103 of the 677 complaints filed about the Volvo S40 are about the electrical system — 15% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.
103
Complaints
15%
Share of all complaints
4
Crashes
4
Fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11699264 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact's wife owns a 2005 Volvo S40. The contact stated the vehicle was difficult to start for several days. Eventually, the failure progressed and the vehicle was not able to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was repaired by the contact, a previous Volvo technician. The contact stated the failure was due to the pump electrical module being located out of the vehicle. The contact spoke with the dealer. The contact referenced The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #11578530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
After buying the vehicle on 7/9/21, the car started having problems with the cooling system. I took it to a repair shop and they said the cooling system was overfilled. The air problem continued. I took it back to the dealership who said they fixed it but it continued. I contacted the prior Manufactuer service center who informed me the computer chip was recommended to be replaced when the dealer had it serviced but they declined, causing all the electrical and cooling issues. I called the dealer and they said they had the alarm disconnected also which was why the computer system wasn't working. The alarm system doesn't work and I have had to replace the key fob 3 times. I took it to another repair shop who diagnosed the following as permanent failure codes: 6 CEM codes, 1 ECM code, 6 SRS codes, 2 DIM codes, 11 CEM-HS codes, passenger and driver door codes, 4 climate control codes, 1EPS code, 4 SWM codes, DD11, all of which are safety hazards.
NHTSA complaint #11428519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAVING A COOLANT LEAKAGE, CRASH MODE AND SAFETY ALARM SYSTEM CHECK KEEPS COMING ON...WHEN CRASH MODE COMES ON...CAR JUST SHUTS OFF.
NHTSA complaint #11373691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON OR ABOUT 12/04/2019 DURING A FLASH RAIN STORM LAST WINTER, MY HUSBAND AND I WAS HEADED HOME ON THE 215 FWY NORTHBOUND IN SAN BERNARDINO, CA WHEN THE CENTER DOME AREA AND THE ELECTRIC SUNROOF INSIDE OUR CAR BEGIN POURING IN HUGE AMOUNTS OF VERY COLD RAIN WATER ON US AND ON THE DASHBOARD, STEREO CONSOLE, GEAR SHIFTER, FLOOR AND SEATS. UNTIL IT WAS SAFE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY, MY HUSBAND TRIED TO SOAK UP AS MUCH OF THE LEAKING RAINWATER AS HE COULD WITH HIS COAT BUT THE WATER CONTINUED TO POURING INTO THE CAR. ONCE IT WAS SAFE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY, WE PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND EXAMINE THE SUNROOF TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SHUT PROPERLY, WHICH IT WAS, NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING, HE AND I USED AS MANY PIECES OF NAPKINS AND CLOTH THAT WE COULD FIND TO SOP UP AS MUCH WATER AS WE COULD AND AS BEST AS WE COULD. WE DROVE ON THE STREETS THE REMAINING FEW MILES TO GET HOME BECAUSE IT WAS MUCH SAFER TO DO SO AT THIS POINT. LATER, WE RESEARCHED AS MUCH AS WE COULD FIND OUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM VIA ONLINE COMPLAINTS AND REVIEWS FROM OTHER VOLVO OWNERS. WE THEN TRIED ONE OF THE FIXES OFFERED: CLEARING POTENTIAL DEBRIS FROM THE SUNROOF DRAIN HOSES. HOWEVER, WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR TO A DRIVE-THRU CARWASH SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPEN. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SELLING THE VOLVO, BUT DUE TO THE LEAKY CENTER DOME AND SUNROOF, THERE IS NO WAY WE WILL CONSIDER SELLING THE CAR WITHOUT DISCLOSING THIS SAFETY ISSUE TO THE NEXT BUYER, EVEN THOUGH WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2013, THE DEALER WHO SOLD IT TO US DID NOT TELL US ABOUT THE SAFETY DEFECT. UNDOUBTEDLY, IF CAUGHT OFF GUARD WHILE DRIVING (I.E. WITHOUT A PASSENGER'S HELPING HAND), NOT KNOWING ABOUT THE DEFECT MAY RESULT IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR FATALITY. PLEASE HELP!!!
