Vehicle has 26k miles on it and is under mfr warranty. Dealer-covered warranty has included five (5) visits to address electrical issues with the most recently being 8/13/26. Dealer "system reflash" is not solving the problems. Electrical / safety issues persists, which include: Loss of ALL audio: blinker sounds, all audible safety alerts (seatbelt warning, park assist, blind spot, forward collision alert, and lane keeping). This has also occassionally coincided with a full dark-out of the driver dashboard while the vehicle is running (speedometer, entire instrument panel). This vehicle is for our teenage daughter and dealer efforts combined with my trouble-shooting (car on/off, hard system reset) is not solving the issue. The backup camera also regularly failed to work and on 12/10/24, the dealer addressed as part of earlier recall notice and the camera seems to be working fine. Other than above, the car has operated normally.
2023 Volvo XC40: backup camera failure
11 of the 49 complaints about the 2023 Volvo XC40 describe backup camera failure.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 22%
- recalls
- 1
Backup camera failure by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was directed downward towards the bumper and the ground. The rearview camera image was not displaying within a normal viewing range, making it difficult to park. No warning lights illuminated. A local dealer was contacted, but was unable to determine a related fault code. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
I am submitting this complaint to report a persistent safety-related defect in my 2023 Volvo XC40. Since the vehicle was purchased, the infotainment system has repeatedly crashed while the vehicle is in operation, at times as often as every 5 minutes. The condition has existed both before and after completion of the recall/software update, and it was not corrected after presentation to an authorized dealer for inspection and repair. These repeated system failures materially affect the safe operation of the vehicle. When the infotainment system crashes, the rearview camera becomes unavailable. In addition, the windows and windshield may fog up, and I may lose access to the controls needed to restore visibility. The loss of forward visibility, combined with the loss of rear camera functionality, creates a substantial and unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety. Although I suspect the problem may involve inadequate hardware or processing capacity, I am not asserting a definitive technical diagnosis. The critical fact is that the vehicle repeatedly loses important operational and safety-related functions while being driven. Because the defect persists despite the recall update and dealer intervention, I request that the federal safety agency investigate this condition as a potential safety defect in the 2023 Volvo XC40.
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera display intermittently was distorted or inoperative. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The contact stated that the infotainment system was intermittently inoperative and had to be manually reset to return to normal operation. The contact stated that the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking and the Back Over Prevention: Automatic System Braking independently activated while there were no vehicles or objects in front or behind the vehicle. The contact was concerned that the failure was causing emotional distress for him and his children and could eventually cause an injury. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact stated that the rear taillights were dim and failed to provide adequate illumination behind the vehicle while in reverse. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis; however, the dealer stated that the vehicle was operating as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was performing normally. The failure mileage was unknown.
I am writing to provide an update on an existing recall, 25V282, for the rear-view camera image failing to display during the start of each reversing event. This issue was meant to be resolved via a software update, which my car received and installed. However, this did not solve the issue. I still receive the "Camera Temporarily Unavailable" message regularly when shifting my car into reverse, and I am unable to see the rearview camera image.
backup camera continues to say 'camera temporarily unavailable' even after software update from recall. latest software update has made the problem worse. Camera frequently fails when backing up
When the vehicle was put into reverse, the rear view camera failed to be displayed on the screen.
My name is [XXX] , and I am writing to escalate a critical and ongoing safety issue following a recent recall-related software update on my Volvo vehicle (VIN: [XXX] ). The recall was intended to resolve a defect involving the rear camera becoming unavailable. However, ever since the update—starting approximately two weeks ago—my car has begun to experience the very issue the recall was meant to fix. The rear camera frequently becomes non-functional, especially while reversing, creating a major safety risk. The latest incident occurred today, [XXX], and I have multiple video recordings clearly documenting the failure over the past two weeks. This malfunction has resulted in accident-prone situations, endangering my safety and that of others. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Back up camera repeatedly fails. Often when put in reverse it says “camera temporarily unavailable “. Sometimes while actively backing up the camera fails. Service center says Volvo is aware but unable to fix.
The rear reverse camera cuts out with a message on the driver display stating "Camera temporarily not available". This occurs ~10% of the time. Other times the camera will flicker in and out but both scenarios result in partial or complete obstruction of view while reversing. With my children and other little children on the street, this is very concerning. The issue was reported to the dealership and software was updated but the problem remains.
Backup camera frequently flickers between video stream and black screen, creating a dangerous situation while backing up. Display screen also frequently displays message sharing camera is not available when shifting into reverse. After multiple trips to Volvo dealership they state the problem is common but nothing they can do about it.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This is a Technical Journal text only no attachments : Improved 12V battery test in VIDA. The 12V battery...
- This is a Technical Journal: Propulsion Message with DTC BECM P0A9500 and/or P0E2F00. Check the following...
- This is a Technical Journal: VCM Backup Battery Replacement with VCM-U105000
- This is a Technical Journal: Improved 12V battery test in VIDA. Service: Don´t charge the battery...
- This is a Technical Journal: ICUP
- Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service
- This is a Technical Journal: Improved 12V battery test in VIDA. Improved 12V battery test in VIDA
- Electrical system
Related recalls
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- 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).
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 23V188000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2023 Volvo XC40 backup camera
Is backup camera failure a common problem on the 2023 Volvo XC40?
11 of 49 owner complaints about the 2023 Volvo XC40 (22%) mention backup camera failure. The model year with the most reports is 2022.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2023 Volvo XC40?
There is 1 recall and 62 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2023 Volvo XC40
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