How we rated the best and worst Volvo C40 Recharge years

The 2023 C40 Recharge is the year to approach most carefully, carrying the highest recall count of any model year - including a brake-loss defect, an airbag deployment risk, and an e-call software fault - while the 2022 launch year and the 2024 model come out ahead on a per-recall, per-documented-fault basis.

CarComplaints tracks complaints on the Volvo C40 Recharge and has only 1 complaint on file - so thin that the site itself notes the model may simply be “very, very good.” Because CarComplaints’ PainRank algorithm (which ranks by repair cost and mileage at failure) cannot produce a meaningful worst-year verdict from a single complaint, this guide weights its worst-year ranking on NHTSA recall campaign volume and the severity of documented defects per model year - a different dataset. CarComplaints PainRank and NHTSA complaint/recall volume are different measurements; this guide attributes each claim to its correct source throughout. Supplementary owner sentiment comes from Kelley Blue Book consumer reviews and Edmunds owner reviews, and crash-safety data from the IIHS.

Every Volvo C40 Recharge model year ranked

The C40 Recharge was introduced in the 2022 model year; beginning with 2025 models, it was renamed the EC40. Every model year of the C40 Recharge sits in the single first generation, and all three years are assessed below.

Most common Volvo C40 Recharge problems

The single most serious documented fault across all C40 Recharge model years is the brake-control software defect that can result in complete loss of braking power during downhill one-pedal driving. Beyond that, owners and NHTSA records surface four additional recurring categories - airbag deployment risk, rearview camera dropout, charging and software glitches, and e-call false warnings - each covered below.

1. Brake-control software defect (complete brake loss)

The defect is linked to brake-control software version 3.5.14. If a driver coasts downhill for more than 100 seconds without pressing the accelerator or brake pedal while in “One Pedal Drive” mode, the system may disable braking entirely - and in some cases, pressing the brake afterward may not restore functionality.

NHTSA recall 25V-392 was issued on June 12 covering 11,469 vehicles, including the 2023 Volvo C40 BEV. NHTSA urged owners of affected plug-in hybrid or battery electric vehicles to immediately complete this over-the-air safety recall, warning that without the remedy an affected vehicle could completely lose its ability to brake while going downhill - a defect that had already caused one serious incident captured on video.

The remedy is a software update; software version 3.6.4 is designed to correct the issue in the Brake Control Module. Volvo delivered the fix over-the-air at no charge. Before buying any 2023 C40 Recharge, confirm the VIN shows this recall as closed - it is a non-negotiable check, not an optional one. No repair cost applies if the OTA update has been completed; leaving it unaddressed is the only costly scenario.

2. Airbag module (FSAB) misfire risk

Volvo recalled certain 2023-2024 C40 vehicles because the clamps may be improperly crimped on the driver’s side inner far-side airbag module (FSAB), which can cause the airbag to deploy improperly. An improperly deploying airbag may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing injury risk; dealers replace the driver’s side inner FSAB, free of charge.

This is NHTSA recall 24V-938, Volvo recall number R10296, affecting 2023-2024 C40 vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2025. The fix is a dealer-performed physical part replacement - it cannot be done over the air, so confirm a service record showing the repair is complete. This recall does NOT affect 2022 models.

3. Rearview camera dropout

The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse; NHTSA found these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, “Rear Visibility.” The remedy is a software update performed by a dealer or through an OTA update, free of charge.

NHTSA recall 25V-908 (Volvo recall R10333) covers 2022-2024 C40 BEV vehicles, replacing the earlier recall 25V-282. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V-282 need to have the new remedy performed. When shopping any C40 year, check whether the VIN shows 25V-908 - not just 25V-282 - as closed, since Volvo superseded the earlier fix with a new software version.

4. Charging errors and software glitches

If there is one C40 Recharge complaint that shows up again and again in owner accounts, it is some version of “Error charging” or the charge-port ring flashing red, usually when the driver needs power the most. Owners commonly report intermittent charging errors on public fast chargers - usually fixable with software updates or minor hardware service - and infotainment restarts and app glitches are widely reported but rarely leave the car undriveable. The overall pattern is solid hardware with fussy software.

Battery and motors themselves show good durability so far, especially on cars with regular software updates. For a used buyer, the practical step is to test a DC fast-charge session during a pre-purchase inspection and watch for error messages or premature shutoffs - a single Level 2 session alone may not surface intermittent fast-charger faults.

5. E-call system false warning (2023)

A diagnostic trouble code may be falsely detected for the emergency call system and display “e-Call Service Required” in the driver information module. 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.

Volvo recall R10225 covers certain 2023 S60, V60, V60CC, V90CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles for this defect. Dealers update the TCAM software free of charge; owner notification letters were expected to be mailed May 16, 2023. This is a 2023-only concern on the C40 and is resolved by a dealer software visit. Confirm the service record shows it completed.