NHTSA complaint #11360366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ME AN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR AN IT STARTED TO RUN HOT SO WE WENT AN GOT THE PART TO GO ON THE CAR AN WHEN WHEN WE GOT BACK TO MY FATHER IN LAW HOUSE THE CAR CUT OFF AN STARTED TO SMOKE REAL BAD THEN WENT INTO FLAMES AN WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE CAR WE GOT EVERYTHING FIX ON IT AN THEN WHEN YOU PLUG THE MONTIOR TO THE THE CAR IT SAID WE HAD TEN CODES UP THERE AN THEY WAS THE SAME CODES THAT WAS ON THE CAR AN WE KNOW WE HAD GOT EVERYTHING FIX ON THE CAR AN WE WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR NO WE OUT OF A CAR CAUSE IT WENT INTO FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #11339721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF RAIN, WATER POOLED ON REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOOR. WINDOWS WOULD NOT FUNCTION, DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT FUNCTION, TURN SIGNALS DIDN'T WORK. INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHED WARNINGS OF ENGINE PROBLEMS, BRAKE FAILURE, AIRBAG PROBLEMS. OFTEN LOST ENTIRE PANEL WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON HIGHWAY, MEASUREMENTS GOING DEAD. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS AND IS GETTING WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #11323976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN PAST POSITION 2 ALLOWING FOR ENGINE STARTING. THE VEHICLE WITH STATIONARY IN PARK.
NHTSA complaint #11218386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11156046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER PARKING CAR AND TURNING CAR OFF, AIRBAG, BRAKE, AND INFORMATION WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON, AS DOES VENTILATION SYSTEM. PASSENGER SEAT HAS EXCESS WATER UNDERNEATH. NOW CAR WILL NOT START.
NHTSA complaint #11098954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE KEY DOES NOT TURN ALL THE WAY TO TURN THE IGNITION - IT'S LOCKED AFTER TURNING I AND II (NOT TO III). I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN AN UNSAFE AREA. I CALLED VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT I WAS TOLD IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE. I WENT TO YOUTUBE AS TO HOW I COULD FIX IT AND FOUND OUT QUITE A FEE S40 OWNERS HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE COST TO FIX THIS WOULD RUN ABOUT $1000. I FOUND A WAY TO GET AROUND MAKING IT WORK BY REMOVING THE STEERING COVER, PULL THE IGNITION SWITCH WITH A SCREW DRIVER. WITHOUT THE KEY ON THE IGNITION, IT STILL POSES A SAFETY ISSUES BECAUSE WHAT IF THE STEERING LOCKS WHILE I AM DRIVING? ANOTHER ISSUE IS THE SUSPENSION: THE CAR FEEL AS IF IT'S FALLING APART. TWICE WE SPENT OVER A THOUSAND FOR EACH OCCURRENCE. I'M QUITE CERTAIN THERE HAVE A FEW COMPLAINTS ON SIMILAR ISSUES. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH IF YOU COULD KEEP ME IN THE LOOP IF ISSUES COME UP ON THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR WE STILL OWN AND KEEP ON DRIVING. I ALMOST FORGOT, ONE OF THE HEAD LIGHTS DOES NOT AND EVEN SIMPLE REPLACING WITH ONE AFTER A BULB, STILL DOES NOT WORK. I GUESS IT NEEDS A TRIP TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO FIGURE IT OUT. AFTER ALL, SUDDEN HEADLIGHT FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR CONSIDERING TO TAKE MY ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #11084482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PRIOR TO LATEST INCIDENT, THE CAR HAD OCCASIONALLY GONE INTO "LIMP" MODE, STICKING IN 3RD GEAR BUT DRIVABLE. THAT PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY AFTER A DAY OR SO. LOCAL SHOP COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING DEFINITIVE. BIGGER PROBLEM WAS YESTERDAY EVENING'S LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL AND MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IDLE THROTTLE SETTING (EG STOPPED AT LIGHTS) BECAME