NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
27 reports130,000 miles · Dec 21, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System
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 WAS CONCERNED OF A FUEL LEAK. IN ADDITION, THE CHEC…
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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 WAS CONCERNED OF A FUEL LEAK. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED BEFORE AND AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SPECIFICALLY INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V033000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V137000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH 128 VOLVO CARS (614 NORTH AVE, WAKEFIELD, MA). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #11055898
145,000 miles · Nov 3, 2013
Service Brakes
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 ONE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IN THE 80'S, ALL …
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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 ONE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IN THE 80'S, ALL VEHICLES SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES WERE TO HAVE A DUAL MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. *LN
NHTSA ODI #10550701
114,800 miles · Jan 3, 2013
Suspension
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 TYPE AND AGE OF VEHICLE AND SHOULD IT HAVE BEEN A A H…
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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 TYPE AND AGE OF VEHICLE AND SHOULD IT HAVE BEEN A A HIGHER SPEED THE INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490922
150,000 miles · Sep 7, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
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. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAIL…
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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. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED A SECOND TIME WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V493000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL A DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING THE RECALL BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 10/04/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ON HIS VEHICLE. WHEN HE BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD SINK TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. INITIALLY, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER, WHICH WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE REPLACEMENT, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS THEN INFORMED, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A RECALL. HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. UPDATED 10/05/11
NHTSA ODI #10424125
104,000 miles · Jan 7, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
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 CONTACTS VEHICLE HAD FRONT END DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS …
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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 CONTACTS VEHICLE HAD FRONT END DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED ALL OF THE LEFT FRONT LIGHTS, THE HOOD, THE BUMPER AND THE FENDER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,900.
NHTSA ODI #10375160
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2009
Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension
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 MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS HARD…
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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 MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS HARD TO GET PASSED FOR INSPECTION IN NC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276396
40,000 miles · Dec 8, 2007
Suspension
BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE, VEHICLE HAD LESS THEN 40K MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10211212
42,000 miles · Jun 27, 2007
Power Train
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 ON AN OFF. ON JUNE 23, 2007, THE DEALER ADVISED T…
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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 ON AN OFF. ON JUNE 23, 2007, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND THE ORIGINAL BATTERY WAS WEAK. THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $1,000, WHICH DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE FAILURE WILL NOT RECUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #10194749
2,000 miles · May 22, 2007
Exterior LightingService Brakes, HydraulicVisibility
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 DURING DAYLIGHT. THEY CHECK ELECTRICAL AND REPORTED…
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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 DURING DAYLIGHT. THEY CHECK ELECTRICAL AND REPORTED NO ISSUE. HAD BRAKE PAD AND ROTOR ISSUED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. VOLVO DEALER REPORTED VOLVO ROTORS WERE BUILT THIN AND SOFT. COST OF BRAKE REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS IT WAS CONSIDERED REGULAR WEAR. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. FIRST REGULATOR WAS REPLACED IN JUNE 2005, THEN FEBRUARY 2006 AND NOW MAY 2007. MAY 2007 REGULATOR WAS AT THE COST OF THE CONSUMER AS WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND WARRANTY ON PART ONLY LASTS 12 MONTHS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS AN APPARENT PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10191517
30,000 miles · Feb 15, 2007
Electrical System
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 VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A VOLVO DEALER A…
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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 VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A VOLVO DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE SMOKE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 30,000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10182634