RoadVitals

2004 Volvo S40

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
48
Latest Nov 8, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Nov 8, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 48 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Volvo S40, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and airbags categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 239 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

Nov 8, 2010
416 units potentially affected
The defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
The risk: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
The remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.Manufacturer number R231View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Jan 28, 2008
23,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, REOCCURRING, LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS SALTY-WET CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE (PEM) TO BECOME CORRODED INTERNALLY. THIS CAN CAUSE A FAULTY SIGNAL TO THE FUEL PUMP, RESULTING IN LOW OR NO FUEL PRESSURE TO THE ENGINE.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE. IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO START OR MAY STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PEM AND INSTALL IT IN A NEW LOCATION TO PREVENT CORROSION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.Manufacturer number 190View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Apr 24, 2006
16,175 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH T5 TURBO ENGINES, THE POLYAMIDE TUBE IN THE FUEL LINE IS SENSITIVE TO THE EXTREME TEMPERATURES THAT MAY OCCUR IN THE AREA WHERE THE TURBO/EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS LOCATED.
The risk: THIS MAY POTENTIALLY RESULT IN FUEL LINE LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE FUEL LINE MATERIAL TO TEFLON FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.Manufacturer number R158View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 8, 2020

HAVING A COOLANT LEAKAGE, CRASH MODE AND SAFETY ALARM SYSTEM CHECK KEEPS COMING ON...WHEN CRASH MODE COMES ON...CAR JUST SHUTS OFF.

NHTSA ID
11373691
Incident
Nov 1, 2020
Mileage
123,713 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40 EQUIPPED WITH COOPER ZEON RS3-A TIRES, SIZE: 205/55/16R (NA). THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRES. THE INSIDE OF THE TREAD HAD A LINE AND THE CONTACT NOTICED DAMAGE OR AN OPENING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE TIRES WERE SEPARATING AT THE TREAD LINE. AN UNKNOWN TIRE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY AFTER THE TIRES HAD BEEN OWNED FOR OVER THREE YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11265371
Incident
Sep 1, 2018
Mileage
145,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 7, 2018

NO COLLISION. SRS LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE 2007. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED WIRING, AIR BAGS AND NOTHING HELPS. SRS LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 7 TO 12 MONTHS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 11 YEARS.

NHTSA ID
11100343
Incident
May 17, 2018
Mileage
140,000 mi
ElectricalSuspension
Filed Apr 10, 2018

THE KEY DOES NOT TURN ALL THE WAY TO TURN THE IGNITION - IT'S LOCKED AFTER TURNING I AND II (NOT TO III). I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN AN UNSAFE AREA. I CALLED VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT I WAS TOLD IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE. I WENT TO YOUTUBE AS TO HOW I COULD FIX IT AND FOUND OUT QUITE A FEE S40 OWNERS HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE COST TO FIX THIS WOULD RUN ABOUT $1000. I FOUND A WAY TO GET AROUND MAKING IT WORK BY REMOVING THE STEERING COVER, PULL THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH A SCREW DRIVER. WITHOUT THE KEY ON THE IGNITION, IT STILL POSES A SAFETY ISSUES BECAUSE WHAT IF THE STEERING LOCKS WHILE I AM DRIVING? ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE SUSPENSION: THE CAR FEEL AS IF IT'S FALLING APART. TWICE WE SPENT OVER A THOUSAND FOR EACH OCCURRENCE. I'M QUITE CERTAIN THERE HAVE A FEW COMPLAINTS ON SIMILAR ISSUES. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH IF YOU COULD KEEP ME IN THE LOOP IF ISSUES COME UP ON THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR WE STILL OWN AND KEEP ON DRIVING. I ALMOST FORGOT, ONE OF THE HEAD LIGHTS DOES NOT AND EVEN SIMPLE REPLACING WITH ONE AFTER A BULB, STILL DOES NOT WORK. I GUESS IT NEEDS A TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO FIGURE IT OUT. AFTER ALL, SUDDEN HEADLIGHT FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR CONSIDERING TO TAKE MY ISSUES.

NHTSA ID
11084482
Incident
Nov 18, 2017
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 6, 2017

