2019 Volvo XC40 Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11738614

Incident

May 17, 2026

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 ID

11720661

Incident

Feb 24, 2026

Mileage

7,600 mi

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 ID

11662378

Incident

May 18, 2025

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 ID

11658493

Incident

Mar 25, 2025

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 failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle would be held for 24 hours to see if the glue would hold the part in place. The dealer informed the contact that the gear shifter might have to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000.

NHTSA ID

11623156

Incident

Oct 31, 2024

Mileage

42,000 mi

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 ID

11607460

Incident

Aug 9, 2024

Both front coil springs broke with under 30,000 miles on vehicle. No warning, just a thump thump.. broken springs could have punctured the front tires. Repair costly!

NHTSA ID

11607078

Incident

Jun 25, 2024

Air bag not functioning related to seatbelt failure. Will not tighten on sudden stops.

NHTSA ID

11587293

Incident

Nov 14, 2023

I stopped at a gas station and the fuel door would not open. I tried multiple times locking and unlocking the vehicle with the key fob. As I was driving home, I stopped at three other gas stations. All three times, I still could not open the fuel door. This happened when I initially purchased the car in 2019. I reported it to the Volvo dealer while standing at the gas station. I played with the key fob for about 20 minutes until it finally opened. I remember looking up this issue on the [XXX] and it had been reported numerous times. I stopped in at the Volvo dealership near me. When I told them what was happening, they asked if it was a 2024 XC40. So, the problem exists even in the current year's models. The dealership played around with the key fob, then pried the door open, I assume with a screwdriver, and charged me $50. I could have done that when I got home....for free. There is no option to open the fuel door manually, and there is no option to turn off the fuel door lock - which creates a safety issue! This car runs on gasoline. If I can't fuel my car, I am stuck. There should be an option not to lock the fuel door. I am not worried about anyone siphoning gas. I am worried about traveling on a highway or rural area and not being able to open the fuel door. I guess I'll keep a screwdriver in my car. My 2019 XC40 was the first year the car was introduced. The fact that 2024 models still have the same problem means Volvo knows the problem exists. Their mechanics know as well. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11578754

Incident

Mar 21, 2024

My 2019 volvos' xc40 center console has been glitching and blacking out while driving. I rely on this system to navigate and when it blacks out, it does not resume operation till I restart my car. I mentioned this while getting my car serviced and was told I needed to pay a $250 fee to get my system updated and I couldn't complete the update on my own. The update can only be completed by an authorized dealer and there is a charge associated with it. This practice is negligent and unacceptable as the lack of updates results in safety concerns and is not just perk. I contacted customer service and they apologized for the inconvenience. This is not an inconvenience, it is negligent and a safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11563632

Incident

Jan 4, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11561934

Incident

Nov 7, 2023

I was involved in an accident with my 2019 Volvo xc40. I believe the cause of the accident was due to the emergency braking system that activated when I hit water that accumulated on the road I was traveling. I was accelerating and the braking caused the vehicle to swerve uncontrollably resulting in some minor body damage to the passenger side as contact was made with some roadside objects. Unfortunately the incident caused over $10,000.00 in front end damages, which is covered by my insurance. This emergency braking i. e. forward collision avoidance automatic emergency braking, has the possibility of causing a more severe accident. I believe a software update was instituted, but the Volvo dealership never mentioned this update when I had my car serviced the past 3 years.

NHTSA ID

11520845

Incident

Mar 13, 2023

Front seat belts came on suddenly while stopped at light. Bruised front passengers neck. No car in front or near in rear.

