Recalls
5campaigns
2 rear camera · 1 engine · 1 seat belt
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
52filed
Owner reports, 2019–2025 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
79mpg combined
$827/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
Electric· Automatic
3 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (5)
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 Volvo XC40. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2021 Volvo XC40. Not checked against your VIN.
Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111
Back over prevention · software
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence
- A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Car’s customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10333. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 16, 2026. This recall replaces previous NHTSA recall number 25V282. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V282 will need to have the new remedy performed.
90.9% repairedof 413,151 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 25V908000
Listed for 2021 Volvo XC40. Not checked against your VIN.
Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111
Back over prevention · software
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence
- A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10320.
95.1% repairedof 413,151 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 25V282000
Listed for 2021 Volvo XC40. Not checked against your VIN.
Missing Cross-Member Bolt in Engine Compartment
Engine
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2021 XC40 BEV vehicles. A bolt that secures the cross-member bracket for the electrical motor in the engine compartment may be loose or missing.
- Consequence
- A loose or missing bolt may decrease the structural protection of the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the cross-member bracket and install new bracket bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10128.
100% repairedof 4 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V881000
Listed for 2021 Volvo XC40. Not checked against your VIN.
Seat Belt Locking Retractor Malfunction/FMVSS 208
Seat belts
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence
- An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.
98.3% repairedof 19,149 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V682000
Listed for 2021 Volvo XC40. Not checked against your VIN.
High Voltage Disconnect May Cause Drive Power Loss
Electrical system · propulsion system · traction battery · management system/energy control module (bms/becm) · software
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2022 XC40 Recharge vehicles. The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) microprocessor may reset and cause the high voltage system to disconnect.
- Consequence
- A disconnected high voltage system can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will install a software update, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10078.
100% repairedof 2,278 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V109000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (52)
52 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
3involved a crash
0involved a fire
2injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 52 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 14 | 26.9% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 19.2% |
| Back over prevention | 8 | 15.4% |
| Unknown or other | 7 | 13.5% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 6 | 11.5% |
| Power train | 5 | 9.6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 9.6% |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 9.6% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 7.7% |
| Engine | 3 | 5.8% |
How 2021 compares with other XC40 years
Best and worst XC40 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 30 | 4 |
| 2020 | 12 | 1 |
| 2021 | 52 | 5 |
| 2022 | 37 | 3 |
| 2023 | 47 | 4 |
| 2024 | 28 | 4 |
| 2025 | 11 | 2 |
This year (2021)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 79 mpg combined
79
mpg combined
85
city
72
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $950
- CO₂ tailpipe
- —
- EPA class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
$827per year
$69per month
190gallons a year
Miles ÷ 79 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric · Automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 85 / 72 / 79 | $950 | — |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 32 / 26 | $2,600 | 340 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 30 / 25 | $3,300 | 359 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2021 XC40 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2021 Volvo XC40 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2021 Volvo XC40 have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 25V908000 (rear camera), 25V282000 (rear camera), 21V881000 (engine), 21V682000 (seat belt), 21V109000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2021 Volvo XC40 problems?
Owners filed 52 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (14), Fuel/propulsion system (10), Back over prevention (8) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2021 Volvo XC40 get?
EPA rates the Electric · Automatic version at 85 city, 72 highway and 79 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2021 XC40 compare with other years?
Among the 2019–2021 Volvo XC40 model years at least five years old, the 2020 drew the fewest complaints (12) and the 2021 the most (52). The 2021 drew 52. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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