Skip to content
MotorFiable

Volvo carsAlso sold as Volvo EC40

Volvo C40 problems (2021–today)

The only engine of the Volvo C40 that we have documented, the Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40), has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for Single Motor Extended Range 82 kWh, 252–299 hp, rear-wheel drive (2023–present) and Twin Motor 82 kWh, 421–442 hp, all-wheel drive (2023–present); «With caution» for Twin Motor 78 kWh, 408 hp, all-wheel drive (2020–2023) and Single Motor 69 kWh, 231–238 hp, front-wheel drive (2021–2023).[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Outside the engine: Outside the electric motor itself, the sources consulted document only two recalls for the Volvo C40 relating to the braking system software: one in January 2023 (units built in 2022) and another in June 2025 for loss of braking in One Pedal Drive mode. Both are corrected with a software update. There is not enough reliability data to assess other faults.[7][8][9][10]

Volvo C40 (2021–today)
Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468105.9out of 10

Volvo C40 rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 4 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. Limited evidence: it is based on few sources or few documented faults, so it is not included in the rankings. Having few documented faults does not mean it is reliable: it may simply be little studied. How it is calculated

  • Electric motor6.12 faults
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension10.0No documented faults
  • Brakes5.72 faults
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering10.0No documented faults
  • Electrical system10.0No documented faults
  • Headlights and lights10.0No documented faults
  • Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior10.0No documented faults
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

The weak points of the Volvo C40

  1. 1Critical severity: Fire risk from overheating of the high-voltage battery in the XC40 Recharge (2020–2022)Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) engine
  2. 2Critical severity: Software fault in the brake control module with possible loss of braking assistanceBrakes
  3. 3Critical severity: Loss of braking after a long descent in One Pedal Drive mode due to brake module softwareBrakes · free repair (recall)
  4. 4High severity: Battery management software and high-voltage contactors causing power loss on the Polestar 2Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) engine

Documented engine

The first label is the most serious fault affecting that engine in this car; the second, our verdict for the versions it is fitted to. Each engine's risk index is calculated only from the faults that affect this car (how we calculate it). We only show engines we have documented with sources: if yours does not appear, we have not analysed it yet. View all engines

See what to check before buying

Outside the engine

2 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Recall R10329: loss of braking in B mode and One Pedal Drive. See the campaigns for the Volvo C40

11 sourcesHow we work

Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40)

Volvo and Polestar CMA: motores síncronos de 231 a 442 CV and baterías de 69 a 82 kWh · Electrical

In the C40
since 2021[6][11]
Names
C40 Recharge Single Motor · C40 Recharge Single Motor Extended Range · C40 Recharge Twin Motor
Faults that affect it
2 · all of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
39
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

Faults that affect the C40

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) has 4 documented faults in total.

  1. Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalTraction batteryFire risk from overheating of the high-voltage battery in the XC40 Recharge (2020–2022)Safety Gate (EU) published alert SR/01964/26 on 10 July 2026: the high-voltage battery of Volvo XC40s built between 2020 and 2022 can overheat and cause a fire (code R10388). The notice does not distinguish between the plug-in hybrid and the fully electric version.
  2. High severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsBattery management software and high-voltage contactors causing power loss on the Polestar 2Wikipedia records a recall of all Polestar 2 cars in October 2020 for a software fault that cut power while driving, and Bumper cites another, covering almost 2,400 cars from 2021, for the contactors in the battery control module, resolved with an update at the workshop. Bumper adds reports from UK owners showing the 'Propulsion System Service Required' warning.

C40 Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) pageAll versions and faults of the Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40)

Faults of the Volvo C40 outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, tyres, electronics and the rest of the car. They occur with any engine.

Checklist for buying a used Volvo C40

Check the advert or the paperwork to see which engine the car has and go through its section. Each point comes from a documented fault; you can tick them off as you inspect.