Which Volvo C40 Recharge years should you avoid

The Volvo C40 Recharge year to avoid is 2023. Consumer Reports alerts that the 2023 Volvo C40 carries 6 recalls - the highest count of any C40 model year - spanning the brake-loss software defect (25V-392), the airbag misfire recall (24V-938/R10296), the e-call false-warning recall (R10225), the BCM2/ABS loss recall (R10217), and both generations of the rearview camera recall (25V-282 and its replacement 25V-908). CarComplaints, with only 1 total complaint on file for the C40 Recharge across all years, cannot produce a PainRank-based worst year, so the worst-year designation here comes from NHTSA recall volume.

**Worst Volvo C40 Recharge years:** 2023

1st-generation Volvo C40 Recharge (2022-2024)

The 2022-2024 C40 Recharge is the original coupe-SUV body with dual-motor AWD and ongoing software evolution. The 2023 model year stands apart from its siblings because it is the only year hit by the brake-loss recall (25V-392), the airbag misfire recall (24V-938), and the e-call software fault (R10225) simultaneously. NHTSA received 0 owner complaints about the 2023 C40 directly, yet NHTSA issued 2 recalls for the 2023 C40 - plus additional campaigns confirmed across the model - meaning the risk profile here is recall-driven rather than complaint-driven.

The 2022 and 2024 years carry the rearview camera recall (25V-908) and the 2024 carries the airbag recall (24V-938), but neither year is subject to the brake-loss defect. That single defect - with its “do not drive” guidance and confirmed real-world incident - is what separates 2023 as the avoid year.

What are the best Volvo C40 Recharge years to buy

The best Volvo C40 Recharge years to buy are 2022 and 2024. Both years avoid the brake-control software defect that defines the 2023 model’s safety record, and both carry strong crash ratings from the IIHS.

**Most reliable Volvo C40 Recharge years:** 2022, 2024

2022 Volvo C40 Recharge

Among the 9 owners who provided KBB feedback on the 2022 C40 Recharge, consumer sentiment is mostly positive with 77% recommending the vehicle. Styling and comfort were rated strongest; 56% gave it five out of five stars. The 2022 is the launch year and carries only the rearview camera recall (25V-908), which is resolved via an OTA software update. The Volvo C40 Recharge earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS soon after launch, a rating that applies to the 2022-2024 model range.

2024 Volvo C40 Recharge

The 2024 C40 Recharge Twin Motor came with new electric motors for an all-wheel-drive setup producing 402 horsepower and 494 lb-ft of torque, with a maximum range of 257 miles - 31 more than the 2023 model. Among KBB reviewers, 77% recommend the 2024 model, with styling and comfort rated as its strongest features. The 2024 carries the airbag recall (24V-938/R10296) and the rearview camera recall (25V-908), both of which are dealer-addressable at no cost - verify both are closed on the VIN before buying.

Volvo C40 Recharge submodel years to avoid

The C40 Recharge is itself the sole powertrain variant of the C40 - there is no gasoline or mild-hybrid C40 sold alongside it. The section below covers the C40 Recharge on its own documented record.

Volvo C40 Recharge years to avoid

On paper the C40 Recharge is a fairly simple EV: dual motors, a large battery, and a shared platform with the XC40 Recharge. The pattern in practice is solid hardware with fussy software. The C40 Recharge was sold in the US for model years 2022, 2023, and 2024 before being renamed the EC40 for 2025.

CarComplaints has only 1 complaint on file for the Volvo C40 Recharge across all model years - not enough data for a PainRank avoid-year verdict. No C40 Recharge model year has accumulated enough owner-complaint volume to flag on CarComplaints. The avoid designation for 2023 is driven entirely by NHTSA recall severity: the brake-loss recall (25V-392), the airbag FSAB recall (24V-938), and the e-call recall (R10225) all concentrate on that year. Our years to avoid methodology applies consistent criteria across recall volume, complaint severity, and safety defect documentation - which is why the 2023’s brake-loss recall, not complaint counts, drives the avoid verdict here.

The pros and cons of owning an electric vehicle are relevant when evaluating the C40 Recharge specifically, since its software-based recall remedies (most are OTA or dealer software updates) are faster and cheaper to resolve than hardware-intensive ICE repairs - but only if they have actually been performed before you buy.

Buyer checks specific to the C40 Recharge:

• Confirm 25V-392 (brake-loss) is closed if buying a 2023

• Confirm 24V-938/R10296 (airbag FSAB) is closed if buying a 2023 or 2024

• Confirm 25V-908/R10333 (rearview camera) is closed on any year

• Test DC fast-charging during the pre-purchase inspection to check for charging errors

Volvo C40 Recharge pre-purchase checklist

Run this checklist before committing to any used C40 Recharge.

• Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall checker at nhtsa.gov/recalls - confirm every campaign is closed, paying special attention to 25V-392, 24V-938, and 25V-908.
• On any 2023 C40 Recharge, verify the brake-software fix (25V-392) is complete - Volvo advised owners not to drive their car and to turn off regenerative braking until the car’s software was updated. A service record entry for the OTA or dealer update to software version 3.6.4 is the proof you need.
• On 2023 and 2024 cars, confirm the airbag FSAB has been replaced under recall R10296/24V-938. An improperly deploying airbag may not protect the driver as intended; dealers replace the FSAB free of charge. This requires a physical dealer visit - an OTA update does not cover it.
• On all model years, check the rearview camera actually displays on startup. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse, reducing the driver’s view behind the vehicle and increasing crash risk. If the camera is blank or delayed, confirm 25V-908 (R10333) has been applied - and note that previous repair under 25V-282 is NOT sufficient.
• Test the charging system - plug into a Level 2 charger and, if possible, a DC fast charger during the inspection. Watch for error messages, premature shutoffs, or unusually slow charge rates. If possible, test a DC fast-charge session as well.
• Check for software update history in the vehicle’s settings menu (Settings > System > Software update). If the vehicle has software version 3.4.5 or older, it is affected by the rearview camera recall and must be updated to version 3.5.14 or later.
• Request full service records - confirm all recall repairs and any software campaigns are listed. For a 2022 C40 Recharge used buyer, you need to confirm all open recalls and software campaigns have been completed; Volvo and NHTSA both provide online VIN lookup tools, and any recall repair should be free.
• Ask about battery degradation - ask a Volvo dealer or independent EV shop to run a capacity test so you are not guessing about battery health.

Better alternatives to consider

If the 2023 C40 Recharge sits in your budget but you are not confident all its recalls have been resolved, these same-class alternatives are worth putting on your list:

• Volvo XC90 - the XC90 has a longer production history and a more extensive year-by-year reliability record, giving used buyers more data points to work from

• Volvo XC70 - a practical Volvo wagon/crossover with a well-documented multi-generation record for buyers open to a non-EV option

• Polestar 2 - shares Volvo’s CMA platform and many EV components with the C40 Recharge, giving it a closely related reliability profile and a similar price point on the used market

• Ford Mustang Mach-E - a mainstream electric SUV in the same price range with a wider dealer network and a longer used-market complaint record for easier year-by-year vetting

Is the Volvo C40 Recharge worth buying

Yes - the C40 Recharge is worth buying as long as you steer away from unvetted 2023 models and confirm all open recalls are closed on whichever year you choose. The C40 Recharge earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, and Euro NCAP tested the model in 2022 and gave it a maximum 5-star overall rating with especially strong adult occupant protection. Battery and motors show good durability so far, especially on cars with regular software updates. The 2022 model is the cleanest used pick; the 2024 is the strongest performer if you want the extended range. Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall checker and verify service records before signing anything.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Volvo C40 Recharge years to buy?

The best years to buy are 2022 and 2024. The 2022 is the launch year with the fewest recalls and strong owner satisfaction ratings, while the 2024 brought a range increase to 257 miles on the Twin Motor and does not carry the brake-loss defect that affects the 2023.

What are the worst years for the Volvo C40 Recharge?

The worst year for the Volvo C40 Recharge is 2023. Consumer Reports shows 6 recalls on the 2023 C40 Recharge - the highest of any model year - including the brake-loss software recall (25V-392), the airbag FSAB defect (24V-938), the BCM2/ABS loss recall (R10217), the e-call false-warning recall (R10225), and both rearview camera campaigns.

Which year Volvo C40 Recharge is most reliable?

The 2022 model year is the most reliable pick on a per-documented-fault basis. Among the 9 owners who provided KBB feedback on the 2022 C40 Recharge, consumer sentiment is mostly positive with 77% recommending the vehicle. It carries only the rearview camera recall (25V-908), which is resolved by an OTA software update - the lightest recall burden of any C40 year.

What year Volvo C40 Recharge has the most serious problems?

The 2023 C40 Recharge has the most serious documented problems. The brake defect is linked to brake-control software version 3.5.14; if a driver coasts downhill for more than 100 seconds without pressing the accelerator or brake pedal in One Pedal Drive mode, the system may disable braking entirely. Volvo recalled 14,014 vehicles across multiple models because they can lose braking power in certain drive modes. Additionally, the 2023 is the only year to carry the airbag FSAB defect and the e-call false-warning fault simultaneously.

How long does a Volvo C40 Recharge last?

The 2023 C40 Recharge comes with a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty. Battery and motors show good durability so far, especially on cars with regular software updates, and the small complaint volume on CarComplaints - just 1 total across all years - suggests most owners are not encountering catastrophic hardware failures. A well-maintained C40 Recharge with all recalls addressed should remain usable well beyond the battery warranty period, though real-world long-term data is still limited given the model’s short production run. The vehicle data and sourcing in this article follow editorial guidelines and research standards that prioritize primary sources - NHTSA, IIHS, and manufacturer recall notices - over secondary aggregators.

Is the Volvo C40 Recharge the same as the EC40?

The C40 Recharge was introduced in the 2022 model year. Beginning with 2025 models, the C40 Recharge became known as the EC40 - the same basic vehicle under a new name. If you are shopping 2025 and later, search for EC40 recall and complaint data rather than C40 Recharge, as the NHTSA and CarComplaints records are filed under the updated name.

Audi