RoadVitals

2009 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.
10
Latest Oct 22, 2021
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.
3
Latest Nov 22, 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.
3

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Volvo S40, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), engine and fuel system categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 154 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

  • Powertrain (other)325.0%
  • Engine216.7%
  • Fuel system18.3%
  • Exterior lighting18.3%
  • Other / unspecified18.3%
  • Suspension18.3%
  • Brakes18.3%
  • Tires & wheels18.3%

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

3 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
Nov 22, 2010
7,420 units potentially affected
The defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RAIL'S DETECTION SYSTEM WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND MAY PERMIT THE PASSENGER TO FORWARD THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM.
The risk: POSITIONING OF THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT POWER SEAT STOPS FOR BOTH FRONT SEATS FOR THE PRESENCE OF AN "END STOP" AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR AT [email protected].
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.Manufacturer number R235View 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

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Jul 23, 2008
1,020 units potentially affected
The defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING MY 2008-2009 VEHICLES. A SECTION OF THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE WAS NOT PROPERLY VULCANIZED (CURED) AND DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE FAILS, A SUDDEN RUPTURE OF THE HOSE CAN OCCUR.
The risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN A RAPID DRAINAGE OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE SYSTEM AND A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.Manufacturer number 201View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Filed Oct 22, 2021

I purchased the 2009 Volvo on 10/5 at M&M Auto Sales LLC and on 10/9 at 6:20 am my vehicles check engine light turned on and a transmission service urgent light turned on. On 10/11 I went to AAMCO and they informed me that the transmission needed repairs costing up to 4k. When I purchased the car the dealership disclosed to me that the vehicle is in perfect condition. As of 10/21 I went to a Mechanic Shop called Pegoraro and ran a full auto diagnostic on the vehicle. With repairs on the vehicle costing $12,433.03 which involve fixes to the Timing Belt, Cooling System Fluid Exchange, Drive Belt Tensioner/Idle Assembly, Automatic Transmission Assembly, Remove and Install, Brake Fluid Exchange, and Lastly Disc Brake Pads, Rotors and Calipers (Rear). Obviously the vehicle isn't in "perfect condition". After getting this diagnostic I was informed that the vehicles Odometer has been tampered with as well as a bunch of other codes have been turned off before I purchased this vehicle. I just want a refund for this vehicle and to take my business elsewhere.

NHTSA ID
11437843
Incident
Oct 10, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 4, 2018

REPLACEMENT OF CV JOINTS- OCTOBER 2018 MY VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH LEAKAGE FROM THE CV JOINTS WHICH SPLATTERED ALL UNDERNEATH MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD 69,000 MILES. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A PROBLEMS WITH SO FEW MILES. HE STATED THAT MY VEHICLE'S STEERING WOULD HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED IF THEY HAD FAILED AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE. I TRAVEL 1 HOUR ONE DAILY TO WORK. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT IF IT HADN'T BEEN DIAGNOSED IN TIME. IT HAS BEEN SINCE THEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID
11156048
Incident
Oct 27, 2018
Mileage
69,400 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 4, 2018

HEADLIGHT WIRING- MADE AN ATTEMPT TO CHANGE LIGHT BULBS FOR HEADLAMPS. COVERING AROUND ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS WHICH CONNECT TO HEADLIGHT CRUMBLED IN MY HANDS AND ELECTRICAL WIRING IS EXPOSED. WORRIES THAT THIS MAY BE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD TO MY VEHICLE AND MYSELF. MY VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID
11156046
Incident
Dec 3, 2018
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed May 8, 2017

IMPROPER DRAINING ROUTE WHICH IN RESULT CAUSES MOLD AND DAMAGE TO FLOOR MATS AND SEAT CUSHIONS IN RAINY WEATHER. TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS HIGHER ACIDITY LEVELS. COOLANT REGULARLY FALLS BELOW MINIMUM LEVEL REQUIRED.

NHTSA ID
10984381
Incident
May 7, 2017
Mileage
80,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 22, 2016

BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 1 YEAR OF EACH OTHER. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN OVER ROUGH TERRAIN OR POT HOLES.