If it has the Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) (since 2021)

Fire risk from overheating of the high-voltage battery in the XC40 Recharge (2020–2022)

Critical severity

Battery management software and high-voltage contactors causing power loss on the Polestar 2

High severity

Wear parts for the Volvo C40

Brakes, wiper blades, pollen filter and battery, searched for this model. The exact part number depends on the engine and year: confirm it with the registration plate or VIN.

Affiliate links: if you buy from these shops, MotorFiable may receive a commission at no cost to you. Check compatibility against the registration plate or VIN before ordering. Affiliate links

Buying a Volvo C40?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Own a Volvo C40? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Volvo C40 reliable?

The only engine of the Volvo C40 that we have documented, the Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40), has high or critical severity faults in the versions it is fitted to. Our verdict depends on the version: «Buy» for Single Motor Extended Range 82 kWh, 252–299 hp, rear-wheel drive (2023–present) and Twin Motor 82 kWh, 421–442 hp, all-wheel drive (2023–present); «With caution» for Twin Motor 78 kWh, 408 hp, all-wheel drive (2020–2023) and Single Motor 69 kWh, 231–238 hp, front-wheel drive (2021–2023). Outside the electric motor itself, the sources consulted document only two recalls for the Volvo C40 relating to the braking system software: one in January 2023 (units built in 2022) and another in June 2025 for loss of braking in One Pedal Drive mode. Both are corrected with a software update. There is not enough reliability data to assess other faults.

What problems does the Volvo C40 have apart from the engine?

Outside the electric motor itself, the sources consulted document only two recalls for the Volvo C40 relating to the braking system software: one in January 2023 (units built in 2022) and another in June 2025 for loss of braking in One Pedal Drive mode. Both are corrected with a software update. There is not enough reliability data to assess other faults. The most important documented faults are: software fault in the brake control module with possible loss of braking assistance (brakes, critical severity) and loss of braking after a long descent in One Pedal Drive mode due to brake module software (brakes, critical severity).[7][8][9][10]

What faults does the Volvo C40 have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: fire risk from overheating of the high-voltage battery in the XC40 Recharge (2020–2022) (Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40), critical severity) and battery management software and high-voltage contactors causing power loss on the Polestar 2 (Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40), high severity).

What is the best year to buy a Volvo C40?

According to our rating by year, the best is 2026 (10.0/10); the worst rated is 2022 (6.4/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Does the Volvo C40 have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 2 campaigns for the Volvo C40, such as recall R10329: loss of braking in B mode and One Pedal Drive (2025). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[9][10]

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Polestar 2 (Wikipedia, inglés): recalls y especificacionesWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  2. Polestar 2 recall: over 4,500 models recalled due to power failure issueDriving Electric · Motoring press · published 2 November 2020 · consulted 30 October 2026
  3. Polestar 2 Problems / Reliability GuideBumper · Other source · published 2 July 2025 · consulted 30 October 2026
  4. Recall zbog opasnosti od požara: opoziv Volvo XC40 (Safety Gate SR/01964/26)Automania.hr · General press · published July 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in another language
  5. Fiabilité Volvo XC40 (2017): problèmes connusFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  6. Volvo C40 (Wikipedia, alemán): datos técnicosWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  7. Safety Gate A12/00184/23: Volvo V60, C40, XC40, XC60, XC90 (fallo de software del módulo de control de frenos)Comisión Europea – Safety Gate · Official body · published 2 February 2023 · consulted 9 October 2026
  8. Volvo ruft Autos wegen Software-Problems zurückBerliner Zeitung (dpa) · General press · published 24 January 2023 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  9. Volvo recall: no braking effect with the pedal depressed (KBA 15229R)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 7 July 2025 · consulted 9 October 2026
  10. Volvo llama a revisión 14.000 híbridos y eléctricos por fallo en los frenosHíbridos y Eléctricos · Motoring press · published 20 June 2025 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Fiabilité Volvo C40 (2022): problèmes connusFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French