:05 PM on 1/5 stating that the foreman has been in contact with Volvo Engineering and that they had a few questions -- how many times had this issue occurred, how did I get the car to stop running and they requested a photo of the shoes I was wearing. I sent…”
“On 01/04/2026, while operating a gas-powered 2024 Volvo XC40, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) event while stationary at a red light. With the service brake fully depressed, the internal combustion engine began to surge and rev uncontrollably, making loud noises. The engine torque increased in direct response to increased brake pressure, eventually overcoming the braking system and forcing the vehicle forward into the 3-way intersection. Technical Details: Brake-Throttle Override (BTO) Failure: The vehicle’s safety logic failed to prioritize the brake signal over the uncommanded throttle increase. Shifter Interlock Malfunction: During the surge, the electronic gear selector was unresponsive, preventing shifting into Neutral (N) to disconnect power. Shifting capability only returned once the vehicle was brought to a forced stop. Prior Symptoms: Intermittent "idle flaring" and surging were noted 48 hours prior to the failure. Safety Risk: The vehicle moved into traffic against my intent and physical input, posing a high risk of collision. The car was towed by Volvo Road Assistance on 1/4/26 to the Volvo dealership later…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XC40 FWD Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 33 | 27 | $2,300 | 331 |
| XC40 AWD Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | $3,100 | 352 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (4), power train (3), engine (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2020 Volvo XC40 at 25–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Volvo XC40 5 out of 5 stars overall.