VolvoXC402021Overview/volvo/xc40/2021/base/

2021 Volvo XC40

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 XC40.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Volvo XC40 pairs an eight-speed automatic transmission with a 5.9-quart oil capacity using 0W-20 viscosity, delivering EPA ratings of 22 city, 30 highway, and 25 combined mpg. Its reliability record includes 40 owner complaints—predominantly centered on the electrical system—and three recalls. Within the model’s complaint history from 2017 to 2024, the highest and lowest complaint years are both 2024 with 12 complaints, placing the 2021 model year’s tally well above that range.

Model year2025202420232022202120202019

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy22/30/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. · Aux. battery 180 CCA battery, OE oil filter 32140029. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Refer to the appropriate service information for options and battery usage. · Aux. battery 180 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size235/55R18 100HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter32140029
Engine air filter32146443
Battery30659531
Front wiper blades32341612
Thermostat31368063 alt 31686046
Cabin air filter31497285 alt 32226484

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.4 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height65 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3721 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined22 / 30 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume98 cu ft
Cargo volume25 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the XC40 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.2–6.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.20 sec — 2021 P8 R-Design Recharge
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021P8 R-Design Recharge Elec 75-kWh4.20 sec12.80 sec402 hpAWD
2021P8 R-Design Recharge Elec 75-kWh4.30 sec12.90 sec402 hpAWD
2021T5 R-Design 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.70 sec248 hpAWD
2020T5 R-Design 2.0L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.80 sec248 hpAWD
2019T5 R-Design 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.80 sec248 hpAWD
2019T5 Momentum 2.0L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.80 sec248 hpAWD
2019T5 R-Design 2.0L Turbo I-46.50 sec14.90 sec248 hpAWD
2019T5 R-Design 2.0L Turbo I-46.70 sec15.10 sec248 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.9 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Rear: Volvo P/N 31259380 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to Use a new seal: 28.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidVolvo P/N 31256774
Automatic Transmission FluidVolvo P/N 31256774
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilRear: Volvo P/N 31259380
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity5.9 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new fasteners only.
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new seal: 28.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new seal: 28.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.06 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Oil Capacity4.4 oz
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.06 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°11 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Center Bolt15 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
129.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120°, Step 3: 120°29.5 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
133.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 50°33 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inside Bolts15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 10,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 40,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 50,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt Tensioner (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The year-by-year federal record for this generation shows a clear longitudinal pattern: the early production years of 2017 and 2018 recorded zero complaints each, with 38 and 58 technical service bulletins (TSBs) respectively, and one recall in each year. By 2024, complaints had risen to 12, TSBs had climbed to 95, and recalls remained at one. The 2021 model year falls between these endpoints on the generation timeline but is not itself present in the year-by-year federal record, meaning its precise comparative position cannot be determined from this data. For the 2021 XC40 specifically, the top complaint areas are Electrical System (5 complaints), Fuel/Propulsion System (4), and Back Over Prevention (3), with 2 crash-related complaints and zero fire complaints reported. The data does not specify whether the increasing complaint trajectory was present in 2021 or emerged later in the model run. Given the escalation from zero to 12 complaints over the generation and the concentration of 2021 complaints in electrical and propulsion systems—components with potential safety implications—prospective buyers should verify that any used 2021 unit has been inspected for these specific issues and confirm all applicable recalls have been completed.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
249
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
40
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 40 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System5
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Unknown Or Other4
Back Over Prevention3
Visibility/Wiper3
Vehicle Speed Control2
Service Brakes2
Power Train,Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 249 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
371482025-06-19EngineThis is a Technical Journal: CEL with DTC ECM P001100, P001200, P001400, P001500. For MY…
366102025-06-13Unknown Or OtherThis is a Technical Journal: Privately Imported Vehicles - Connectivity Setup. Make sure…
TJ31514.1.02025-05-20Forward Collision Avoidancethis a Technical Journal: ASDM = Active Safety Domain Master
 To prevent unnecessary…
369652025-05-17Back Over PreventionThis is a Technical Journal: Park Assistance System enhanced troubleshooting. Clean the…
371482025-05-17EngineThis is a Technical Journal: CEL with DTC ECM P001100, P001200, P001400, P001500. For MY…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific XC40. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 XC40 take?

5.9 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 XC40 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the XC40 get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined mpg.