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World Of EVEditorial

2023 Volvo C40 Recharge / EC40 problems & recalls

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge / EC40 and owners have filed 24 complaints. The most-reported area is electrical system (6 complaints). 1 complaint describes a fire and 2 complaints describe a crash.

Other model years:20242022
Recalls
3
Complaints
24
Crash reports
2
Fire reports
1
Injuries
2

Recalls (3)

Dec 18, 2024#24V938000

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Volvo C40 vehicles. The clamps may be improperly crimped on the driver's side inner far side air bag module (FSAB), which can cause the air bag to deploy improperly.

Risk: An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's side inner FSAB, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10296.

Mar 22, 2023#23V188000

Electrical system

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic trouble code (DTC) may be falsely detected for the emergency call system (e-call) and display "e-Call Service Required" in the driver information module (DIM).

Risk: The false warning message could prevent the detection of an actual e-call system failure, which could delay an emergency response during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will update the telematics and connectivity antenna module (TCAM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10225.

Jan 19, 2023#23V012000Over-the-air fix

Service brakes, hydraulic

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60, V60CC, V90CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic error in the Brake Control Module 2 (BCM2) may cause a loss of Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and traction control.

Risk: A reduction in brake support functions can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Volvo will release an over-the-air (OTA) BCM2 software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 15, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10217.

Owner complaints (24)

What owners reported to NHTSA, by component. One complaint can name several components.

  • Electrical system6
  • Power train4
  • Steering4
  • Unknown or other4
  • Service brakes4
  • Structure3
  • Back over prevention3
  • Vehicle speed control2
  • Fuel/propulsion system2
  • Visibility/wiper2
  • Lane departure2
  • Forward collision avoidance2

Complaints over time

Oct 2022: 1 complaintNov 2022: 0 complaintsDec 2022: 0 complaintsJan 2023: 0 complaintsFeb 2023: 0 complaintsMar 2023: 3 complaintsApr 2023: 0 complaintsMay 2023: 1 complaintJun 2023: 2 complaintsJul 2023: 0 complaintsAug 2023: 0 complaintsSep 2023: 1 complaintOct 2023: 0 complaintsNov 2023: 1 complaintDec 2023: 0 complaintsJan 2024: 1 complaintFeb 2024: 0 complaintsMar 2024: 1 complaintApr 2024: 1 complaintMay 2024: 0 complaintsJun 2024: 1 complaintJul 2024: 0 complaintsAug 2024: 0 complaintsSep 2024: 0 complaintsOct 2024: 0 complaintsNov 2024: 1 complaintDec 2024: 0 complaintsJan 2025: 2 complaintsFeb 2025: 0 complaintsMar 2025: 0 complaintsApr 2025: 0 complaintsMay 2025: 0 complaintsJun 2025: 0 complaintsJul 2025: 1 complaintAug 2025: 3 complaintsSep 2025: 0 complaintsOct 2025: 0 complaintsNov 2025: 0 complaintsDec 2025: 0 complaintsJan 2026: 1 complaintFeb 2026: 1 complaintMar 2026: 0 complaintsApr 2026: 0 complaintsMay 2026: 1 complaintJun 2026: 0 complaintsJul 2026: 0 complaintsAug 2026: 0 complaintsSep 2026: 1 complaint2023202420252026
Complaints filed per month. Peak: 3 in Mar 2023. Hover a bar for its count.
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Recent owner reports

Sep 16, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system

Volvo offers a One-Pedal Drive (OPD) where the car can be driven exclusively with the accelerator on its C40 electric cars. Foot off is braking and foot on is accelerating. While using this mode I experienced an uncommanded acceleration of the vehicle. I was creeping forward, applying slight pressure on the accelerator, when the car lurched forward suddenly and was close to impacting a stopped car in front of me. The amount the car accelerated did not match the amount of pressure I exerted on the accelerator pedal. After the car in front of me moved up, I again began to creep and again the c…

May 13, 2026Steering

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 balanc…

Feb 19, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Engine

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.

Jan 20, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakes

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…

Aug 14, 2025Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system

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 w…

Aug 9, 2025Structure

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…

Aug 5, 2025Visibility/wiper

Re. R10320 Volvo sent a recall notice regarding the rearview camera being unavailable when vehicle is placed in reverse. This is an issue that affects me/my car almost daily. The notice is dated June 27, 2025 and was told an Over The Air update would be available. I do not live nearby a Volvo dealer so rely on the ability to update the software remotely. However the OTA option is not recognized by my vehicle. When I called Volvo they told me there is no date by which the OTA update will be available and advised me to visit a dealer. Please encourage Volvo to make this important update availabl…

Jul 30, 2025Back over prevention

After having our car repaired per NHTSA recall 25V-282 we are still having issues with malfunctions of the backup camera system including warning messages that the camera is unavailable during attempts to drive in reverse.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall and complaint records, updated Oct 1, 2026. Complaints are owner reports and are not verified by NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.