FaultScore

Volvo S40 airbag problems

39 of the 677 complaints filed about the Volvo S40 are about the airbag system — 6% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.

39

Complaints

6%

Share of all complaints

18

Crashes

0

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

2000 S40 3 7.7%
2001 S40 8 20.5%

Median failure at 61,744 miles

2002 S40 2 5.1%

Median failure at 5,000 miles

2004 S40 11 28.2%

Median failure at 84,500 miles

2005 S40 5 12.8%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2006 S40 4 10.3%

Median failure at 74,000 miles

2007 S40 2 5.1%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2008 S40 2 5.1%

Median failure at 98,000 miles

2010 S40 2 5.1%

What owners said

2010 Volvo S40 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.

2010 Volvo S40 Astoria, NY Crash

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.

2000 Volvo S40 State College, PA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

This is to describe airbag injuries. My car performed well. If not for the airbag and good construction of this Volvo I would not be here to ask for your help. I am wondering why we still use explosive materials and a device that causes so many injuries. There has to be another device to absorb the force of impact than an explosive device that injures, maim, and can kill people. I want to send images of my injuries which are extensive. Is this what happens each time the airbags ignite? I was close due to my small stature. The bag hit me in the chest and face. Volvo is a safe car. I was traveling at 55mph, a woman stopped her car in the passing lane feet in front of me, everyone was doing 55 mph and more. There was nowhere to go to escape the impact. Frederick, MD Hwy 15 South at 7th Street has many oncoming ramps, there needs to be warning about oncoming and stopped vehicles. The speed limit is 65mph before these fast-moving on-ramps. A flashing light would also help.

NHTSA complaint #11422879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Volvo S40 at 60,000 miles Browns Summit, NC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DETACHED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED LEG, BACK, AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #11141465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo S40 at 140,000 miles Charlotte, NC

AIR BAGS

NO COLLISION. SRS LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE 2007. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED WIRING, AIR BAGS AND NOTHING HELPS. SRS LIGHT COMES ON EVERY 7 TO 12 MONTHS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 11 YEARS.

NHTSA complaint #11100343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Volvo S40 at 80,000 miles Carlsbad, CA

AIR BAGS

[THIS IS A PREVENTATIVE COMPLAINT. NO INJURY SUSTAINED.] THIS CAR HAS A FAILED PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR THAT WHEN DEPRESSED ACTIVATES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS A DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT THAT CLICKS AND THEN CAN BE PULLED OUT OF THE LOCKING HARNESS. THESE ITEMS ARE NOT RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURE BUT, IN MY OPINION, SHOULD BE FOR CUSTOMER SAFETY.

NHTSA complaint #10944096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Volvo S40 Tyler, TX

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE AIRBAGS. I T IS SHOWING ME THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #10887948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Volvo S40 at 194,000 miles NEW Port Richey, FL

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND ENTIRE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AS THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER, RADIO, HORN AND SUN ROOF FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN ACTIVATED. THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM, FRONT AXLES AND STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000.

NHTSA complaint #10861933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Volvo S40 at 73,000 miles Houston, TX Crash

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS LEAKING WATER INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT WATER MAY HAVE STOPPED THE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

NHTSA complaint #10743995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Volvo S40 at 100,000 miles Santa Cruz, CA

AIR BAGS

THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. PLEASE TELL ME WHETHER THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE LOOK UP BY VIN IS NOT WORKING ON YOUR WEBSITE.

NHTSA complaint #10649261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Volvo S40 at 123,000 miles Denton, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 VOLVO S40 STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN I WAS IN MAJOR/SEVERE REAR END COLLISION. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT (70+ MPH) PUSHED ME INTO A VEHICLE AHEAD WHICH CAUSED SEVERE FRONTAL DAMAGE THAT WENT ALL THE WAY PAST MY RADIATOR. PROPERTY DAMAGES OVER $17K AND AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10649024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Volvo S40 at 74,000 miles Pittsfield, MA

AIR BAGS

A DESIGN FLAW CAUSED FLOODING WITHIN THE CABIN OF THIS VEHICLE. THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND OVER TIME LEAKS WATER INTO THE FLOOR PAN OF THE CAR, SOMETIMES ENOUGH WHERE FLOODING OCCURS. MY CAR FLOODED A FEW MONTHS BACK SO BADLY UP TO 10 GALLONS OF WATER WAS VACUUMED OUT. THE FLOODING CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS/CONNECTIONS UNDER THE DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S SEAT. CURRENTLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG IS DEACTIVATED AND IT IS UNSAFE TO SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AS THE AIR BAG COULD MALFUNCTION AT ANY TIME, ALL DUE TO THIS FLOODING AND THE ROOT CAUSE BEING THE FAULTY DRAINAGE SYSTEM THAT RUNS FROM THE SUNROOF THROUGH THE DASH OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT, NO. 2:10-CV-04407-DMC-MF, AGAINST VOLVO FOR THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE, I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE IS LEADING TO MORE AND MORE PROBLEMS OVER TIME, MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY WON'T START AND THERE ARE ONLY $75K MILES ON IT, I BELIEVE WATER DAMAGE IS THE ROOT CAUSE FOR ALL ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL VEHICLES EFFECTED OR COMPENSATION TO KEEP DRIVERS SAFE IN THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10628541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Volvo S40 at 30,000 miles Kittery, ME Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH AND CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10536050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo S40 at 95,000 miles Clifton Park, NY

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE OCCUPANT WEIGHT SENSOR MAY HAVE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED HIM A 10 PERCENT COUPON. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA complaint #10485192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo S40 at 89,000 miles Featerville, PA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BUT THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA complaint #10451589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo S40 at 89,000 miles Feasterville, PA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. WHILE THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER, AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA complaint #10451421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Volvo S40 at 80,000 miles Wirtz, VA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAG WEIGHT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM WITH AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #10432887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Volvo S40 at 114,000 miles Jeffersonville, IN Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETAIN THE DRIVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10402992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Volvo S40 Lemont, IL

AIR BAGS

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

NHTSA complaint #10351829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Volvo S40 Waukesha, WI

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ONE DAY OUT OF THE BLUE, THE WARNING LIGHT SAYING THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT OPERATING APPEARED. FOUND OUT THAT A SENSOR LOCATED WITHIN ANOTHER PART, LOCATED SAFELY UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT, HAD BECOME DEFECTIVE. ALL ON ITS OWN. I HAD A CHOICE. ROLL THE DICE AND MAYBE IN A BAD CRASH THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY...OR SPEND $1,400 TO GET IT REPLACED. ALSO EVEN THOUGH IT SAID ONLY PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS AFFECTED, DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WOULD NOT CONFIRM OR DENY WHETHER THE DRIVER AIRBAG WAS OPERABLE. SO I SHELLED OUT THE CASH ONLY TO FIND THAT TWO PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED - ONE PART HAD TO BE BROKEN TO GET TO THE SENSOR. SO I HAD TO PURCHASE BOTH PARTS. AND THEY SAID THIS IS ONE OF THE SAFEST VEHICLES ON THE ROAD? I LATER FOUND OUT THIS IS COMMON, FILED A COMPLAINT WITH VOLVO, AND THEY SENT ME A "COURTESY" CHECK FOR $200 TO HELP DEFRAY THE COST. I THINK THEY SHOULD RECALL THIS PART AND PAY THE ENTIRE PRICE.

NHTSA complaint #10334166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Volvo S40 problems