Volvo S40 Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Volvo S40 options? We analyzed 10 model years (2002–2011) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Volvo S40 has 306 owner complaints and 26 safety recalls across model years 2002–2011. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2005 drew the most complaints; 2011 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Volvo
- Model
- S40
- Model years analyzed
- 2002–2011 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 306
- Safety recall campaigns
- 26
- Crash-related complaints
- 22
- Fire-related complaints
- 7
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2005 (81 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2011 (5 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Volvo S40: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe VOLVO S40 has 306 NHTSA complaints and 26 recalls on record. 22 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 306 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 26 federal recall campaigns
- 22 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
26 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
SEATS
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
SEATS
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
SEATS
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2002–2011. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 306 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
306 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Hello. The warning of the device is on the dashboard that the SRS is not functional
I got into a car accident today. The electrical wiring is constantly giving out and I had no idea my airbags wouldn't work until today when they did not deploy. My car hit the other car enough to move it several feet and no airbags.
The adhesive and seal on the entire top of my windshield has failed. The glass is shaking while driving and rattles severely if a small bump is driven over on the road. This is a huge safety concern since my window could break or fall off at any given moment.
The windshield is coming unglued at the top center and right . I am concerned that the windshield could come out on the highway, I plan to contact a windshield shop and see if they can repair it.
I WAS DRIVING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY 101, JUST SOUTH OF WILLITS, CALIFORNIA, WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED. I COULD SEE THAT MY SUNROOF WAS MOSTLY GONE AND THERE WAS PIECES OF GLASS FALLING ON ME. I CALLED MY HUSBAND TO HELP CALM ME DOWN, AS MY HEART WAS RACING AND I WAS SHAKING. I PUT MY HAZARDS ON AN PULLED OVER A LITTLE MORE FOR SAFETY. JUST THEN I NOTICED A MAN WALKING TOWARD ME FROM FURTHER UP THE HIGHWAY. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND COULD HEAR THE CONVERSATION THAT THE MAN WAS HAVING WHILE ON HIS PHONE. WHEN HE HUNG UP THE PHONE, HE STATED THE HE CALLED 911. THE MAN EXPLAINED THAT HE WAS PASSING ME AND WITNESSED WHAT LOOKED LIKE ICE COMING UP OUT OF MY SUNROOF AND IT HIT HIS CAR. THE MAN WAS VISIBLY UPSET, BUT COULD SEE THAT I WAS NOT AT FAULT, AND ACTED APPROPRIATELY. THE MAN SAID THAT THE GLASS HAD CHIPPED THE CAR THAT HE WAS DRIVING. HE APPEARED AS SURPRISED AS I WAS ABOUT THE SITUATION. THE MAN HELPED ME TO PICK UP THE LOOSE GLASS AND THE GLASS ON MY SEATS. HE THEN SUGGESTED MOVING UP THE ROAD A FEW HUNDRED FEET WHERE HE WAS PULLED OFF, AS THE HIGHWAY PATROL WERE IN ROUTE. THE HP MADE SURE THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND ASKED THAT WE EXCHANGE INSURANCE. WE BOTH TOOK PICTURES, I GAVE MY INFORMATION TO ONE OF THE CHP OFFICERS AND DROVE HOME. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY. WHEN EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED TO THE AGENT HE STATED THAT HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING, WHICH PROMPTED ME TO RESEARCH "EXPLODING WINDSHIELDS" AND LED ME TO SEVERAL ARTICLES ON THE MATTER. I AM NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT ONLY FIXING MY CAR, BUT ALSO THE PAINT JOB ON THE CAR OF GENTLEMAN WHO WAS PASSING ME ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT OCCURRED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE AS THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF ANY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATING. THE DEALER ALAN BYERS (1230 W GENESEE ST, SYRACUSE, NY 13204) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V255000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL COULD NOT BE FOUND IN THEIR SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER WAS: R227. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED A YEAR AGO, AND WAS CORRECTED BY AAA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Read 14 more owner reports
