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Seat Back Lock Striker Missing — Recall 18V535 (2019)
driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured
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2019-2026 Volvo XC40: 8 recalls including phantom braking, screen blackouts, and camera failures. If your dealer can't fix it, California lemon law may help.
You chose the Volvo XC40 because Volvo has spent decades building a reputation around one word: safety. The 2019-2026 compact crossover promised Swedish design sensibility, the latest IntelliSafe driver-assistance technology, and a premium ownership experience in a package that fits California life: urban, practical, and connected. For many owners, the XC40 delivers on that promise. But for a meaningful number of California drivers, the XC40's first decade on the road has surfaced a troubling pattern of defects that undercut the very features Volvo sold hardest: the infotainment brain of the car repeatedly goes dark without warning; the Automatic Emergency Braking system that is supposed to protect you instead applies the brakes at highway speed with nothing ahead; and the federally required backup camera sometimes simply is not there when you shift into reverse. Volvo has addressed several of these issues through recall campaigns (18V554, 18V800, 20V144, 23V012, 24V010, and 25V282), but recall fixes are not always permanent. A second rearview-camera recall (25V908) issued in 2026 confirms that the first remedy was insufficient for some owners. If your XC40 has been to the Volvo dealership multiple times for the same complaint and you keep driving home with the same problem, you are not alone, and you may have rights under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act that the dealer has not mentioned.
The issues owners report most, ranked by severity — each one verified against a cited NHTSA source.
driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured
brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light
brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
A settled Margarian Law case on this exact model, published with the actual settlement math.
Open any defect for the symptoms and why it matters for a California lemon-law claim. Each is tied to a cited NHTSA source.
driver seat cushion loose; seat fastener recall; seat may not stay secured
Recall 18V535 addresses rear seat backs that can move forward during hard braking or a crash, increasing injury risk to rear occupants. Under Song-Beverly, a safety recall repair that requires multiple dealer visits or fails to permanently correct the seating defect may support a lemon-law claim. Document every dealer appointment and verify the strikers were physically installed — not merely 'inspected.'
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and install the seat back lock strikers if they are missing, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89898.
brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light
Recall 18V554 concerns brake pedals not correctly riveted, allowing the pedal to move out of position and potentially reduce braking performance — a direct safety hazard. California's Song-Beverly Act §1793.22 presumes a lemon after two unsuccessful repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury. If the brake pedal defect was not corrected on the first visit, or if the owner experienced reduced braking before the recall remedy was performed, that history supports a claim.
Volvo has notified owners advising them to stop driving their vehicle. Cars will be inspected on-site or towed to dealers and the brake pedals will be replaced as necessary, free of charge. Volvo began contacting their owners on August 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Recall 18V800 addresses a VCM software error that disables telematics and driver-support systems — including emergency call (eCall) capability. Owners who experienced loss of these systems and required multiple dealer visits to restore full function may have a Song-Beverly claim. Document whether the recall software update permanently resolved the issue or whether screen/connectivity problems persisted.
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light
Recall 20V144 covers 2019-2020 XC40 vehicles where an AEB software/hardware incompatibility prevents the Automatic Emergency Braking system from detecting obstacles and engaging as intended. Given that Volvo marketed the XC40's IntelliSafe suite as a key safety feature, a defect in that system goes to the heart of what the buyer paid for. If the ASDM software update did not resolve your AEB issues within two repair visits, consult a California lemon-law attorney about your Song-Beverly rights.
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29998.
brake pedal problem; reduced braking; unexpected braking; brake warning light
Recall 23V012 affects 2023 XC40 vehicles with a Brake Control Module 2 (BCM2) diagnostic error that disables ABS, Electronic Stability Control, and traction control — critical active safety systems. Volvo's remedy was an OTA BCM2 software update. Owners who did not receive or did not have the OTA update successfully installed, or who experienced ABS/ESC warning lights returning after the update, may have grounds for a Song-Beverly claim based on repeated unsuccessful repair attempts for this safety defect.
