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Volvo carsAlso sold as Volvo EX40

Volvo XC40 problems (2017–today)

All 3 engines of the Volvo XC40 that we have documented have high or critical severity faults: the D4/D5, the Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) and the Drive-E gasolina. The safest option is the Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) in the 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) versions, with a «Buy» verdict.[1][2]

Outside the engine: Outside the powertrain, the Volvo XC40 has built up several electronics-related safety campaigns: corrosion of the accelerator pedal sensor on the Recharge (2020-2021) and, across the whole range, a loss of software-controlled braking assistance in 2023. Overheating of the Recharge's battery is assessed under its electric drivetrain. All of these have a free fix at the official dealer network, and there are common, non-serious complaints of the infotainment system freezing.[3][4][5][6]

Volvo XC40 (2017–today)
Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.
02468105.7out of 10

Volvo XC40 rating: acceptable reliability

Calculated using only 16 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated

  • Engine5.5From 5.2 to 5.7 depending on the engine
  • Gearbox10.0No documented faults
  • Suspension8.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
  • Brakes7.02 faults and ITV (technical inspection)
  • Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
  • Steering7.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.9 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electrical system7.11 fault
  • Headlights and lights8.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
  • Electronics and infotainment9.31 fault
  • Climate control10.0No documented faults
  • Bodywork and interior7.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.9 times the defects normal for its age
  • Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults

Ranked 62 of 78 among the Compact SUVs with solid evidence. See the ranking

The weak points of the Volvo XC40

  1. 1High severity: High oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA)D4/D5 engine
  2. 2High severity: High oil consumption that can damage the turboDrive-E gasolina engine
  3. 3Critical 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
  4. 4Critical severity: Loss of electronic brake assistance due to a software faultBrakes · free repair (recall)
  5. 5Critical severity: Accelerator sensor cable corrosion on the Recharge, with risk of unintended accelerationElectrical system · free repair (recall)

Documented engines, from highest to lowest risk

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

3 recalls and campaigns documented, the latest: Recall for loss of electronic brake assistance. See the campaigns for the Volvo XC40

18 sourcesHow we work

D4/D5

Volvo D4/D5 (5 cilindros and VEA) · Diesel

In the XC40
2018–2020[7]
Names
D3 · D4
Faults that affect it
4 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
48
Moderate risk

Verdict for the version it uses

  • 2.0 D2/D3/D4/D5 VEA 4-cylinder (D4204T, 2013-2024)2013–2024 · 120–235 hp · D4204T

    With caution

    The most repeated fault in the reliability sources consulted is the EGR valve, followed by the DPF and, on the 190 hp D4, oil consumption that can end up damaging the turbo from 90,000-150,000 km; none is serious enough to rule it out, but check the emissions system history and the oil level.[8][9][10]

Faults that affect the XC40

Only those that affect the versions and years that this car used. The D4/D5 has 6 documented faults in total.

  1. High severityFrequency: CommonLubricationHigh oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA)On the 190 hp VEA D4, several owners document oil consumption that soars from 90,000-150,000 km (up to 1 litre per 1,000 km in one case), and Fiches-auto.fr warns that this lack of lubrication can end up damaging the turbo. It describes it as "the most sensitive engine" on the Volvo V60 page.
  2. Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlClogged EGR valve or EGR cooler leaking into the intakeYes, in both D4/D5 families: the EGR gets dirty or clogged, and its cooler can lose its seal and leak coolant into the intake. It appears in the XC60, S60, V40 and V60, between 56,000 and 180,000 km, with limp mode and, in some cases, several valve replacements.
  3. Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlDPF (particulate filter) blockage and incomplete regenerationsYes: the D4/D5's diesel particulate filter (DPF) can clog or give sensor faults when regenerations are not completed, almost always because of short journeys. Documented in the XC60 (9 cases out of 132 testimonies), the XC90 and the S60/V40 VEA, sometimes together with AdBlue warnings.
  4. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboDamaged charge air hose or pipe on the Volvo D4On the Volvo 2.0 D4 diesel an intercooler hose can be damaged, and on the 2010-2013 V60 a pipe bracket made it rub against the pulley (P0299, loss of power). Volvo corrected it with a service action and modified parts.

