Used Volvo XC40 Recharge 2021-present reliability
Category: Electric SUV
The Volvo XC40 Recharge is a stylish, practical and plush electric SUV. Early versions are good value when buying used, too.
What should I look for in a used Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric estate?
As with all used cars, check the bodywork for damage and the wheels for any scuffs. It’s also worth inspecting the interior for signs of wear and tear.
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
What are the most common problems with a used Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric estate?
At the time of writing, there’s only one recall notice for the XC40 Recharge and you can contact your local Volvo dealer to see whether it’s been carried out. You will not need to pay for anything involving the recall.
Reason for recall
High voltage contactors may open during driving resulting in a risk that the high voltage system may be unintentionally disconnected causing a loss of propulsion.
How the manufacturer will repair: Software upgrade to be carried out.
Number of affected vehicles: 134
Date of recall: 24/02/2021
Is a used Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric estate reliable?
The XC40 Recharge is one of the more reliable electric SUVs, according to our latest 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.
As a brand, Volvo finished in 12 place out of 31 contenders in the manufacturer section of our Reliability Survey. That’s a decent position, placing it above Audi, Jaguar and Volkswagen, but below BMW and Hyundai.
Used Volvo XC40 Recharge reliability: the owners' view
According to our latest Reliability Survey, Volvo XC40 Recharge owners experienced mixed results for reliability and dealer service.
Several owners reported persistent issues with warning lights and software faults, particularly affecting the infotainment and battery management systems. In more than one case, these problems required multiple dealer visits to resolve, with one owner noting a frustrating delay in getting replacement parts. Another owner described their XC40 as “unreliable from day one,” citing repeated electrical glitches that the dealership struggled to diagnose.
On a more positive note, some respondents praised Volvo’s dealer network for being polite and communicative during repair processes, although this was not universally shared. A few mentioned long lead times for appointments and limited availability of courtesy cars, which added to the inconvenience.
Overall, while the XC40 EV has its fans, reliability concerns and inconsistent dealer experiences were a recurring theme.
Check out the full list of electric SUVs here.
Check out the full list of brands here.
If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.