NHTSA ID

11513617

Incident

Mar 23, 2023

The first incident happened back in Oct 2022. I took the car to local Volvo dealer, Rusnak Pasadena, and they said I needed the secondary battery replaced. They replaced it and the car worked for a few weeks until the alarm regarding the power steering failure came on again while my wife was turning left. I brought the car home carefully since it was a short distance from home. My wife was very scared because she almost had an accident and she doesn’t want to drive it any more….We didn’t drive the car for more than a month. On Jan 5, 2023, I took the car to the Rusnak dealer in Pasadena Ca. and they diagnosed it as: “Internal failure in power steering rack” needed replacement (see attached). They quoted me more than $3,350 to be fixed and they were not sure if warranty of 4 years would cover it. We then took it to JK Volvo Specialists, who I have known for years . They made a special order via Rusnak Volvo for the steering gear unit and it took two weeks to get it …See attached invoice that details the repairs needed to be replaced and total cost of $2500. This caused us to have to rent a car for a week, while we waited for the part to arrive. An additional $235. We believe that the failure of this electrical power steering, was not due to our neglect or error, and according to NHTSA report which states : “Electrical system malfunctions run deep enough to put people in danger, and in fact Campaign number 18V00000 states that some models, such as xc40, have faulty Vehicle Connectivity Module software..."

NHTSA ID

11509510

Incident

Oct 23, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11504901

Incident

Jul 10, 2022

Mileage

26,000 mi

Earlier today I submitted a complaint, NHTSA Tracking Number 11498747. Would it be possible to send this back to me as I would prefer to modify it? Please do not post it now. Thanks, Craig Wenger [email protected] 910-471-7653

NHTSA ID

11498762

Incident

Dec 19, 2022

The vehicle has approximately 16,000 miles on it. It began to shudder in the front end when the brakes were applied at any speed. I contacted the dealer, Parkway Volvo of Wilmington, NC concerning the problem and was told that the vehicle had just gone out of warranty. On December 16, 2022, I took the vehicle to Derhams Alignment and Auto Repair, Wilmington NC to have the problem diagnosed. They found that the discs of the disc brakes on all four wheels were warped. They recommended replacement of these to repair the problem. Following this I took the car to Parkway Volvo on December 19, 2022, for a second opinion. Parkway came back with the same diagnosis and recommended that the discs be turned to straighten out the surface. I had this done at a cost of $420, and it repaired the problem. There is no reason that a vehicle with 16,000 miles should have warped discs unless it is abused, which this one has not been. I believe that the brake discs are made from inferior steel. I have been driving Volvos for over 20 years and the discs last well over 100,000 miles without an issue. I believe that Volvo is no longer using Swedish steel and instead importing the discs. The Volvo dealer made a number of excuses for the reason for the warping, one being that we have not used the car enough and/or that the electronic emergency brake warps the back discs if the car is parked to long. The car is garaged and parked on a level surface, without the emergency brake on. Also, this does not explain the front disc warping. I do not think that any of their excuses are reasonable, and I believe that Volvo should replace the discs with properly manufactured and safe ones without a charge. I am unable to find the receipt from Derhams Alignment at the moment, but would be glad to get a duplicate and submit it if you need it. Sincerely, Craig A. Wenger

NHTSA ID

11498747

Incident

Dec 22, 2022

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 ID

11476431

Incident

Jan 20, 2022

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND MY BACKUP ALARM FAILED TO SOUND AS WELL AS MY BACKUP BREAKING SYSTEM. THE RESULT WAS ME BACKING UP INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM WAS REPORTED TO THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP AND THEY DENIED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER WE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE AND THAT THE BACK UP SYSTEM WAS NOT ALARMING OR BREAKING CORRECTLY AND FAILED TO ALARM OR BREAK INTERMITTENTLY. VOLVO DENIED THAT THE PROBLEMS WERE RELATED, HOWEVER THE RECALL CLEARLY STATED EXACTLY THE PROBLEM I HAD REPORTED EARLIER.