XC40 D4/D5 pageAll versions and faults of the D4/D5

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

Safest option

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

In the XC40
since 2020[1][3]
Names
XC40 Recharge Single Motor · XC40 Recharge Twin Motor
Faults that affect it
4 · 3 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
45
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

Faults that affect the XC40

  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: OccasionalPower electronicsFaulty inverter causing loss of traction in the first Polestar 2 unitsIn October 2020 Polestar recalled cars for faulty inverters after owners reported loss of power: 4,586 cars in Europe, 3,150 already delivered, and the remedy was to replace the inverter in a single visit. Bumper traces the origin to the tin coating on the capacitor terminals.
  3. 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.
  4. Medium severityFrequency: RareCoolingFaulty high-voltage coolant heater (HVCH) in the first Polestar 2 production runPolestar launched a service campaign in November 2020 to replace the high-voltage coolant heater, which warms the cabin and the battery, on the first production run: 138 cars in the UK according to Driving Electric.

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

Drive-E gasolina

Volvo Drive-E gasolina (VEA de 4 and 3 cilindros) · Petrol

In the XC40
since 2017[3][13][14]
Names
T2 · T3 · T4 · T5 · B3 · B4
Faults that affect it
4 · 1 of high or critical severity
Risk index on this car
43
Moderate risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

  • The best-documented fault is high oil consumption on some units (up to 1 litre per 1,000 km according to a German used-car analysis), which in one known case ended up damaging the turbo; carbon build-up on the intake valves, typical of direct injection, is also documented. Neither is acknowledged by Volvo with a specific campaign, so you should check the service history and oil consumption before buying.[8][15][16]

  • 1.5 T2/T3 and B3 mild hybrid 3-cylinder (B3154T, Drive-E, since 2018)since 2018 · 122–163 hp · B3154T

    With caution

    With less accumulated mileage in the car parc than the 4-cylinder, the data available is scarcer: we have found only one documented case of a coolant reservoir leak on a Volvo V40 with the T2 engine, and the same intake valve carbon build-up that affects the whole Drive-E family because of its direct injection. There is not enough data on the long-term reliability of the B3 mild-hybrid version.[9][14][17]

Faults that affect the XC40

  1. High severityFrequency: CommonLubricationHigh oil consumption that can damage the turboYes: on the more powerful versions (T5, T6, B5), a German used-car analysis documents oil consumption of up to 1 litre per 1,000 km, and on one Volvo XC60 that lack of lubrication ended up damaging the turbo at 150,000 km. Volvo does not acknowledge it with a campaign of its own.
  2. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeCarbon build-up on injectors and intake valves due to direct injectionYes: as with other direct-injection engines, the Drive-E's injectors and intake valves accumulate carbon over time, with possible loss of power and rough idling. Two used-car analyses (Volvo XC40 and V90) flag it as a known weak point of this engine.
  3. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCoolingLeak from the expansion tank or faulty cap in the cooling systemOn the Volvo V40 II with the T2 Drive-E engine, two owners document a leak from the coolant expansion tank (17,900 km) and a faulty cooling system cap (49,000 km). These are isolated cases, but they involve a component that is cheap to check at any service.Appears at around 17,900 km
  4. Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeRecall over the plastic intake manifoldOn the Volvo V60 and V90 with the Drive-E engine, two German analyses document a recall over a plastic intake manifold that can deform or overheat on units built up to 2018. We have not confirmed the official reference or whether it also affects the diesel.

XC40 Drive-E gasolina pageAll versions and faults of the Drive-E gasolina

Faults of the Volvo XC40 outside the engine

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

What the MOT inspection finds on the Volvo XC40

Official Dutch MOT (APK) inspection data: 1,135 inspections of 756 cars registered between 2017 and 2022, compared with cars of the same age.

  • Suspension and axles· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Brakes· counts in the score

    Defects in 1.3% of inspections; in cars of its age, 1.9%.

    Average

  • Steering· counts in the score

    Defects in 0.4% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.4%.

    Average

  • Headlights and lights· counts in the score

    Defects in 4.9% of inspections; in cars of its age, 8.1%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Rust and bodywork· counts in the score

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.1%.

    Average

  • Exhaust and emissions

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.5%.

    Fewer defects than average

  • Fluid leaks

    Defects in 0% of inspections; in cars of its age, 0.2%.

    Average

  • Glass, wipers and mirrors

    Defects in 2.6% of inspections; in cars of its age, 3.2%.

    Average

  • Tyres and wheels· depends mostly on maintenance

    Defects in 10% of inspections; in cars of its age, 12.8%.

