Volvo C40 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Volvo C40 options? We analyzed 3 model years (2022–2024) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Volvo C40 has 38 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls across model years 2022–2024. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
- Make
- Volvo
- Model
- C40
- Model years analyzed
- 2022–2024 (3 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 38
- Safety recall campaigns
- 4
- Crash-related complaints
- 3
- Fire-related complaints
- 2
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2023 (23 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Average
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
AverageThe VOLVO C40 has 38 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. 3 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 38 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 4 federal recall campaigns
- 3 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
4 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2022–2024. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 38 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
38 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Multiple recurring electronic, keyless entry, and drivability defects on my 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle was purchased used through Vroom and financed by UACC. Serious problems existed prior to the factory warranty expiration in April 2026. Volvo San Francisco was made aware of the issues on multiple occasions but claimed they “could not replicate” the problems, apparently to avoid liability for what is clearly a lemon vehicle. A software update was performed but did not resolve or improve the issues. The defects include: noticeable delay in throttle response when pressing the gas pedal (making acceleration unpredictable); the infotainment and driver information center screen going completely black while the vehicle is in motion; failure of the backup camera system; and sudden, unexpected jerking of the vehicle for no apparent reason. Additionally, the key fob and Volvo Cars app frequently become completely unresponsive. The app will show the current vehicle status (for example, “Locked” with battery/range info) but unlock and remote commands do not work. On XXX, the situation escalated severely. The car was locked and would not respond to the key fob buttons or the Volvo app. I had to use the manual detachable key blade from the fob to unlock the driver’s door. Once inside, placing the full key fob on the backup reader produced no response at all. The center screen remained completely black, there was no power-up of the systems, and the vehicle would not start. The car is now in a completely unresponsive state. These problems affect the keyless entry system, key fob detection module (likely related to the TCAM or similar electronics), infotainment and power management systems, electronic throttle control, and overall vehicle communications. The vehicle is readily available for inspection and testing. The issues have been consistently reproduced over time. These defects substantially impair the use, value, and safety INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The car’s infotainment system repeatedly freezes and force restarts which causes the HVAC system to stop working and the windshield defroster to stop cleaning fog and frost leading to poor visibility.
Intermittent rear backup camera displayed camera unavailable instead of live video footage of what's behind the car. Inspection available upon request. Reduced visibility to rear of vehicle may lead to unsafe vehicle reverse. Problem hard to reproduce at dealer or independent service center as issue is intermittent and inconsistent. The component has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or anyone else. The center console will display backup camera is unavailable. Issue remains unresolved since multiple updates. Car is on latest version 4.2.13
On multiple occasions, the vehicle’s infotainment system has malfunctioned, and when this occurs, the turn signals stop working entirely. This failure has happened while the vehicle was in active use, including during a long trip, leaving us without functioning turn signals for an extended period. This creates a serious and immediate safety hazard for both the occupants of the vehicle and other drivers. After seeking advice, we were instructed to reboot the infotainment system. Once rebooted, the turn signals began working again. However, several weeks later, the same failure occurred again while driving. The turn signals stopped functioning without warning, forcing us to pull over and restart the infotainment system in order to restore basic signaling functionality. This issue appears to be recurring and directly affects a critical safety system of the vehicle.
The rear camera has never worked properly. When I put the car in reverse, sometimes it doesn’t show an image. This happens most days. This has been over a minute in duration, though sometimes shorter. This has happened hundreds of times. It also sometimes will display a still image when moving, which of course is very dangerous as it gives a sense of safety and being clear when anything could move into the rear area without me knowing. I have done the recall, which was an ineffective software update. I am on software 3.7, which has the latest, and it didn’t work. Volvo offers no fix other than to reset the computer over and over. This doesn’t fix it. It is a hardware issue in which the computer isn’t capable of running all its functions. The only fix is hardware, and Volvo will need to be forced to do that. Many people complain of this issue. It is rampant in all the online communities.
This vehicle is an electric vehicle and driven primarily in one pedal drive. When stopped, without any input to the accelerator, it will sometimes start moving forward. This has happened at least fifty times in the 2.5 years I have owned this vehicle. I have been fortunate enough to not strike another car (or pedestrian) at a stop light when the car will suddenly start moving forward, but there have been a few close calls. I see in Volvo support forums that this is a known problem and I hope the there can be an investigation. Have brought this with the manufacturer to no avail.
