I was driving on the freeway in traffic, thankfully going about +/- 25 mph and had to stop/slow down. When I tapped the breaks, they completely failed. All warning lights in the car immediately came on including the warning 'Stop Safely Break Failure'. I pressed the breaks as hard as a I could and pulled off the shoulder to slow the car and not rear-end someone. When the car finally came to stop I drove 5 mph off freeway on shoulder using the emergency break, terrified I would hit another car or person. I made it to a parking lot but could not put the car in park- it was then stuck in neutral, could not be put into drive or reverse, and all the warning lights still flickered on/off...the air conditioning could not be shut off and windows would not roll down.
The worst 2026 Volvo EX40 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes1
- Driver assistance1
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes1
- Driver assistance1
- Transmission1
Recalls 1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: electric: control module: software
- What is wrong
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 Volvo C40 BEV, 2025 EC40, 2023-2024 XC40 BEV, 2020-2026 XC90 PHEV, 2022-2026 XC60 PHEV, 2023-2025 S60 PHEV, 2024-2025 V60 PHEV, and 2025-2026 EX40 and 2025 S90 PHEV vehicles. In certain driving scenarios while coasting down a hill and using "B" mode or "One Pedal Drive," the vehicle may lose brake function.
- Risk
- A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to use "B" Mode (for plug-in hybrid vehicles) or "One Pedal Drive" (for pure electric vehicles) until the repair has been completed. The brake module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10329.
Recall number 25V392000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2026 Volvo EX40 5
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 2026 Volvo EX40 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Compare the 2026 Volvo EX40
Other model years
20252026
Questions about the 2026 Volvo EX40
Is the 2026 Volvo EX40 reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2026 Volvo EX40, fewer than a typical EX40 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2026 Volvo EX40?
Brakes, with 1 complaint. Next is driver assistance (1).
How many recalls does the 2026 Volvo EX40 have?
1 recall, covering service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 2026 Volvo EX40 brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 25V392000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
Is there a class action lawsuit over the Volvo EX40?
Yes. New class action says Volvo's Google-based infotainment screens freeze and take climate and rearview camera with them (November 9, 2026).
VIN decoder
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