Verdict
2020 Volvo XC40: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2020 Volvo XC40 — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Fewer reported complaints than most SUV.
Owners filed 11 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 85% of 2020 SUVs. Electrical System leads the reports (27%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2020 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
11
Reports to NHTSA, 2020
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
26
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 85% of 2020 SUVs
The bar is this car's percentile among 2020 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (27% of 11 reports), followed by power train (18%).
Share of all 11 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11581906, ODI 11513931, ODI 11481319.
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Forward Collision AvoidanceDec 2020 · 20V144000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29998.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
No NHTSA crash test is on record for this year. Some vehicles and model years were not tested or do not have a published NCAP result.
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XC40 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 23 | 33 | 27 |
| XC40 AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 22 | 30 | 25 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2020 Volvo XC40: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2020 Volvo XC40?
Owners filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the 2020 Volvo XC40 — fewer complaints than 85% of comparable 2020 SUVs, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2020 Volvo XC40?
The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (27% of complaints) and power train (18%).
How many recalls does the 2020 Volvo XC40 have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2020 Volvo XC40, covering components such as forward collision avoidance. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Volvo XC40 get?
The EPA rates the 2020 Volvo XC40 between 25 and 27 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.