Volvo · XC40 · 2020
2020 Volvo XC40
1
Recall
10
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2020 Volvo XC40 has 1 recall and 10 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking (2 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2020 Volvo XC40 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking with 2 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2020 Volvo XC40 currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 10 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking (2), service brakes (2), electrical system (2).
- Vehicle
- 2020 Volvo XC40
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 10
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
16.4% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 20V144000March 12, 2020
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
10 totalSERVICE BRAKES
Jan 4, 2026
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FOR ODI#11708898. I am providing additional documentation to this ODI case. I had to create a new complaint since there appears to be no way on-line to add this information. Gunther Volvo has not provided ANY status updates of my vehicle which has be...
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POWER TRAIN
Jan 4, 2026
On 01/04/2026, while operating a gas-powered 2024 Volvo XC40, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) event while stationary at a red light. With the service brake fully depressed, the internal combustion engine began to surge and rev uncontrol...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 13, 2024
During night rainstorm, front and rear wipers, turn signals and high beams all failed. This was the result of a design defect that allows water from panoramic moonroof to drain into the floor where it compromises electrical connections and modules. In addition to potentially ca...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Mar 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the speedometer and the infotainment system screen turned blank. The vehicle then lost motive power. The electronic stability program (ESP) warning light was illuminate...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Aug 25, 2022
The electrical system on my car apparently failed, which rendered the car unable to start and drive. Park Place Volvo claims that there is water, that penetrated the seals, from underneath the car. Although there were no visible signs of water, Volvo claims that the rain caused...
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AIR BAGS
CRASH1 injuryAug 24, 2022
Air Bags did not deploy when car hit another vehicle that failed to stop and DUI. Volvo was traveling at 35MPH and vehicle hit was traveling 35+. Vehicle is available for inspection at this time. Driver experiencing bodily injuries (neck, shoulders, back, ribs, and legs, etc. ...
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FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Apr 4, 2022
Vehicle suddenly puts on the brakes, for no reason. Has happened 3 times, 2 in parking lots and 1 while driving down the road, suddenly swerved for no reason. Could cause injuries to driver and passenger.
SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 23, 2022
My XC40 has 24, 500 miles on it, and it has already had three sets of brake rotors replaced. The dealership reported "warped rotors" on my front brake rotors in the summer of 2021 at 15,000 miles and replaced them. Now at 24,500 miles, both the front and rear rotors were again...
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FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Jan 31, 2022
Almost once a month my car with think there is something in front of it and activate the emergency brakes. It causes huge strain to the brakes and almost makes me crash and puts the people in front of me and behind me at risk. I've turned the setting to a lower sensitivity to try...
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SEAT BELTS
1 injuryJan 6, 2020
ISSUE1: A FEW WEEKS AGO WHILE MY WIFE HAD STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WITHOUT ANY PROVOCATION, HER SEATBELT WENT INTO CRASH MODE, TIGHTENING SIGNIFICANTLY AND LOCKING. THIS WAS TO THE POINT THAT SHE FELT BEING SUFFOCATED FROM PRESSURE ON HER ABDOMEN AND CHEST. FORTUNATELY, ...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 10 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2020 Volvo models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Volvo XC40 Years
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2020 Volvo XC90Another 2020 Volvo option for same-year comparison.7r24c2020 Volvo XC60Another 2020 Volvo option for same-year comparison.6r17c2020 Volvo S60Another 2020 Volvo option for same-year comparison.4r9c2020 Volvo V60Another 2020 Volvo option for same-year comparison.3r7c2020 Volvo S90Another 2020 Volvo option for same-year comparison.3r2c2020 Volvo V90Another 2020 Volvo option for same-year comparison.2r1c
Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Volvo XC40 have?
The 2020 Volvo XC40 has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2020 Volvo XC40?
NHTSA has received 10 owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Volvo XC40.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2020 Volvo XC40?
The 2020 Volvo XC40 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Volvo XC40?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2020 Volvo XC40 are forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking (2 reports), service brakes (2 reports), electrical system (2 reports).
Does the 2020 Volvo XC40 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2020 Volvo XC40. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.