Volvo XC40 Recharge 2021-2025 reliability

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So far the XC40 Recharge is proving to be reliable

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Is the Volvo XC40 Recharge reliable?

The XC40 Recharge is one of the more reliable electric SUVs, according to the What Car? reliability survey. It finished in third place out of 16 cars in the electric SUV category, with a strong score of 95.8%. Only the BMW iX3 and Tesla Model Y were more reliable, while the Audi Q4 e-tron, Genesis GV60 and Jaguar I-Pace trailed far behind it. 

Nevertheless, there are some things to watch out for:

Motor: The car will be immobile if a 'Propulsion System' warning appears on the dash. The usual culprit is a software glitch that requires a reboot at a dealer - but turning the car off and on or leaving it for a long period has been known to cure it. If the error message pops up on the move, it may go into limp-home mode.

Software: The infotainment display can shut down while driving. A software glitch can also knock out functions such as Spotify or the sat-nav and only a main dealer can rectify the issue. A faulty battery management system (BMS) can also stop the XC40 from being charged.

Suspension: Later models can suffer from an issue relating to the front suspension mounts and struts. If you hear a knock or bang when riding over lumps and bumps, it's best to take the car to a dealer for advice. Volvo is aware of this issue and is working on a resolution.

Brakes: Because the XC40 relies mostly on the regenerative braking system to slow down, the physical brakes can become rusty in wet weather-a common EV bugbear. Look out for brakes sticking or any clunking noises when pulling away.

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Body: A faulty boot strut can stop the powered tailgate from working. The boot may open only halfway as a result, but a manual override is detailed in the handbook. Plastic-bodied struts can be swapped out for metal alternatives at a dealer.

An owner's view

Adrian Snelius: I bought an XC40 Recharge in 2021 as our main family car. Since then, we've covered 50,000 miles around most of the UK and have even been to the Outer Hebrides. It's plenty big enough inside for two adults, two teenagers and a Labrador.

I prefer it to our old Tesla Model X, which was riddled with issues. An annual service costs around £150 and so far the only issue we've had was a faulty boot strut, replaced under warranty. We rely on the public network to charge our car, which is pretty costly. This isn't helped by the XC40's poor charging curve and real-world range of 200 miles.

Also worth knowing:

If you want even more style from your electric Volvo crossover, the coupe-like C40 will certainly appeal. It arrived at the same time as the single-motor XC40 and has improved range and efficiency over its boxier twin.

In 2023, the XC40 received a powertrain upgrade, with the motor moving to the rear axle for improved efficiency. Dual-motor models gained an 82kWh battery - up from 78kWh - which boosted range to a more usable 334 miles.

Alex Wolstenholme

Alex Wolstenholme
Title: Editorial Assistant

Alex joined Haymarket, the publisher of Autocar, in 2023. A car fanatic, he loves to delve into the spec-sheet, especially when it concerns something obscure or quirky. He currently drives a 2007 Alpina D3 estate but is often seen in his mum's Ford Fiesta (much to her annoyance). 

In his current position, as an editorial assistant, Alex mainly assists in managing Autocar's presence on MSN, but also writes features for the magazine.

Sam Phillips

Sam Phillips
Title: Staff Writer

Sam joined the Autocar team in summer 2024 and has been a contributor since 2021. He is tasked with writing used reviews and first drives as well as updating top 10s and evergreen content on the Autocar website. 

He previously led sister-title Move Electric, which covers the entire spectrum of electric vehicles, from cars to boats – and even trucks. He is an expert in new car news, used cars, electric cars, microbility, classic cars and motorsport. 

Sam graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2021 with a BA in Journalism. In his final year he produced an in-depth feature on the automotive industry’s transition to electric cars and interviewed a number of leading experts to assess our readiness for the impending ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars.