SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

2002 Volvo S40

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Volvo S40 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 26.

About this comparison →
27Owner complaints

Model-year median: 26

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
122
200084
200127
200218
200348
200469
2005
Compare all S40 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
6Electrical System
5Engine And Engine Cooling
3Exterior Lighting
3Suspension
3
All reported categories
Air Bags
2Power Train
2Visibility
2Fuel System, Gasoline
1Fuel/propulsion System
1Seat Belts
1Service Brakes
1Unknown Or Other
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 16 of 27 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
130,000 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…

Read full complaint

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

Official recalls

1

03V284000 · Equipment:other:labels

Aug 1, 2003

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.