Read 14 more owner reports
I drive in the standard one pedal driving mode which allows for the car to brake and come to a complete stop using the regen system by simply releasing the accelerator. The issue is that I had come to a stop behind another car at traffic lights with my foot of the accelerator. In one pedal driving there is no need to hold the brake pedal as the car should so this itself. After a few seconds of being stationary the car, without me touching the accelerator, left forward and started to drive on itself. I was able to stop this by applying the brake before I hit the car in front. The car should not have done this.
The backup camera on this model has serious reliability issues. It freezes while backing up, and frequently displays a "camera temporarily unavailable" message. Volvo attempted to improve the reliability with a software update this year, but it did very little. The fact that it displays the temporarily unavailable message reveals that Volvo clearly knows about the problem, and they think displaying this message is acceptable. The dealer service manager admits the problem is with the software, and has been discussed at length on internet forums. This car has terrible rear visibility, and a functioning backup camera is absolutely required for safe operation.
Message popped up “cameras temporarily unavailable” and backup and surround view cameras aren’t working. A quick google search and it seems to be a very common software problem
I exclusively use one pedal drive (OPD) for my 2022 Volvo C40 EV. I have a log of about a dozen incidents in 2.5yrs where OPD has malfunctioned. Sometimes failing at speed, other times lurching quickly forward after stopping. I have contacted Volvo and they installed a flight data recorder. I can provide a description of all my events upon request. I'll detail just the most dangerous incident here: [XXX] ~[XXX] 30mph westbound on [XXX], Catonsville, MD. A car in front of me was stopping to make the same left turn I needed onto Harlem Ln. To prepare for the stop & turn I removed my foot from the accelerator pedal. Regen braking & deceleration began but then deceleration went to zero, or perhaps the car even sped up. I hit the brake pedal hard to avoid a collision. My wife said, "Why did you speed up?" Of course I didn't speed up, OPD malfunctioned.  Attempted to reproduce 27NOV at same location w/o the car in front. Could not reproduce. (I never charge my EV to 100% SoC) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On June 22, 2024 at 5.25pm I went to my driveway to open my car door to leave for dinner. When I opened the door black smoke came gushing out on my face. The whole car was filled with black soot and the passenger seat was burning and my Nikon DSLR camera was melted and battery compartment opened and maybe leaking. Temperature inside the car was 104 and outside was 87 when I opened the car. The car passenger seat was melted including the foam and wires. I had my dogs rubber ball, my hair band on the seat as well as my pink water bottle on the seat and some odour genie tub and plastic cleaning supplies none of which were burnt but just covered with smoke. My concern is that the seat material and the carpet on the floor was all burnt and charred with smoke damage however, all the plastic water bottles, my hair and and my dogs ball did not get burnt down with the electrical Fire. This is very dangerous to have just in case there is accusation and the fire catches the seats on fire so rapidly just by a camera battery leak or PVC Melt down. My primary concern is the vegan man-made material used in the entire vehicle from ceiling to floor is susceptible to catch on fire just with 100 degrees temperature from some acid leak or from the cigarette lighter charger which one of them burnt down whilst the other is in tact
First time - While stopped at a traffic light and foot off both the accelerator and brake (the car holds itself once stopped) the car started to accelerate until I stopped it with the brake pedal. Second time, a few days later - while coasting to a stop and foot off both the accelerator and brake the car started to accelerate until I slowed it with the brake pedal. Both incidents happened within a few days of each other just under 15,000 miles. Called Volvo corporate, they said to bring in to dealer. Dealer could not replicate and there were no codes to diagnose issue. All car software was up to date.
2022 VOLVO C40. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO PROPULSION SYSTEM FAILURE MESSAGE ON DASHBOARD.
There are 2 very serious safety issues that are extremely dangerous with this car. #1 - The Automatic Intervention Rear Brake Auto Brake engages for no reason when there is nothing behind the car. It happens when I am backing up very slowly. It throws me forward and then thrusts me back into the headrest. This has happened 3 times in 2 months. #2- At least two times a week the Information Panel turns off while driving for no reason and goes blank. I can’t see the speedometer, blinkers don't work, lane assist doesn't work, and the map disappears. I have pull off the road and reset it to continue driving. We have taken the car to Premier Volvo dealership 2 times and have spoken to the Asst. Service Manager and the General Sales Manager. The Asst Service Mgr. explained these are well known safety issues. He explained #1 is a problem with no solution and #2 is a Google problem waiting for new software. The General Sales Manager agreed that #1 is an issue, but didn't offer a solution. He also said #2 is a Google software problem with this car, they are waiting for a software update. Also, the sales rep and Service Manager verified these issues are well known problems. These were not disclosed to us when we leased the car.