UNSTABLE, OCCASIONALLY REVVING UPTO TO ~2000RPM. MOMENTS LATER ON SUBURBAN DIVIDED MAIN STREET, THROTTLE STUCK AT ~2200RPM WHICH MEANT I WAS DOING 45MPH (STRAIGHT LINE) WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL. SLOWED ON THE BRAKES UNTIL I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AT WHICH TIME EVERYTHING DIED (ELECTRICAL) AND CAME TO A STOP, SHORT OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS. TIME OF INCIDENT APPROX 8PM EST (DARK), ROADWAY FULLY LIT THANKFULLY. CAR WAS PUSHED OFF STREET. SOME ELECTRICS CAME BACK ON WHEN TRIED BUT FULL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS (IE EVERYTHING) ACROSS ENTIRE DASH. TOWED HOME. REMOVED IGNITION KEY (WAS INSERTED TO ENSURE STEERING WAS UNLOCKED) BUT RADIATOR COOLING FAN REMAINED ON (ENGINE HADN'T RUN FOR 2.5 HOURS BY THAT TIME). PULLED A FUSE UNDER THE HOOD TO STOP IT DUMPING THE BATTERY. CAR IS NO YOUNGSTER, MANUF 2003 IN NETHERLANDS, PURCHASED SECOND HAND IN 2005 WITH APPROX 20,000 MILES ON THE CLOCK. CURRENTLY AT 108,000 ISH. OTHER ISSUES WITH CAR (NOT SAFETY RELATED) MEANS I WONT BE HAVING IT FIXED GIVEN ITS AGE AND GENERAL COSMETIC CONDITION. IT WILL BE DONATED FOR SCRAP.
NHTSA complaint #11066109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE (PEM) FAILS DURING WET CONDITIONS. CAR WILL CRANK LIKE NORMAL BUT WILL NOT START. LET CAR DRY OUT FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN THE CAR WILL RUN NORMAL AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10985089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE AIR PUMP HAS A FAULTY SWITCH, STARTED RINGING WHEN I TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE MECHANIC SAYS THE SWITCH ISN'T SHUTTING OFF CORRECTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10958042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO TURN AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING. THE BATTERY WAS TESTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10954466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH WHEN INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT COMPLETELY BLANK I HEARD A SIZZLING NOISE BEHIND THE DASH BOARD. I LOST THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE, LIGHT INDICATOR, BLINKER INDICATORS, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENTS YOU DEPEND ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF, IT CONTINUED SIZZLING SOUNDING LIKE IT WAS BURNING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I STARTED THE CAR AND NOTHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WORKS, I TURNED ON THE FLASHER AND LIMPED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, AS AN ELDERLY FEMALE THIS WAS VERY NERVE RACKING AS I DID NOT KNOW IF MY FLASHERS WERE WORKING NOR WHAT SPEED I WAS TRAVELING. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS SOMETHING CALLED THE DIM HAD WENT BAD AND THAT ONLY A VOLVO DEALER COULD REPLACE WHICH WILL COST OVER $1800. HE SAID I SHOULD FEEL LUCKY THAT THE CAR HAD NOT CAUGHT FIRE AS THAT WAS USUALLY WHAT HAPPENED IN THESE SITUATIONS AND VOLVO HAD IGNORED THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS SO THEY WOULD NOT HAVE TO SPEND MONEY ON A RECALL. THIS PART IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM IT IS FAULTY FROM THE MANUFACTURER YET THEY CONTINUE TO CHARGE PEOPLE OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNTS TO REPLACE THEM. I NOW HAVE TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR AS I CANT EVEN TELL IF I HAVE A WORKING BLINKER OVER 40 MILES TO THE NEAREST VOLVO DEALER, I AM NOT SURE WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER THAT AS I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY (SOCIAL SECURITY) TO FIX SOMETHING THAT VOLVO SHOULD BE REPAIRING FOR FREE. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AS I HAVE RESEARCHED AND SEE THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH VOLVO FOR MANY MAKES AND MODEL YEAR CARS NOT JUST 2011.
