2018-2020 · 1.5L 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol (163 hp)
Stylish compact SUV with premium Scandinavian design. The 3-cylinder T3 engine is adequate for city driving but feels underpowered with 1,600 kg to move. Main concerns: crankshaft thrust bearing failure requiring expensive replacement (mostly 2019-2020 manual models), clutch issues on manuals around 30,000-50,000 km, infotainment freezing problems, and electric tailgate strut failures. Three-cylinder vibration at idle is normal. Automatic gearbox can be jerky when cold. Verify AEB software recall and rear seatback lock striker recall completed.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
€1,200 - €2,150/year
15,000 km/year
Fixed costs
€650-1,050
Risk buffer
€550-1,100
What Can Break
bars = likelihood
Crankshaft thrust bearing failure€2,600 - €4,600
Known issue on 2019-2020 manual T3 models with 180-degree thrust bearing · more· less
The 3-cylinder T3 manual gearbox models (mainly 2019-2020) used a half-thrust bearing (180-degree) instead of full-thrust bearing (360-degree). This design flaw causes excess axial crankshaft movement, leading to clutch vibration and eventual failure. Symptoms include clutch pedal vibration with concerning sounds, and sticking. The repair requires complete crankshaft replacement fitted with the revised 360-degree thrust bearing - tensioner alone cannot be replaced. Dealer quotes range £2,600-£4,600 (approximately €3,000-€5,300). Volvo has acknowledged this as a manufacturing defect and some owners received full warranty coverage, while others were offered only 40-60% goodwill contribution. Most affected cars have been identified and repaired by now.
Infotainment system freezing€0 - €1,500
Center screen becomes unresponsive to touch, sound stops, system requires reboot · more· less
Common issue affecting many XC40s, particularly 2019-2024 models. The center infotainment screen freezes completely, becoming unresponsive to touch. Sound stops, turn signals may not work, proximity warnings fail. Temporary fix: press and hold home button until "screen cleaning" appears, continue holding until faint "VOLVO" logo shows (indicates reboot). This may work initially but effectiveness decreases over time. Persistent cases require Infotainment Head Unit (IHU) replacement by dealer. Software updates may help but don't always solve the problem permanently. Some owners report multiple dealer visits before replacement is authorized. Covered under warranty if applicable, otherwise replacement cost varies widely.
Electric tailgate struts failure€400 - €1,500
Early 2018-2019 struts had design flaw allowing water ingress and corrosion · more· less
Original electric tailgate struts on early XC40s (2018-2019) had a known design defect where water entered and corroded internal components. Design was changed and newer models have struts positioned differently. Symptoms: clicking, grinding, or humming noises; tailgate only partially opens or fails to stay open; rust or oil streaks on struts; boot not closing properly. Dealer quotes range €400-€1,500 for replacement of both struts (must be replaced as pair per Volvo requirement). Many owners negotiated goodwill contributions (50-90%) due to original defective design. Aftermarket options available at lower cost. DIY replacement takes 15-60 minutes if mechanically inclined.
Clutch premature wear (manual)€1,300 - €2,400
Manual T3 models report clutch failures around 30,000-50,000 km · more· less
Forum reports show multiple T3 manual owners experiencing premature clutch failure, often linked to the thrust bearing issue. Symptoms include clutch pedal vibration, slipping, difficulty engaging gears. Replacement typically includes clutch, flywheel, and slave cylinder. Dealer quotes £1,300-£2,400 (approximately €1,500-€2,800). Often related to or discovered alongside the crankshaft thrust bearing problem. Clutch burning at low mileage (10,000-30,000 km) has been reported by several owners. Independent Volvo specialists offer lower pricing than dealers.
Turbocharger actuator sticking€600 - €2,500
Carbon buildup from gentle driving causes actuator to stick, triggers EPC light and limp mode · more· less
The turbo actuator tends to stick if the car is driven too gently or only for short trips, as carbon builds up. Symptoms include EPC warning light illuminating and engine going into limp mode with reduced power. Volvo does not sell the actuator separately as a part. Specialist repair (actuator-only cleaning/replacement) costs approximately €600-700, but if turbo internals are damaged from prolonged actuator issues, full turbocharger replacement costs €2,100-€2,800. Prevention: use premium fuel and occasionally drive spiritedly (higher RPMs) to prevent carbon buildup. Regular motorway driving helps.
Panoramic sunroof drain clogging€100 - €5,000
Pine needles and debris clog drain tubes causing water leaks into cabin · more· less
Very common issue on Volvos with panoramic sunroofs. Drain lines in front corners route water down front pillars to ground. Small leaves or pine needles clog the drains, causing water to overflow into cabin, soaking carpets and potentially damaging electronics. If caught early, drain cleaning costs €100-€300. If water damage occurs: mold remediation, carpet drying, electronics replacement can exceed €5,000. Some cases covered by insurance. Prevention essential: clean drains annually or every two years. Many independent garages can do this. DIY cleaning possible but avoid weed trimmer wire (risks puncturing tubes) and high-pressure air (can separate connections).