NHTSA ID

11352785

Incident

Oct 3, 2019

Mileage

137 mi

VOLVO'S PILOT ASSIST SYSTEM DISENGAGES WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR ALARM. THIS HAPPENS WHENEVER LANE MARKINGS ARE NOT VISIBLE OR IF THE CAMERA SYSTEM IS BLOCKED BY SUNSHINE. HOWEVER, IN ANY SCENARIO, THE PILOT ASSIST SYSTEM MUST ALERT DRIVER IF IT'S DISENGAGING. THE SYSTEM DISENGAGED MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT WARNING WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITH PILOT ASSIST ON AND TILL NOW VOLVO HASN'T TAKEN ANY ACTION TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329256

Incident

Jun 13, 2020

Mileage

17,200 mi

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 ID

11271310

Incident

Oct 27, 2019

Mileage

5,400 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 VOLVO XC40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE FEATURE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY. WHILE SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN TO 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD BEGIN ACCELERATING INDEPENDENTLY. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS STARTED TO ILLUMINATE, A BEEPING NOISE OCCURRED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD REDIRECT INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KLINE NISSAN (3090 HWY 61 N, MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109, (877) 284-5230) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE MUST BE A GLITCH AND THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN UPDATED THE SOFTWARE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000.

NHTSA ID

11270493

Incident

Jul 1, 2018

Mileage

2,000 mi

MY CAR HAS LESS THAN THREE THOUSAND MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED IN LATE MAY 2019. I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN SUDDENLY, I HEARD A LOUD BUZZ AND THE CAR STOPPED AND STARTED COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT THE NEXT TRAFFIC LIGHT, ONLY THIS TIME, IT KEPT SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T SEEM TO BELIEVE ME, AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS DENIED MY REQUEST FOR REPURCHASE, DESPITE THE SERIOUS SAFETY RISK THIS PRESENTS.

NHTSA ID

11252790

Incident

Aug 21, 2019

Mileage

2,700 mi

CHECK ENGINE EMISSIONS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON; HAVE HAD 3 SERVICE VISITS TO DEALER (RESULTING IN SAME PART BEING REPLACED TWICE, ONE OR MORE SOFTWARE UPDATES, ONE COMPLETE SOFTWARE RELOAD) AND NOW AM GETTING LIGHT ON AGAIN WHICH WILL REQUIRE YET A FOURTH SERVICE VISIT. (NB VISIT 1 WAS IN SUMMER '18 WHEN CAR WAS NEW; VISITS 2-4 ARE ALL IN SUMMER 2019, COMMENCING ALMOST EXACTLY ONE YEAR LATER IN SUMMER WEATHER CONDITIONS (HOT HUMID RAINY)

NHTSA ID

11244905

Incident

Jul 30, 2019

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 JOLLA SHORES ROAD GOING ABOUT 35 AND NO TRAFFIC IN FRONT, IT HIT BRAKES HARD. 3RD TIME NOV. 6 2018 ON EL CAMINO REAL GOING ABOUT 45 MPH, NO CAR IN FRONT AND IT HIT BRAKES HARD. 4TH TIME,JAN. 19, 2019 I WAS APPROACHING STOPLIGHT. WHILE SLOWING IT SUDDENLY HIT BRAKES HARD FOR NO REASON. 5TH TIME, MARCH 4, 2019, IT HAPPENED TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON LA JOLLA SHORES RD. GOING ABOUT 35 MPH IT HIT BRAKES HARD ALMOST CAUSING THE CAR BEHIND ME TO COLLIDE WITH ME. HAD CAR SERVICED MARCH 14, 2019 AND THEY UPLOADED NEW SOFTWARE TO FIX PROBLEM. 7TH TIME MARCH 16 GOING 50 MPH DID AUTO BRAKING HARD AND NO TRAFFIC WHILE ON COAST HWY. 8 TIME ON APRIL 22 DID IT TWO TIMES IN OCEANSIDE GOING 45 MPH ON COAST HWY. LASTLY, ON APRIL 23 IT HAD REAR COLLISION ALARM AND TIGHTENED SEAT BELT SO HARD IT INJURED BY CHEST AND SIDE (STILL HURTS TWO DAYS LATER). I WAS IN LEFT TURN LANE AND CAR PASSED SAFELY ON RIGHT. DEALER SERVICE PERSON SEEMED NOT TO BELIEVE ME AND SAID TO WAIT FOR REGULAR SERVICE.

NHTSA ID

11203801

Incident

Apr 22, 2019

Mileage

5,110 mi