Model year guide

2021 Volvo XC40

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2021 Volvo XC40 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 305 on record.

2021 Volvo XC40 at a glance

Safety recalls5
Combined25–26 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2021 Volvo XC40 recalls 5

Back Over Prevention:software NHTSA Campaign #25V908000 · manufacturer #R10333 · 23/12/2025

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."

Fix: 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…

Back Over Prevention:software NHTSA Campaign #25V282000 · manufacturer #R10320 · 08/05/2025

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."

Fix: 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.

Engine NHTSA Campaign #21V881000 · manufacturer #R10128 · 12/11/2021

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.

Fix: 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.

Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor NHTSA Campaign #21V682000 · manufacturer #R10111 · 01/09/2021

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."

Fix: 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.

Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery:management System/energy Control Module (bms/becm):software NHTSA Campaign #21V109000 · manufacturer #R10078 · 24/02/2021

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2021 Volvo XC40 MPG & running costs

Combined25–26 mpg
City23 mpg
Highway31 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,950
EPA size classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
TransmissionAutomatic (S8)
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Engine start-stopYes
Passenger volume98 cu ft
Cargo volume25 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$2,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2021 Volvo XC40 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,750
Fuel only$14,750
Per mile$0.20

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2021 Volvo XC40 vehicles on record

Other Volvo XC40 model years

2021 Volvo XC40 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Volvo XC40 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 Volvo XC40. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Volvo XC40 get?

The 2021 Volvo XC40 has U.S. EPA estimates of 25–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.