The Volvo XC40 is the smallest, subcompact Volvo SUV/crossover that hopes to steal buyers from your regular premium crossover bunch that includes the Mercedes GLA, the BMW X1, the Audi Q3, and the Range Rover Evoque. The world of small crossovers is becoming more and more popular in recent years which is why Volvo went all out with its XC40.
You can get the XC40 in a number of variants including a full-on EV, a plug-in hybrid, a diesel, or a pure gasoline model with mild hybrid technology. In this article, we are going to focus on Volvo XC40 Mild Hybrid problems which means that we are going to list all the problems and tell you what to look out for if you are in the market for one.
Electrical problems seem to be the most common while brake issues have also been reported for quite a few examples. Water leaks are also a possibility, but they aren’t nearly as common as the previous two problems. Last, but not least, we also need to mention that the semi-autonomous pilot assist feature can turn itself off without any prior warnings.
All in all, the XC40 Mild Hybrid does not suffer from any notable widespread issues for two reasons. The main one is that it’s still way too new for any of the problems to become widespread. Secondly, Volvo has made sure to make the new XC40 a reliable car from the get-go, so you should be good.
Electrical Problems
Volvo has had a few recalls on many of its models due to electrical issues which seem to be the most common problems in modern-day Volvo cars in general. The XC40 seems to sometimes suffer from power loss due to high-voltage disconnect problems while other minor issues are also a thing.
These include potential glitches and software mishaps with the infotainment system. This can be really stressful as the XC40 incorporates a bunch of essential features (rearview camera, GPS, A/C, media) within the infotainment screen which means that all of these become unusable when this happens.
Brakes Issues
The braking system on the XC40 has also been under the spotlight for a few reasons during the lifespan of the XC40 and it seems that some 2023 Mild Hybrid models also seem to be suffering from these problems. The 2023 Volvo XC40 was also recalled due to issues with the brakes which further raises eyebrows.
Volvo has admitted that intermittent software glitches can shut down essential safety features such as ABS and ESC. Another problem reported by a few people is that the XC40 can suffer from “phantom braking“ which happens when the car misinterprets an obstacle in front and slams on the brakes, often without anything in front of the car.
Water Leaks
Some models of the Volvo XC40 have had issues with water getting in the car and corroding the APS circuit. This can cause the car to either accelerate by itself, lose power, or make the driving experience inconsistent. Volvo also did a recall to combat this problem back in 2022 for 2021 XC40 models, but a few owners did face similar issues with newer cars as well.
Volvo made sure to install a spliced cable which prevented leaks, so it’s not clear if all the later problems have actually taken place, or if it’s just pure misinformation.
Pilot Assist Turning Off
The Volvo XC40 comes with semi-autonomous driving capabilities which enable you to enjoy the car speeding up, slowing down, and even steering to keep you in the center of the lane. This feature has become fairly common on many modern premium cars including almost all current Volvo models. However, there are instances where the Pilot Assist feature failed and caused problems.
If the driver takes his hands off the wheel for 15 seconds, the system will disengage after a loud warning sound, but it will not stop the vehicle. The real problem comes when the system’s cameras and other sensors can’t read the road clearly and will disengage the system without any warning sounds which can be an extremely dangerous situation to be in.
More about Volvo XC40 issues.
FAQ Section
How Good is the Volvo XC40 Mild Hybrid?
The Volvo XC40 Mild Hybrid is basically just a normal XC40, but with the added benefit of a small battery that helps with making the driving experience smoother and more responsive. The purpose of the mild hybrid setup is to conserve a bit of fuel while also offering you smoother take-offs and a more consistent acceleration with great efficiency.
We already know that the XC40 is a tremendously desirable car, for a good reason, but with the added mild hybrid technology Volvo made it even better. So, we can easily say that the Volvo XC40 truly is one of the best subcompact/crossover SUVs on the market right now.
What is the Fuel Consumption of the Volvo XC40 Mild Hybrid?
The fuel consumption of the Volvo XC40 Mild Hybrid can vary depending on various factors such as driving conditions, driving style, and terrain. It’s important to note that the fuel consumption figures can also differ based on the specific engine variant and whether it is equipped with front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).
In general, you can expect to get around 10L/100km (23MPG) in the city or 7.9L (30MPG) on the highway which is a decent number, but not the best in its class. If you want maximum efficiency, you should go for either an electric XC40 (Recharge) or a plug-in hybrid.
How Does the Volvo XC40 Compare to the BMW X1, the Audi Q3, and the Mercedes GLA?
The Volvo XC40 is the most sensible model of all of these while also offering arguably the best electric powertrain. The Germans have a wider array of engines which include larger engines while the XC40 offers 4-cylinder engines at the very top end.
The GLA is likely the most desirable one, the Q3 is the most futuristic-looking, and the BMW is the most spacious, while the XC40 is pretty much a mixture of all of these, but does not excel in any of these areas.