    Average

The inspection measures wear and the defects visible at a periodic check, not engine or electronics failures. Source: RDW Open Data (public domain). How we calculate it · opendata.rdw.nl

Checklist for buying a used Volvo XC40

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 D4/D5 (2018–2020)

High oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA)

High severity

Clogged EGR valve or EGR cooler leaking into the intake

Medium severity

DPF (particulate filter) blockage and incomplete regenerations

Medium severity

Damaged charge air hose or pipe on the Volvo D4

Medium severity

If it has the Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) (since 2020)

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

Critical severity

Faulty inverter causing loss of traction in the first Polestar 2 units

High severity

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

High severity

Faulty high-voltage coolant heater (HVCH) in the first Polestar 2 production run

Medium severity

If it has the Drive-E gasolina (since 2017)

High oil consumption that can damage the turbo

High severity

Carbon build-up on injectors and intake valves due to direct injection

Medium severity

Leak from the expansion tank or faulty cap in the cooling system

Medium severity

Recall over the plastic intake manifold

Medium severity

Wear parts for the Volvo XC40

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 XC40?

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Own a Volvo XC40? Tell us what faults you have had, at what mileage and how much you paid. Report your fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Volvo XC40 reliable?

All 3 engines of the Volvo XC40 that we have documented have high or critical severity faults: the D4/D5, the Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) and the Drive-E gasolina. The safest option is the Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) in the 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) versions, with a «Buy» verdict. Outside the powertrain, the Volvo XC40 has built up several electronics-related safety campaigns: corrosion of the accelerator pedal sensor on the Recharge (2020-2021) and, across the whole range, a loss of software-controlled braking assistance in 2023. Overheating of the Recharge's battery is assessed under its electric drivetrain. All of these have a free fix at the official dealer network, and there are common, non-serious complaints of the infotainment system freezing.

Which Volvo XC40 engine is the most reliable?

Among the 3 engines we have documented, the safest option is the Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40) in the 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) versions, with a «Buy» verdict. This is the most recent version and we have found no campaigns or faults for the drivetrain specific to it; the units have still covered only a short distance.[1][2]

What problems does the Volvo XC40 have apart from the engine?

Outside the powertrain, the Volvo XC40 has built up several electronics-related safety campaigns: corrosion of the accelerator pedal sensor on the Recharge (2020-2021) and, across the whole range, a loss of software-controlled braking assistance in 2023. Overheating of the Recharge's battery is assessed under its electric drivetrain. All of these have a free fix at the official dealer network, and there are common, non-serious complaints of the infotainment system freezing. The most important documented faults are: loss of electronic brake assistance due to a software fault (brakes, critical severity), accelerator sensor cable corrosion on the Recharge, with risk of unintended acceleration (electrical system, critical severity), the brake pedal can move out of position due to faulty assembly (brakes, high severity) and infotainment system freezes and restarts (electronics and infotainment, low severity).[3][4][5][6]

What faults does the Volvo XC40 have?

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: high oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA) (D4/D5, high severity), high oil consumption that can damage the turbo (Drive-E gasolina, high severity), 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), faulty inverter causing loss of traction in the first Polestar 2 units (Volvo-Polestar CMA eléctrico (Polestar 2, C40, XC40), high 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 XC40?

According to our rating by year, the best are 2026, 2025 and 2024 (8.5/10); the worst rated is 2020 (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 XC40 have recalls?

Yes: we have documented 3 campaigns for the Volvo XC40, such as recall for loss of electronic brake assistance (2023). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.[4]

Sources

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

  1. Volvo C40 (Wikipedia, alemán): datos técnicosWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  2. Polestar 2 (Wikipedia, inglés): recalls y especificacionesWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  3. Fiabilité Volvo XC40 (2017) : tous les problèmes recensésfiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Volvo ruft Autos wegen Software-Problems zurückBerliner Zeitung (dpa) · General press · published 24 January 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. Recall zbog opasnosti od požara: opoziv Volvo XC40 odnosi se i na hrvatske kupceAutomania.hr · General press · published September 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in another language
  6. Volvo-XC40-Rückruf wegen Brandgefahr: Hochvoltbatterie kann überhitzenPresseportal · General press · published 15 July 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Volvo XC40 - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
  8. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Polestar 2 recall: over 4,500 models recalled due to power failure issueDriving Electric · Motoring press · published 2 November 2020 · consulted 30 October 2026
  12. Polestar 2 Problems / Reliability GuideBumper · Other source · published 2 July 2025 · consulted 30 October 2026
  13. Volvo XC40Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Volvo XC40 (seit 2017) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published March 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  15. Volvo XC60 II (ab 2017) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published November 2022 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  16. Volvo V90 – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published January 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  17. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V40Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  18. Volvo V60 D4 2,0 16V CDI - Fahrzeug hat keine Leistung (P0299)HELLA Tech World · Technical documentation · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German