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.
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Recall 23V188 addresses a TCAM software bug causing a false 'e-Call Service Required' warning in 2023 XC40 vehicles. While the warning itself does not disable a safety system, a persistent false warning that the dealer cannot permanently clear — despite multiple software update visits — may still constitute a substantial impairment of use under Song-Beverly, particularly if the warning causes owner anxiety, misuse of dealer resources, and repeated repair attempts without resolution.
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.
warning light; recall notice; repeated dealer repair
Recall 24V010 addresses a 2024 XC40 Central Electronic Module software error that causes the left rear turn signal to stop functioning — a federal lighting requirement under FMVSS 108. Owners whose turn signal continued to malfunction after the CEM software update (OTA or dealer), or who required multiple visits before the update was successfully applied, should document those repair attempts. Under Song-Beverly, a federal safety-standard non-compliance that is not corrected within a reasonable number of attempts supports a lemon-law claim.
The CEM software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 16, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10256.
backup camera blank; screen goes black in reverse; rearview camera distorted
Recall 25V282 covers 2021-2025 XC40 vehicles where the rearview camera fails to display when the vehicle is placed in reverse — a federal safety-standard (FMVSS 111) violation. The recall remedy is a software update, but a subsequent recall (25V908) was issued in 2026 for the same defect, confirming the first fix was inadequate for some vehicles. Owners whose cameras continued to show 'unavailable' after the 25V282 update have an exceptionally strong Song-Beverly argument: the manufacturer's own second recall acknowledges the first repair attempt was insufficient.
The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10320.
car brakes suddenly with nothing in front; Pilot Assist slams on brakes for no reason; IntelliSafe applies brakes unprompted; vehicle stops suddenly on highway; phantom braking at intersections; dealer says cannot duplicate; forward collision warning goes off with no obstacle
Phantom braking is a safety defect that has prompted multiple NHTSA complaints and repeated dealer visits with a cannot-duplicate outcome — a classic Song-Beverly scenario. California lemon law (Cal. Civ. Code §1793.2) presumes a reasonable number of repair attempts after two attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury. Owners who have brought the vehicle in two or more times for this unresolved condition may have grounds for a repurchase or replacement claim.
Dealer ASDM software update (Volvo OTA or dealer flash); if symptom persists, radar sensor cleaning and re-calibration. Some owners report recurrence after updates.
touchscreen goes black while driving; infotainment screen freezes and restarts; center console display blank at startup; navigation not available; Google maps crashes; both screens go dark simultaneously; wireless Android Auto disconnects and reconnects; Apple CarPlay drops connection; screen reboots mid-trip; do not drive message appears
Infotainment defects that render the navigation, climate, and safety-alert display inoperative while driving are not merely cosmetic — California courts have found that features sold as integral to the vehicle's safe operation can support a Song-Beverly claim when the repair history shows multiple unsuccessful dealer visits. Owners with three or more repair orders for screen freezes, reboots, or blackouts should document each visit with dates, mileage, and the written repair order.
Dealer software update or full system reinstall; OTA update if available. For 2023+ Google Built-In issues, Volvo has pushed multiple OTA patches; some owners report improvement, others report recurrence.
harsh downshift when stopping; transmission lurches from reverse into drive; propulsion system failure message on screen; car moves very slowly and then stops; transmission clunks when engaging gear; jerky acceleration from low speed; slow down vehicle will reduce speed warning; vehicle towed after transmission fault
Transmission shudder, harsh shifts, and propulsion-fault events that recur after multiple dealer TCM software updates represent the 'substantial impairment of use, value, or safety' standard under Song-Beverly. A pattern of three or more repair attempts for the same powertrain drivability symptom within the warranty period may support a California lemon-law claim, particularly when the vehicle has been towed as a result.
