2002 Volvo S40 Problems
Used VOLVO S40 shoppers should review this model-year complaint and recall record before making an offer. Based on 30 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Brake System the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2002 Volvo S40 has 30 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Brake System.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2002 Volvo S40 Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA official fuel economy rating for the 2002 Volvo S40.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions.
2002 Volvo S40 Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2002 Volvo S40 has 30 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign on record. The most frequently reported component is Brake System. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Volvo
- Model
- S40
- Model year
- 2002
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 30
- Crash-related complaints
- 4
- Safety recall campaigns
- 1
- Top reported component
- Brake System
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 22
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 19 / 27
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- Optional
Common problems
Most common 2002 Volvo S40 problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Brake System
Hydraulic
Electrical Faults
Complaint patterns center on Brake System, Hydraulic, Electrical Faults. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2002 Volvo S40?
This VOLVO S40 year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection.
Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs.
May Suit
This year may suit buyers who prioritize complete maintenance records and pass a pre-purchase inspection.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers who want a lower-risk ownership profile may prefer comparing nearby model years before committing.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2002 Volvo S40
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the most frequently reported complaint components on this model year
- Confirm recall repairs were completed and documented
- Check for accident damage, title brands, and mileage inconsistencies on the exact VIN
Before You Close the Deal
- 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
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2002 Volvo S40, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
The VOLVO S40 has 30 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. 4 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Recall context: 1 recall campaign are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase.
- 30 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 1 federal recall campaign
- 4 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
Full breakdown
All 2002 Volvo S40 complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Volvo S40. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake System | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Volvo S40. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT GETTING HER VEHICLE INCLUDED IN AN OPEN RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DELAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE OBSERVED A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND SHE W…
I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD AND MY BRAKES FAILED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A BRAKE LINE CORRODED THROUGH. IT APPEARS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A SINGLE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. I ASKED A VOLVO DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS, AND THEY CONFIRMED TO ME THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER IS A SINGLE O…
WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND THE FRONT COIL SPRING DAMAGED THE TIRE. DEALER STOCKS THESE EXPENSIVE SPRINGS (BOTH FRONT AND REAR) IN LARGER THAN NORMAL AMOUNTS DUE TO INCIDENCES OF BREAKAGE. I FEEL THAT THIS WAS AN EARLY FAILURE FOR THIS TYP…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHILE REVERSING AND THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. …
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S40. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER SLOWED DOWN CAUSING A CRASH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTAC…
FRONT END SUSPENSION ISN'T RIGHT,PULLS WHEN DRIVING AND THERE IS A KNOCKING ITEMS NHTSA 10016415 AND 630879. CHECK ENGINE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON 10003441. THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING 10003398. THERE WAS NEVER AN ACCIDENT THESE ARE JUST ONGOING THINGS AND THE SUSPENSION MA…
BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE, VEHICLE HAD LESS THEN 40K MILES. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S40. THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN IT WAS STARTED BY THE CONTACT. THE WINTER WEATHER DRIVING WARNING INDICATOR ARROW AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE …
TYPES OF RECURRING ISSUES WITH VOLVO S40: HEADLIGHTS, DRIVER FRONT WINDOW MOTOR, EARLY BRAKE PAD WEAR. HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED 2-3 TIMES A YEAR AT CONSUMER'S COST. WHEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF VOLVO DEALER THEY REPORTED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO LIGHTS BEING USED DU…
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE 2002 VOLVO S40 HE TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND A THICK BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL AND FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND EXITED THE V…
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINEWAS IDLING HIGH. VOLVO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. THE RPM SURGE OCCURRED FREQUENTLY WHEN THE CONTACTWAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON PERIODICALLY. THERE …
I BOUGHT A 2002 VOLVO S40 FROM AN INDIVIDUAL IN JANUARY OF 2004. IN A MATTER OF 3 MONTHS IN 2005, I HAD TO REPLACE MY PASSENGER HEADLIGHT 3 DIFFERENT TIMES AND MY DRIVER HEADLIGHT 2 DIFFERENT TIMES. I CALLED THE VOLVO DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT A BULB SHOULD LAST AROUND 2 YEARS.…
I PURCHASED A 2002 VOLVO S40 WHICH FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN JUNE 2002. IT WAS MY FIRST NEW CAR. ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF AGO, WITHOUT A WARNING LIGHT -COMING ON TO ALERT ME OF AN IMPENDING PROBLEM, THE CAR BEGAN EMITTING HEAVY BLACK SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CAR HAD GONE THR…
CRACK IN UPPER TANK OF SENDING UNIT RESULTING IN GAS LEAKAGE. 15 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER MAY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE TOXIC FUMES. *NM
IT HAS BEEN 4 TIMES ALREADY (SINCE AUGUST 2002) THAT MY CAR'S ENGINE HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING. IN ALL INSTANCES THE ENGINE STARTS BACK UP AGAIN. I NOTICE RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE I LOOSE THE POWER STEERING. FIRST TIME [AUGUST 2, 2002]: THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR (BRAND NEW) I…
IN SEPTEMBER OF 2004, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH MY VOLVO S40 SEDAN. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS OPERATING IT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEN CONTACTED THE VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT WHEN THE VE…
VEHICLE BEING REPORTED IS A 2002 VOLVO S40 SEDAN. TRAVELING ON US ROUTE 13 SOUTH OF DOVER, DE. AND SLOWED DOWN FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN MEDIUM TRAFFIC FROM A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING DURING DECELERATION. VEHICLE RESTARTED WITH SOME EFFORT. A…
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR YESTERDAY AUGUST 4TH, 2005 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT WORK. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND HAD TO COAST THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. VERY SCARY WITH A 1 MONTH OLD INFANT IN MY BACK SEAT AND A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION. I…
VOLVO S40 2002 HEADLIGHTS BURNED OUT, REPLACED 4-5 TIMES. *BF THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS TO BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SINCE THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE BEING USED AS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. *JB
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A HEADLIGHT 3 TIMES AND A TAILLIGHT 2 TIMES, A CONSOLE LIGHT, AND THE FUSE TO MY CIGARETTE LIGHTER IN MY 2002 VOLVO S40; 5 OF THESE THINGS IN THE LAST SIX WEEKS. THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP SAYS VOLVOS NOW ( THEY DIDN'T SPECIFY ANY PARTICULAR YEAR OF VOLVOS) ARE B…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Volvo S40.
Safety recalls
2002 Volvo S40 recalls
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Volvo S40. 1 recall campaign are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2002 Volvo S40 buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2002 Volvo S40 reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 30 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign for this model year. This VOLVO S40 year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Volvo S40?▾
#1: Brake System (7 complaints). #2: Hydraulic (6 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (5 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Volvo S40?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Volvo S40?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2002 Volvo S40, NHTSA complaints include 4 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 30 total complaints. 2 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Volvo S40 have any recalls?▾
Yes. 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2002 Volvo S40. A major recall area is EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. 1 recall campaign are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2002 Volvo S40?▾
This VOLVO S40 year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs. Pay extra attention to Brake System during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpectorAI.
Wider context: See the full Volvo S40 reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2002 Volvo S40 based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.