Increased oil consumption€50 - €150
T3 engines may consume 1 liter per 2,500-5,000 km, especially when new · more· less
Many T3 owners report low oil warnings after 2,500-5,000 km requiring 1 liter top-up. Volvo specification allows up to 1.5L per 10,000 km as "within normal range" - anything over this needs investigation. Contributing factors: very thin modern oils (0W-20) can bypass piston rings into combustion chamber; small turbocharged engines run hotter; break-in period for first 5,000-10,000 km. Most owners report consumption normalizes after initial miles. Keep oil topped up - running low can damage the turbocharger. Volvo USA offers extended warranty (8 years/100,000 miles) for VEP4 engines with oil consumption issues. Monitor your oil consumption and document if excessive.
Key fob recognition problems€5 - €1,300
2019 XC40 models have persistent key fob issues, car won't recognize key despite good battery · more· less
Widespread issue affecting 2019 XC40 models. Key fob won't unlock doors or start car despite fresh battery. "No key found" warning appears on dash. Replacing battery provides temporary fix (days to weeks) before problem returns. Some keys work after being left unused for extended period. Volvo found certain batches of 2019 keys were defective (some affected by recall). Simple fix: CR2032 battery replacement (€3-5), but breaking plastic clips during battery change requires new fob (€750+ including programming). More serious: TCAM circuit board corrosion requiring replacement (~€1,300). Some owners report multiple dealer visits without permanent solution. Check if your 2019 model's key batch was recalled.
Good overall reliability but some significant issues to verify
The XC40 scored 93.8% in What Car? reliability survey (34th of 76 in family SUV class). Most mechanical components are solid, but specific issues affect certain production runs - particularly 2019-2020 manual T3 models with crankshaft/clutch problems. Electrical glitches (infotainment, key fob) are more common than mechanical failures. Buy from owners with complete service history and verify recall completion.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete Volvo dealer or authorized specialist records essential. Verify oil changes at proper intervals (Volvo uses 0W-20).
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Some 3-cylinder vibration at idle is normal, but listen for excessive rattle or knocking.
Body condition
Check for rust, accident damage, paint mismatch. Check wheel arches and underbody.
Test drive
Minimum 20 minutes including highway speeds. Test acceleration, braking, and all electronic systems.
Specific for this vehicle
Manual gearbox: check clutch operation and crankshaft issue history
For manual T3 models (especially 2019-2020): feel for clutch pedal vibration or sticking. Ask owner if crankshaft thrust bearing replacement was done. Request documentation if repair was performed under warranty or goodwill. This is the most important check for manual models.
Test infotainment system thoroughly
Spend 5+ minutes using touchscreen, navigation, Bluetooth, climate controls. Watch for freezing, slow response, or screen blackouts. Try radio volume adjustment, voice control, all menus. Ask owner if system has been problematic.
Inspect electric tailgate struts for leaks and operation
Look for oil streaks or rust on strut bodies. Open and close tailgate several times - listen for clicking, grinding, or humming. Tailgate should open fully and hold position without sagging. Check production date if 2018-2019 model.
Check for EPC warning light and turbo operation
During test drive, accelerate firmly several times. Watch for EPC light or limp mode activation. Turbo should provide smooth power delivery without hesitation. Ask if car is mostly used for short trips (increases actuator sticking risk).
Inspect panoramic sunroof drains (if equipped)
Check carpets in all footwells for dampness or water staining. Smell for mold/mildew. Check headliner for water marks. Ask when sunroof drains were last cleaned. Pour small amount of water in sunroof tray to test drain flow.
Test both key fobs thoroughly (2019 models especially)
Lock and unlock car multiple times from various distances with both keys. Start engine with each key. Check if "No key found" warning appears. Ask owner about key fob issues. Verify battery was recently replaced.
Check oil level and consumption history
With engine cold, check dipstick oil level. Ask owner how often oil needs topping up between services. Oil consumption of 1L per 5,000+ km is acceptable; more frequent indicates potential issue.
Automatic gearbox: test when cold and hot
If automatic transmission: drive for at least 10 minutes to warm up gearbox. Some jerkiness when cold is normal, but should smooth out when warm. Feel for harsh shifts, hesitation, or clunking. Check if auto-hold function works properly.
Airbag sensor signal (Feb-Sep 2014)Verify completed
Contact Volvo dealer with VIN to verify all recalls completed. The AEB software update (2019-2020) and rear seatback lock strikers (2019) are particularly important safety recalls. Between 2018-2024, there were 13 recalls issued for the XC40 - most affecting only small numbers of vehicles.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years / 100,000 km)Expired on all 2018-2020 models
All 2018-2020 XC40 T3 models are outside their original 3-year factory warranty. Extended warranty available through Volvo dealers. Note: The XC40 has 12-year rust perforation warranty which may still apply depending on registration date. Hybrid battery pack warranty (if applicable) is 8 years/150,000 km - not relevant for T3 petrol models.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.