The rear backup camera display system failed, resulting in a completely blank or black center infotainment screen when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. Yes, the vehicle and its Sensus infotainment system software logs are available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of pedestrians were put at immediate risk because the sudden failure of the rearview camera created a severe blind spot directly behind the vehicle. This loss of visibility prevents the driver from seeing small children, pedestrians, or obstacles while backing up. Furthermore, this software malfunction causes the vehicle to become non-compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 111, which legally requires operational rearview image displays to prevent backover accidents. I’m not even sure if the dealership could replicate the issue. All they could tell me is that reinstalling the software is the first step to figuring out the issue. So I paid the fee which ended up being around 230 something dollars. Mind you I stated that it was affecting my backup camera. Yes, it was inspected by the manufacturer's authorized dealership service department. It has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives as no crash has occurred yet. No, there were no warning lights, error messages, or symptoms prior to the failure. The backup camera screen simply went completely black without warning when the car was placed in reverse. The issue first appeared around this year of January
Volvo XC40 screen failure problems
13 of the 219 owner complaints about the Volvo XC40 describe screen or infotainment failure, most of them for the 2021 model year.
- owner complaints
- 13
- worst model year
- 2021
By model year
- 20242
- 20233
- 20223
- 20213
- 20202
Often reported together
What owners say
The rear-view camera is cutting out and/or unresponsive. Upon going into reverse, the rear-view camera occasionally cuts out to a blank screen. In a recent instance, I was in reverse and was completely unable to get the rear-view camera to operate whatsoever. When this occurs it is impossible to see what is directly behind the car. My car was just at the dealership yesterday (8/18/25) and has the current version of the software (v 3.7) installed.
Car has had a previous software recall done at a Volvo dealership to address issues with the back-up camera, but even after the recall, the camera display is still frequently malfunctioning. When in Reverse, the back-up camera display often freezes for several seconds at a time while the car is in motion. This is very dangerous since anything moving behind the car (such as a small child or animal) is completely invisible until the display unfreezes. At least once a week the camera will fail to work entirely and just display a text error on screen: Camera is Temporarily Unavailable. This generally goes away on its own, but often takes putting the car into Park and back into Reverse. Occasionally, resetting the head unit is required to clear the problem.
Volvo xc40 recharge back up camera views Front, Left and right side, rear Views don’t show any video view. Instead I get a black screen with 4 yellow circles with a camera in the center of the circle and a diagonal line through the circle…signifying an inoperative camera
The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that while reversing, the back over prevention screen image malfunctioned and started flickering before displaying a blank screen. During the failure, the message "Camera Unavailable" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was recently repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V282000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 36,000.
The Infotainment system in this automobile freezes frequently denying access to critical auto controls such as, one pedal EV driving, air conditioning/heating controls and many other controls. I have received a message that the, "Camera is Unavailable" and the screen goes dark. The dealer has attempted to reload the software and update the software multiple times all without any remedy.
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC40. The contact stated while reversing, the back-over prevention camera failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the camera displayed a black screen, and the back-over prevention camera was not functioning as needed with an error message displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently serviced at the dealer and the recall repair was performed under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V282000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
Backup camera not working: Repeated get no backup camera image - just see a black screen with message "Camera unavailable" or "Camera temporarily unavailable". This happens more often than the camera works. Seems to be related to OTA software update - had no camera problems for a most of the year and then after an OTA the camera issues began.
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.
The rear backup camera consistently fails to provide a view while in reverse. The camera either blinks between a view and black screen, or will completely fail and say the camera is unavailable.
Related recalls
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- A nonfunctioning exterior turn signal may not notify other drivers of a turning vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 24V010000 · Recall details
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
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery: management system/energy control module (bms/becm): software
- What is wrong
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2022 XC40 Recharge vehicles. The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) microprocessor may reset and cause the high voltage system to disconnect.
- Risk
- A disconnected high voltage system can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will install a software update, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1‑888‑458‑1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10078.
Recall number 21V109000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 18V800000 · Recall details
Questions about the Volvo XC40 screen failure
Which Volvo XC40 years have screen or infotainment failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2021 (3 complaints), 2022 (3 complaints) and 2023 (3 complaints).
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