NHTSA ID
10918075
Incident
May 20, 2014
Mileage
95,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 6, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO S40. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FUEL LINE WAS FRACTURED. THE TRANSMISSION FUEL LINE AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ID
10788898
Incident
Feb 24, 2015
Mileage
65,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Mar 19, 2014

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) FAILURE WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH AT HIGH SPEED. TPMS AIR STEM BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THE TPMS THEN FELL INTO THE TIRE, LEAVING THE AIR STEM HOLE WIDE OPEN, WHICH RESULTED IN RAPID DEFLATION OF THE TIRE. OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BARELY KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND BRING IT SAFELY TO A STOP; TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED - NOTHING BUT THE WHEEL RIM WAS LEFT. MECHANIC / RECOVERY PERSONNEL WITH TOW TRUCK SAID IT WAS A MINOR MIRACLE THAT AN ACCIDENT/ CRASH WAS AVOIDED. WHEN REPORTED TO VOLVO, NO SUPPORT OR ACTION TAKEN ON THEIR PART. THEN EXPERIENCED A SECOND TPMS FAILURE APPROXIMATELY 7 MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 30 MPH ON THE WAY HOME; TIRE WAS FLAT AND MECHANIC SAID TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS IT WAS DRIVEN WHILE DEFLATED. AGAIN REPORTED FAILURE TO VOLVO DEALER, AND THIS TIME THEY DID LISTEN TO MY COMPLAINT AS ANOTHER OWNER REPORTED SAME PROBLEM. VOLVO DETERMINED THAT THE TPMS AIR STEM WAS UNABLE TO WITHSTAND NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, AND BECOMING BRITTLE AND BREAKING, AND SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSING RAPID LOSS OF AIR IN THE TIRE, AND DANGEROUS SITUATION IF FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. VOLVO REPLACED ALL FOUR TPMS ON VEHICLE AND REIMBURSED ME FOR THE TIRES THAT WERE DESTROYED BECAUSE OF THE TPMS FAILURES. VOLVO DEALER SENT OUT EMAIL NOTIFYING OWNERS OF ALL US SPEC VOLVO MODEL YEARS 2004 THROUGH MODEL YEAR 2011 (PRODUCTION WEEK 40 CALENDAR YEAR 2010), EXCEPT THE XC90 MODEL, ABOUT THE TPMS PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED THEY BE CHECKED. I AM SURPRISED AND DISAPPOINTED WITH VOLVO, BECAUSE A TPMS FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED IS VERY LIKELY TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND DEATH. A SAFETY RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE BY NOW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10573317
Incident
Jul 1, 2012
Mileage
30,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 27, 2014
Fire reported

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A GROCERY STORE 3 MILES AWAY. A QUARTER MILE FROM THE HOUSE SHE NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS FROM THE OUTSIDE SINCE BRUSH FIRES ARE COMMON AROUND SOUTH FL. SHE PARKED ONTO OUR DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM AROUND THE HOOD. SHE TOOK THE KEY OFF OF THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING. SHE CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHILE A NEIGHBOR HELPED AND OPENED THE HOOD. IMMEDIATELY SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING AND THEY OBSERVED FIRE IN THE ENGINE.TWO FIRE ENGINES SHOWED UP AND CONTAINED THE FIRE BEFORE DOING ANY FURTHER DAMAGE. MOST OF THE VISIBLE DAMAGE IS BETWEEN THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE AIR FILTER HOUSING. ON THAT DRIVE NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, THE CAR RADIO WAS WORKING MY WIFE SAID IT WAS UNEVENTFUL UNTIL THE SHE NOTICED THE SMOKE. MY WIFE WAS SCARED AND STRESSED BEYOND FROM WHAT SHE HAD TO GO THROUGH. THE CARS WARNING SYSTEM DID NOT WORK, THERE WAS SEVERE FAILURE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN ON A 4 YR OLD CAR. I CALLED THE LOCAL VOLVO DEALER AND THE REP I SPOKE WITH WAS TOTALLY UNHELPFUL AND DID NOT OFFER ANYTHING. I CONTACTED THE VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SO FAR I HAVE GOTTEN A COUPLE OF EMAILS .

NHTSA ID
10567209
Incident
Oct 22, 2013

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
2009Viewing103055.1
2008162053.7
2007252050.1
2006583043.5
2005693043.1
2004486052.0
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.