TCM software calibration update via dealer; if harsh shifts persist, hydraulic valve-body inspection. Transmission fluid flush and refill with Aisin-spec ATF has provided temporary improvement in some cases.
brake pulsation when stopping; steering wheel shakes when applying brakes; brakes squealing at low mileage; front rotors warped at 15,000 miles; grinding noise from front brakes after rain; brakes seize after vehicle parked overnight wet; brake pedal vibrates; replaced rotors but problem comes back
Under California's Song-Beverly Act, brake system defects are inherently safety-related and the two-attempt presumption (Cal. Civ. Code §1793.22) applies when the same brake warping or seizure symptom recurs after two repair attempts. Owners who have had rotors replaced multiple times within the warranty period should retain all repair orders, as this documented repair history is central to a lemon-law claim.
Front rotor and pad replacement; caliper slides cleaned and lubricated. Some owners have had improvement switching to aftermarket rotors; however, Volvo dealers typically re-install OEM rotors under warranty.
car goes completely dead while driving; all warning lights on then everything shuts off; vehicle stranded and will not restart; tow mode will not engage because no power; doors will not unlock; windows inoperable; flashers inoperable; car stalls at stop light then won't start; safety mode appears then total shutdown
A vehicle that shuts down completely without warning at speed represents a clear safety hazard and a substantial impairment of use and safety under Song-Beverly. Owners who have experienced multiple CEM-related shutdown events — especially those resulting in a tow — with no lasting dealer fix are strong lemon-law candidates. California courts have consistently held that recurring inability to operate the vehicle supports a buyback claim.
CEM software update or CEM module replacement; 12V battery replacement if sub-spec. Dealer diagnosis typically required because the vehicle cannot communicate via OBD when fully powered down.
low oil light on before next scheduled service; oil level drops quart per 1,000 miles; blue smoke from exhaust; burning oil smell; check engine light; engine oil consumption higher than normal; have to add oil between oil changes; oil consumption test required by dealer
Excessive oil consumption that forces an owner to add oil between service intervals and leads to repeated dealer visits — especially when the dealer requires an 'oil consumption test' process that itself takes weeks — can constitute a substantial impairment of use under Song-Beverly. If the underlying engine defect is not permanently remedied within a reasonable number of attempts, owners may qualify for a buyback or replacement.
Oil consumption test (typically dealer-monitored over 1,000-mile interval); PCV system inspection and replacement; if consumption exceeds manufacturer threshold, short-block replacement under warranty or extended warranty.
heater blows cold air; air conditioning only blows hot air; temperature control not responding; clicking noise from dashboard HVAC area; blend door rattle behind center console; heat stuck on one setting; fan works but temperature will not change; HVAC actuator grinding noise
Loss of climate control in a vehicle sold as a premium crossover — particularly in California where summer temperatures routinely exceed 100°F — constitutes a functional impairment under Song-Beverly. If the actuator has failed more than once or the same symptom returns after repair, the pattern supports a lemon-law argument based on recurring defect with no permanent remedy.
Blend door actuator replacement; dealer typically must remove center console or lower dashboard trim to access the unit. Parts and labor covered under the basic 4-year/50,000-mile warranty.
backup camera says unavailable when reversing; camera not available message every time; screen black in reverse after software update; backup camera flickers then goes black; camera shows four yellow circles instead of video; recall software fix did not work; dealer performed recall update but camera still fails
Federal law (FMVSS 111) requires a functioning rearview camera on all vehicles manufactured after May 2018, making a persistent backup camera failure a federal safety standard non-compliance — not merely a convenience issue. Under Song-Beverly, a safety-standard defect that recurs after a manufacturer's attempted recall repair is particularly strong grounds for a lemon-law buyback claim, as the owner can demonstrate that the statutory recall remedy was ineffective.
Install latest OTA update (25V908 campaign); if symptom persists, dealer hardware inspection of rear camera wiring harness and camera module replacement.
remedy available
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
remedy available
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2024 XC40 vehicles. A diagnostic error in the Central Electronic Module (CEM) software may cause the left rear turn signal indicator to not function.
remedy available
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).
remedy available
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.
remedy available
Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.
remedy available
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.
remedy available
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2019 Volvo XC40 vehicles. The brake pedals may not have been correctly riveted, allowing the pedal to move out of position, possibly reducing braking performance.
remedy available
Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2019 Volvo XC40 vehicles. The rear seats may not have rear seat back lock strikers, allowing the seat back to move forward during certain hard braking conditions or a crash.