Hello, I was driving behind a group of cars that unexpectedly slowed, then stopped. I braked, but while I was braking the car unintentionally lunged forward and hit the car in front of me. i know my foot was on the brake because the car initially slowed. My car was totaled and I was injured. The other driver was not injured.
Persistent steering wheel vibration at highway speeds (60-80 mph), present from the first drive within two hours of taking delivery of this Certified Pre-Owned vehicle on April 14, 2026 at 21,075 miles. No warning lamps or messages. The vibration is constant at highway speed, not intermittent, causing driver fatigue and distraction during sustained highway driving. This is a known defect documented in Volvo Technical Journal TJ 36752.3.0, classified under function group 4661 (drive shaft). Kline Volvo of Maplewood, MN confirmed the vibration and performed the TJ-prescribed repairs: tire balancing, tire replacement, and driver's airbag module replacement containing an oscillation damper. Volvo's own TJ notes this repair only "lessens" the vibration. The vibration improved but in my assessment has not been fully resolved. A second Volvo dealer's service manager independently acknowledged the issue and consulted Volvo's regional service representative, who confirmed no further fix is currently available beyond the TJ repair. I have escalated to Volvo executive leadership in writing and am awaiting response. The vehicle is available for inspection.
Car was parked at my house. After a heavy heavy rain, I saw 1/2" standing water on the passenger side floorboards. The cowl drainage had been blocked, and I was told water had found it's way into the cabin. It's an EV, so this is a serious issue. My climate control was inoperative, the tire pressure sensors also affected. And not sure what other systems may have been damaged. This had never happened before, and my repair estimate is $5,000.00. It is unfathomable that a car of this level (and price) could have a design that would allow this situation. Thank you for your attention.
I purchased a used 2023 Volvo C40 that was represented as Certified Pre-Owned. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle developed persistent grinding noises during braking, vibration, and mechanical noises that occur even after normal driving. The vehicle has been returned to the selling Volvo dealer multiple times for diagnosis and repair. Dealer service records state that brake rust was “cleaned” and that the issue was resolved; however, the grinding noise persisted immediately upon pickup. Multiple dealership employees acknowledged hearing the noise. The dealer drove the vehicle over 140 miles attempting to replicate the issue, but no permanent repair was made. I later observed significant corrosion and deterioration on brake and suspension-related components. In addition, the vehicle produces a loud thumping noise from the air conditioning system, which was documented via video and heard by dealership management, but the dealer stated they could not replicate the issue. Despite repeated service visits, the braking noise and mechanical concerns remain unresolved. I am concerned these conditions may affect braking performance, vehicle stability, and overall vehicle safety.
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo C40 BEV. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle lunge forward. The contact also stated that the steering wheel became inoperable with several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving to and arriving at the residence, the contact was unable to shut off the vehicle. The contact attempted to turn off the vehicle with the key fob and instrument panel, but the vehicle failed to shut off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was able to shut off the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,100.
I was at a traffic light today and my rear passenger window just completely spider webbed, while my daughter was in the back seat. I had to pull over and clean as much glass from the window to prevent falling on her and causing any additional damage. There were no other vehicles or pedestrians around. The only thing I can think of is that it was temperature related from being in the sun for a few hours and then having the AC on for about 5 minutes. I have researched on different volvo forums and threads and see other owners having similar issues. [XXX] [XXX] Thermal stress and expansion: When exposed to high temperatures, the glass expands, and if this expansion is uneven (perhaps due to varying thicknesses or materials), it creates thermal stress, potentially weakening the glass. When I reported the incident to the dealership they denied any other complaints or recalls instantly put the blame on an external impact without even inspecting the vehicle. There has been no official inspection by any party. The soonest the dealer will see it is on 8/12/25 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Showing 20 of 38 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Volvo C40
These pages show model-year patterns across 3 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Volvo C40, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Volvo C40 has 38 complaints on record across 3 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Volvo C40 has 4 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 3 of the Volvo C40's 38 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Volvo C40 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Volvo C40 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Volvo C40 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
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Volvo C40 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Volvo C40 reliable?
Average. The Volvo C40 has 38 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Volvo C40 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2023 (23 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Volvo C40 problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (9 complaints); BACK OVER PREVENTION (7 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7 complaints).
Does the Volvo C40 have recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Volvo C40. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.