THE ISSUE OF NO HEADLIGHTS (LOW-BULB FAILURE) IS DANGEROUS & EXPENSIVE. NOR IS THERE A VIABLE PERMANENT REPAIR AS THE "LOW-BULB FAILURE" ALWAYS RE-OCCURS & HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR ME SINCE MY CAR WAS NEW. SUDDENLY HAVING NO HEADLIGHTS CAUSES A SERIOUS & IMMEDIATE SAFETY ISSUE FOR OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR & FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHO CAN'T SEE A CAR WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS. IT CAN BE 1 HEADLIGHT OR BOTH THAT FAIL WITHOUT WARNING; LEAVING NO TIME TO BRING A VEHICLE TO A STOP SAFELY. THE EXPERIENCE IS FRIGHTENING & DANGEROUS IN THOSE TENSE MOMENTS IT TAKES TO STOP A MOVING CAR ON THE ROAD WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE EVEN BEEN ISSUED A VIOLATION TICKET FROM THE POLICE FOR EQUIPMENT FAILURE DESPITE NUMEROUS REPAIR BILLS THAT I KEEP IN THE CAR. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS AT GETTING VOLVO TO FIX THIS ISSUE, I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO NHTSA SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT WAS TOLD THERE HAD NOT BEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE HEADLIGHT FAILURE PROBLEM TO DO ANYTHING. NOW, YEARS HAVE GONE BY AND I AM STILL DEALING WITH A CAR THAT IS ESSENTIALLY A DAYTIME ONLY CAR AS IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AFTER DARK DUE TO THE UNPREDICTABLE LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS. EACH TIME THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL I BRING THE CAR FOR SERVICE AND EVERY TIME THE HEADLIGHT FAILS AGAIN AND AGAIN WITHIN WEEKS OF THE "REPAIR". REPAIR COST ARE IN THE $500 RANGE. THERE IS NO RECOURSE FOR THE REPAIRS OTHER THAN TO TRY SOMETHING NEW. IT HAS BECOME A PROBLEM THAT IS WIDELY KNOWN AT REPAIR SHOPS; AND AFTERMARKET REPAIR KITS ARE NOW COMMON BECAUSE VOLVO HAS IGNORED THE ISSUE STATING THAT THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM TO ME. IT IS EASY TO FIND MANY CAR OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND FRUSTRATIONS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL AS SUITS BROUGHT AGAINST OTHER AUTO MANUFACTURERS FOR THE WIDE-SCALE FAILURE OF THESE USELESS, DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS. NHTSA SHOULD PROHIBIT THESE HEADLIGHTS AND FORCE ACTION FOR THOSE RESPONSIBLE TO ADDRESS THIS KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10940120
Incident
Jan 4, 2017
Mileage
140,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 23, 2016

BRAKE PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WHENEVER I OPERATE THE GAS PEDAL, THE SIDE OF MY SHOE ALSO ACTIVATES THE BRAKE. THE PROBLEM IS AGGRAVATED BY THE CENTER TUNNEL CARPET INTRUDING ON THE MINIMAL ACCELERATOR PEDAL SPACE.

NHTSA ID
10908871
Incident
Sep 22, 2016
Mileage
42,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 5, 2016

MY VEHICLE DOORS LOCK UP AND CAN'T BE UNLOCKED DUE TO FAULTY LOCKS. NO WAY TO GET DOOR OR DOORS TO UNLOCK. WHICH CAN CAUSE DEATH IF INVOLVED IN A ROLL OVER, SUBMERGED, OR ANY MAJOR ACCIDENTS. IT CAN BE ANY DOOR ON THE VEHICLE. ON MINE IT'S MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR WHICH MY CHILD SITS NEXT TOO IN HER CAR SEAT. I'VE READ MANY OTHER VOLVOS HAVE THIS ISSUE AND VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR. VOLVO SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A VOLVO DEALER MECHANIC THAT THESE S40 ARE VERY KNOWN TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. FOR MY EXPERIENCE OF THIS HAPPENING IS JUST DRIVING HOME AND PARKING. TRIED TO GET MY DAUGHTER OUT AND IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE KEY FAUBOURG, THE POWER LOCK SWITCH AND TRIED PULLING ON HANDLE AND NOTHING UNLOCKS THIS DOOR. I READ THAT THE LOCK ACTUATORS ARE THE CAUSE OR ITS THE WIRING HARNESS. I ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM IN THE TRUNK. ONLY THE KID NAPPED CORD WORKS TO GET THE TRUNK TO OPEN. PLEASE GET VOLVO TO FIX ALL THERE ACTUATORS BEFORE KIDS OR ADULTS GET TRAPPED AND KILLED CAUSE OF THEIR NEGLIGENCE

NHTSA ID
10903603
Incident
Aug 31, 2016
Fuel system
Filed Jun 22, 2016

CAR IS STALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN PUT ON MACHINE ERROR GIVEN IS FUEL PRESSURE. THE FUEL PRESSURE WAS CHECKED AND WAS AT CORRECT PRESSURE FOR THE CAR. I HAVE REPLACED FUEL CENSER AND CAR RAN FINE FOR 2 DAYS THEN SAME ISSUE WITH SAME ERROR THE FUEL CONTROLLER HAS A CORRODED PEN I TRIED TO CALL VOLVO THEY ARE TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO WHEN I CAN CLEARLY SEE THE YEAR MAKE AND MODEL HAVE HAD A RECALL FOR THE EXACT ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING WITH THIS CAR. THE RECALL NUMBER IN YOUR SYSTEM IS 08V033000 I NORMALLY WOULD JUST GET THE CAR FIXED BUT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE IT SEEMS THE LOCATION OF THE CONTROLLER NEEDS TO BE MOVED TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. THIS IS A CAR MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVES SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND MY CONCERN WITH VOVLO NOT WANTING TO CORRECT THIS

NHTSA ID
10875785
Incident
Jun 5, 2016
Mileage
104,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

35526.1.8

ENGINE

This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure
 Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.

37809.1.1

This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. This TJ will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval.
 Current items under prior approval are listed in the "Service" section

19245

This is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.

8501

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session:
 •Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in VIDA is between 12.5V and 14.9V.
 •Connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a VOE (Volvo OBD to Ethernet) adapter and perform a NEW vehicle readout.

S10303

Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles.
 Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob.
 As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle.
 The corrective action is to download SP Software.
 S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.

S10303

Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles.
 Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob.
 As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle.
 The corrective action is to download SP Software.
 S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volvo S40 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012000
2011520
2010920
2009103055.1
2008162053.7
2007252050.1
2006583043.5
2005693043.1
2004Viewing486052.0
2003182041.4
2002271044.1
2001842156.8
20001221250.1
1993000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.