NHTSA complaint #10954356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY VEHICLE DOORS LOCK UP AND CAN'T BE UNLOCKED DUE TO FAULTY LOCKS. NO WAY TO GET DOOR OR DOORS TO UNLOCK. WHICH CAN CAUSE DEATH IF INVOLVED IN A ROLL OVER, SUBMERGED, OR ANY MAJOR ACCIDENTS. IT CAN BE ANY DOOR ON THE VEHICLE. ON MINE IT'S MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR WHICH MY CHILD SITS NEXT TOO IN HER CAR SEAT. I'VE READ MANY OTHER VOLVOS HAVE THIS ISSUE AND VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR. VOLVO SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A VOLVO DEALER MECHANIC THAT THESE S40 ARE VERY KNOWN TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. FOR MY EXPERIENCE OF THIS HAPPENING IS JUST DRIVING HOME AND PARKING. TRIED TO GET MY DAUGHTER OUT AND IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE KEY FAUBOURG, THE POWER LOCK SWITCH AND TRIED PULLING ON HANDLE AND NOTHING UNLOCKS THIS DOOR. I READ THAT THE LOCK ACTUATORS ARE THE CAUSE OR ITS THE WIRING HARNESS. I ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM IN THE TRUNK. ONLY THE KID NAPPED CORD WORKS TO GET THE TRUNK TO OPEN. PLEASE GET VOLVO TO FIX ALL THERE ACTUATORS BEFORE KIDS OR ADULTS GET TRAPPED AND KILLED CAUSE OF THEIR NEGLIGENCE
NHTSA complaint #10903603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I'VE CONTACTED VOLVO AND DEMANDED MY MONEY BACK AND THEY REFUSED, THIS IS MY NEXT STEP BEFORE TAKING THEM TO COURT FOR A MEASILY 2,500. THIS CAR HAS CAUSED ME A HEADACHE UNLIKE ANY OTHER, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS IN THIS CAR AND PASSES THROUGH IT MALFUNCTIONING ONE THING AFTER THE NEXT, MY BACK WINDOW WENT UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS DO WHACKY THINGS WHICH RUINED THE CAR MAKING IT OVERHEAT EVEN AFTER SHOPS REPLACE SENSORS AND RADIATORS, THE MAIN SAFETY CONCERN WHICH VOLVO IS SUPPRESSING IS THAT THE ELECTRICAL GHOST ALSO AFFECTS THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND ACCELERATES, THIS IS A MAIN CONCERN WHEN YOU'RE ON AN EXPRESSWAY ESPECIALLY, IT ACCELERATES AND YOU CANNOT HOLD THE BRAKE DOWN HARD ENOUGH TO SLOW DOWN, AND IT'LL DO IT AT RANDOM, AND I KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR VOLVO BECAUSE I HAVE A 1990 WHEN IT WAS VOLVO AND NOT BOUGHT MY AN AMERICAN COMPANY AND THAT CAR IS PERFECT, AND A COP TALKED TO ME FOR ABOUT AN HOUR JUST BEFORE THESE BIGGER ISSUES STARTED HAPPENING, HE'D OWNED A DEALERSHIP AND SAID THIS YEAR VOLVO HAS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, AND AT THAT TIME I KNEW HE WAS ONTO SOMETHING BECAUSE THE AIR AND HEAT BUTTONS WERE DOING ALL KINDS OF STRANGE THINGS, I WAS EVEN IN AN ACCIDENT ONCE, A LITTLE FENDER BENDER THANKFULLY JUST ON A SIDE STREET, MY CAR WOULDN'T SLOW DOWN AND IT SKIDDED ALL T HE WAY TO THE LIGHT AND I DENTED SOMEONE'S BUMPER, THEY LET ME SLIDE BECAUSE THEIR CAR WAS A JALOPY, BUT I'VE HAD THIS SAME ELECTRICAL FAILURE HAPPENING ON EXPRESSWAYS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS
NHTSA complaint #10893841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.