Every item below comes from this vehicle's documented defects. The more you recognize, the more a free case review is worth your time.
The California Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §1790 et seq.) applies to every new Volvo XC40 purchased or leased in California. This is general information only — not legal advice — and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this.
If Volvo or its authorized dealers cannot repair a defect that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of your XC40 within a reasonable number of attempts, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or a full refund (minus a usage allowance). The law creates a rebuttable presumption that the repair threshold has been exceeded when: (1) the same defect was subject to repair four or more times during the warranty period and is still not fixed; or (2) the vehicle was out of service for more than 30 cumulative days. Under §1793.22(b), for defects likely to cause death or serious injury — phantom braking, total CEM power loss, brake failure — the presumption applies after just two unsuccessful repair attempts.
XC40 defects most likely to support a claim: Pilot Assist phantom braking recurring after dealer software updates; rearview camera failures persisting after Recall 25V282; complete electrical shutdown requiring towing; and brake defects under Recalls 18V554 or 23V012 not permanently corrected. If you prevail, Volvo pays your attorney fees — so qualified California lemon-law representation typically costs the owner nothing out of pocket. Preserve every repair order and recall notice. Law as of 2026.
“Could not duplicate” doesn't mean the defect isn't real. Here's exactly what to do to protect a potential California lemon-law claim.
Document the moment it happens. Photos, video, and screenshots of any warning lights — with the date and the mileage.
Get a repair order every visit — even “found nothing.” That paperwork is the foundation of a claim.
Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Note any recall that has no available remedy yet.
Track your out-of-service days. California law counts the cumulative days your vehicle spends in the shop.
Keep loaner & rental records. Alternate-transport paperwork during long repairs matters.
Save everything in one place. Symptoms, dates, repair orders, and every repeat visit — the intermittent ones especially.
The XC40's most documented defects — phantom braking, screen blackouts, camera failures — are intermittent. Here is what to do when the dealer says 'could not reproduce.'
1. Get a written repair order every visit, even when nothing is found. California lemon law counts attempts, not successes. A 'could not duplicate' RO still counts.
2. Use technical language when describing symptoms. Instead of 'the screen went black,' say: 'The center display and instrument cluster went dark simultaneously at 45 mph; the vehicle continued to drive; screens rebooted after approximately 3 minutes.' Precise descriptions are harder to dismiss.
3. Capture evidence in the moment. Pull over safely and record a short phone video before the system reboots. A dashcam showing phantom-brake stops with no obstacle is powerful documentation.
4. Log every event: exact date, odometer, weather, road type. Volvo's ADAS phantom-braking pattern is more frequent near intersections or in mixed lighting; this context helps the dealer reproduce it on a tech ride.
5. Ask the dealer for a software version check and all available updates at each visit. Volvo does not always proactively push available calibration fixes; ask specifically.
6. Request the installed software version be noted on your repair order. If the symptom returns, you need proof the update was applied before the recurrence.
7. After two or more unsuccessful visits for a safety defect, consult a California lemon-law attorney. Under Song-Beverly, the manufacturer bears the burden once the two-attempt safety-defect presumption threshold is met.
The Volvo XC40 is a genuinely good small crossover that has been hampered by software instability across its entire CMA-platform generation. Volvo has issued six separate recall campaigns on the ICE XC40 since 2018 — a number that reflects real engineering problems, not bad luck. The recurring rearview-camera failure, which required a second recall to partially address, is particularly telling: it suggests that Volvo's software team is playing catch-up with a platform that is more complex than the company initially accounted for. The phantom-braking pattern, which has generated dozens of NHTSA ODI complaints across every model year, has no recall fix for owners of 2021 and newer models. If your XC40 has been in the shop repeatedly for any of these issues and is still not fixed, that is not a normal ownership experience — and California law exists precisely to address it.
