Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2010 Volvo S40 with NHTSA between 2015 and 2025.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 11 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 9
Against the median year of the Volvo S40. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 94
18.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2010 Volvo S40
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
218.2%
Body & Structure
218.2%
Median failure at 70,050 miles
Airbags
218.2%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Other & Unspecified
19.1%
Seat Belts
19.1%
Wheels
19.1%
Median failure at 78,000 miles
Electrical System
19.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
19.1%
Median failure at 74,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
125.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
125.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
125.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
125.0%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2010 Volvo S40 4-DR. w/SAB
—
—
—
11.1% risk
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2015peak 2Jun 2025
Recalls on the 2010 Volvo S40
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20104231,319 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles equipped with power front passenger seats, the "end stops" on the seat frame rails may be missing. If the end stops are missing, the maximum allowable seat travel may be exceeded, resulting in an increased injury risk for out of position occupants in the event of a frontal collision. Correction: Dealers will inspect the front seat rails for the presence of an "end stop", and install one if necessary.
Recall 201039687 units in Canada
Accessories
On certain vehicles, there is a possibility of overheating issues of batteries in the Garmin nüvi® 760 when certain batteries manufactured within a limited date code range are used in certain Garmin nüvi® 760 models with a specific printed circuit board (PCB) design. The interaction of these factors can, in some circumstances, increase the possibility of overheating, which may lead to a fire. Correction: Dealers will direct customers who have an affected unit to the Garmin Web site, which explains how to verify if their units are involved and includes procedures to follow for product exchange.
Recall 2010193159 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, the gearshift lever stud assembly may not have received adequate tighten torque during vehicle assembly. If the gearshift lever cable or stud assembly becomes loose, it may not be possible to engage, disengage, or shift gears. This could result in a crash causing property damage, personal injury, or death. Correction: Dealers will inspect and torque the gearshift lever stud assembly to the correct specification.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Astoria, NYCrash
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11569920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Astoria, NYCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11569920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
San Leandro, CA
AIR BAGS
Hello. The warning of the device is on the dashboard that the SRS is not functional
NHTSA complaint #11667325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Astoria, NYCrash
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11569920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Astoria, NYCrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11569920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Locust Grove, GA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11469496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cary, NC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11431520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cary, NC
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11431520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,100 milesWillits, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint #11375719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesSyracuse, NY
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #11363255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesNorwalk, CT
WHEELS
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
NHTSA complaint #10925156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesArlington, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY
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????
NHTSA complaint #10891923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Attleboro, MA
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10671532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