I WAS PROMPTED TO ADD AIR TO MY FRONT TIRE DUE TO THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMING ON. AFTER I ADDED AIR I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE TIRE VALVE CAP BACK ON THE WHEEL AND IT BEGAN FORCEFULLY BLOWING OUT AIR. I ATTEMPTED AGAIN TO SECURE THE CAP AND THE VALVE STEM SENSOR CAME OUT OF THE VALVE STEM COMPLETELY. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK, AND I AM NOW CONCERNED THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. I URGE VOLVO TO HONOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THEIR FAULTY TIRE STEM VALVES IMMEDIATELY
MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH OWN 2010 VOLVOS. MINE IS S40, HIS XC60. WE HAVE BOTH HAD LEAKS RELATING TO FAULTY SUNROOF DRAIN. DEALER REPAIRED AND REPLACED FOR MY HUSBAND AT NO COST, BUT FOUGHT WITH ME - BECAUSE I AM A WOMAN - UNTIL MY HUSBAND CAME WITH ME TO DEALERSHIP. EVEN THOUGH THEY ULTIMATELY FIXED THE SUNROOF DRAIN, THERE IS STILL THE STENCH OF MOLD OR MILDEW IN MY CAR. MY HUSBAND ALSO HAD A LEAK DEVELOP IN HIS WINDSHIELD. DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY COATING ON WINDSHIELDS THIS MODEL YEAR AND THEY REPLACED HIS WINDSHIELD AT NO COST. JUST NOW, I WAS OUT DRIVING, IT STARTED RAINING, AND WATER STARTED POURING IN THROUGH MY WINDSHIELD. (LUCKILY I WAS JUST ARRIVING AT MY DESTINATION, AND I WAS ABLE TO WAIT UNTIL THE RAIN SUBSIDED BEFORE DRIVING HOME, BECAUSE THERE WERE MULTIPLE STEADY STREAMS OF WATER POURING ON TO ME AND THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE RAIN WAS AT ITS PEAK.) APPARENTLY MY WINDSHIELD HAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT MY HUSBAND'S HAD. I KNOW THERE IS ALREADY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BREWING ABOUT THE LEAKY SUNROOF DRAIN, AND I SEE THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ONLINE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS. I ALSO SEE THAT THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE ONLINE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE WINDSHIELD LEAK. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. HOW CAN VOLVO KNOWINGLY LET BUYERS OF ITS CARS DRIVE AROUND KNOWING THAT THEY ARE IN DANGER OF HAVING RAIN POUR IN ON THEM AS THEY ARE DRIVING? OR THAT THE INTERIORS OF THEIR CARS WILL BE SOAKED AND POLLUTED WITH MOLD AND MILDEW? IS NHTSA GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS????
THE SEATBELT BUCKLES STICK WHEN TRYING TO EJECT. THE BUCKLE CLASPS HAVE TO BE PUSHED DOWN AND WIGGLED A FEW TIMES TO UNCLASP. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE CAR QUICKLY. THIS IS ALL BELTS IN THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITHIN 1 YEAR OF EACH OTHER. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN OVER ROUGH TERRAIN OR POT HOLES.
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.
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
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 .
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 ANYTHING FROM WHAT SHE HAD TO GO THROUGH. THE CARS WARNING SYSTEM DID NOT WORK, THERE WAS SEVERE FAILURE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. A 4 YR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED THIS WAY. 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 . *TR
NEW 2009 VOLVO S40 SEDAN BRAKE FIRE 1. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN 3 MILES FROM A HIGH SCHOOL PARKING LOT TO THE OWNER'S HOME. 2. THERE WAS A FIRE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PAD AND THE ROTOR IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. 3. THE ROTOR, BRAKE CALIPER AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. *TR
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Volvo S40. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 115,314. The contact stated that at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 350,000 on VIN History USA.
Showing 20 of 306 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Volvo S40
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Volvo S40, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Volvo S40 has 306 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Volvo S40 has 26 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 22 of the Volvo S40's 306 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Volvo S40 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Volvo S40 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Volvo S40 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Volvo S40 by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Volvo S40.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Volvo S40 reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Volvo S40 reliable?
Poor. The Volvo S40 has 306 NHTSA owner complaints and 26 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Volvo S40 years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2005 (81 complaints), 2006 (59 complaints), 2004 (50 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Volvo S40 problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (78 complaints); SERVICE BRAKES (40 complaints); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (31 complaints).
Does the Volvo S40 have recalls?
Yes — 26 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Volvo S40. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.