— The Margarian Law team
If your Volvo XC40 has been to the dealer multiple times for phantom braking, screen blackouts, a backup camera that still will not work after the recall update, or repeated electrical failures — you may have rights under California's lemon law. Margarian Law has handled thousands of lemon-law cases and offers a free case review with no obligation. Call or submit your repair orders today.
Owners report the XC40's IntelliSafe / Pilot Assist system applying emergency braking when no obstacle is present — a defect documented in dozens of NHTSA complaints (e.g., ODI #11203801) across 2019-2024 models. Recall 20V144 addressed an AEB software/hardware incompatibility for 2019-2020 vehicles. For 2021-2024 models, no dedicated recall has been issued as of June 2026. If your XC40 has phantom-braked more than once after a dealer visit, document every event with date, location, and mileage — this pattern may support a California Song-Beverly lemon-law claim after two or more unsuccessful repair attempts for a safety defect.
The XC40 infotainment blackout affects both the 2019-2022 Sensus Connect platform and the 2023+ Google Built-In system. NHTSA ODI complaint #11423449 documents a 2021 XC40 whose dual screens went black within weeks of purchase, requiring a full software reinstall that did not hold. The 2023 transition to Android Automotive OS introduced new crash-loop bugs (The Verge, Jan 2023). Volvo recall 18V800 addressed a 2019 VCM software fault. Ask your dealer for all available software updates and request that the installed version be noted on your repair order. Three or more screen-blackout repair visits may support a California lemon-law claim.
Not always. Recall 25V282 issued a software update for 2021-2025 XC40 rearview cameras that fail to display in reverse. But Volvo issued a second recall campaign — 25V908 in 2026 — for the identical defect, confirming the first fix was insufficient for some vehicles. NHTSA complaint #11703383 documents a 2022 XC40 that continued showing 'Camera Not Available' after the 25V282 update. Under federal law (FMVSS 111), a rearview camera must work every time. If your camera still fails after the recall update, return to the dealer and demand a repair order documenting the continued failure — this strengthens a Song-Beverly lemon-law claim.
The ICE Volvo XC40 (gas-powered) has eight NHTSA recall campaigns as of June 2026: 18V535 (rear seat strikers), 18V554 (brake pedal rivets), 18V800 (VCM software), 20V144 (AEB incompatibility), 23V012 (BCM2/ABS loss), 23V188 (eCall false warning), 24V010 (CEM/turn signal), and 25V282 (rearview camera). A second rearview-camera campaign, 25V908, was issued in 2026. Three of these eight recalls address brake or active-safety systems; two address software defects in the electrical/telematics module. California owners whose vehicles required multiple dealer visits for any of these recalls may have lemon-law rights under Song-Beverly.
Some XC40s may qualify as lemons under California's Song-Beverly Act if they have had the same defect repaired two or more times (for safety issues) or four or more times (for other defects) during the warranty period without a permanent fix, or if the vehicle was out of service for more than 30 cumulative days. Documented XC40 patterns that have supported lemon-law cases include: phantom AEB braking that recurs after dealer software updates, complete electrical shutdowns requiring towing, persistent backup camera failures after the Recall 25V282 repair, and repeated brake rotor replacements. Consult a California lemon-law attorney with your repair orders to evaluate whether your specific XC40 qualifies.
A complete electrical shutdown on the XC40 — where all systems including the dashboard, power windows, door locks, and flashers fail simultaneously — has been documented in multiple NHTSA complaints (e.g., ODI #11671271: four such failures in one 2022 XC40 in three months). Immediately move to the shoulder safely, turn on hazard lights if they respond, and call for a tow. Do not allow the dealer to simply reset the module and return the car without a documented fix — demand a written explanation of the root cause and the repair performed. Each tow event and each repair order documenting a failure to restart counts as evidence in a California lemon-law claim.
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