Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
Ask About This Model
Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Volvo S40. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Volvo S40,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 2000–2011 with 29 recall campaigns and 677 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 2004 (6), 2009 (3), and 2006 (3).
Years with the most complaint volume: 2000 (166), 2001 (112), and 2005 (91).
Top recall themes: Brakes, Fuel and emissions, and Equipment and labeling.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, hydraulic.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Brakes
3 campaigns · Years: 2000, 2004, 2007
These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.
Official notices (evidence):
08V101000
· Service brakes, hydraulic: Master cylinder
04V493000
· Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Volvo S40 in NHTSA complaint data are
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, hydraulic.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2011
2
7
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Seats, Vehicle speed control.
2010
2
11
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Structure:body, Visibility/wiper, Air bags.
2009
3
14
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine.
2008
2
27
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine, Steering.
2007
2
36
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling.
2006
3
81
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Structure.
2005
3
91
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline.
2004
6
75
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakes, hydraulic.
2003
2
23
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail, Tires.
2002
1
34
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Exterior lighting:headlights, Air bags:frontal.
2001
2
112
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Electrical system, Service brakes, hydraulic.
2000
1
166
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Service brakes, hydraulic.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Equipment
, Fuel system
and Seats
Show recall evidence by year
2011
Seats:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Structure: Frame and members:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain model year 2011 s40 passenger vehicles. A crack on the top side of the passenger side support member in the engine compartment may have developed during the forming process in component production.
2010
Equipment: Navigational system(global positioning system):
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Seats:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
2009
Steering: Hose, piping, and connections:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Equipment: Navigational system(global positioning system):
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Seats:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
2008
Steering: Hose, piping, and connections:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Equipment: Navigational system(global positioning system):
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
2007
Service brakes, hydraulic: Master cylinder:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling 1,114 my 2007 c30, c70, s40, and v50 passenger vehicles. A soft anodized layer in the master cylinder may trigger early wear on a rubber seal that can result in internal leakage of brake fluid. If affected, the driver may experience reduced brake performance when applying and m
Equipment: Navigational system(global positioning system):
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
2006
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 dis
Equipment: Navigational system(global positioning system):
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
2005
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 dis
Equipment: Navigational system(global positioning system):
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
2004
Equipment: Labels:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain passenger cars fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems." The second isofix guide was not installed in these vehicles and, in certain cases, the owner's manual isofix information is incorrect.
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: On certain sedans and station wagons, there may be a fuel leak from the fuel rail due to inadequate welding.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 dis
Equipment: Navigational system(global positioning system):
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
2003
Equipment: Labels:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain passenger cars fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems." The second isofix guide was not installed in these vehicles and, in certain cases, the owner's manual isofix information is incorrect.
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain passenger cars fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems." The second isofix guide was not installed in these vehicles and, in certain cases, the owner's manual isofix information is incorrect.
2001
Equipment: Air conditioner:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain passenger cars fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems." The second isofix guide was not installed in these vehicles and, in certain cases, the owner's manual isofix information is incorrect.
2000
Service brakes, hydraulic: Vacuum:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
