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
What owners actually said
27 reports
6 miles · Nov 5, 2003
Electrical SystemCrash
THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN HORN BUTTON WAS PRESSED FROM THE LEFT SIDE. THE HORN DID NOT WORK AT TIMES OR EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS NEEDED.*AK CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION IN WHICH HE TRIED TO USE THE HORN BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOT REPAIRED TO WORKI…
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THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN HORN BUTTON WAS PRESSED FROM THE LEFT SIDE. THE HORN DID NOT WORK AT TIMES OR EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS NEEDED.*AK CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION IN WHICH HE TRIED TO USE THE HORN BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOT REPAIRED TO WORKING ORDER. *PH *JB
NHTSA ODI #10042382
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING AT A VERY LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL REALLY HARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10038234
21,000 miles · Aug 5, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE REAR BRAKE PADS ON MY 2002 S40 VOLVO WORE OUT AT ABOUT 21 THOUSAND MILES AND RUINED THE ROTOR. ACCORDING TO VOLVO CORP. THIS IS BECASUE THE GOVERNMENT IS HAS PROHIBITED THEM FROM USING ASBESTOS IN THE BRAKE PADS. VOLVO PUT NOISE MAKING "SQUEALERES" ON THE INSIDE PADS BUT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKES THE OUTSIDE PADS WEAR …
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THE REAR BRAKE PADS ON MY 2002 S40 VOLVO WORE OUT AT ABOUT 21 THOUSAND MILES AND RUINED THE ROTOR. ACCORDING TO VOLVO CORP. THIS IS BECASUE THE GOVERNMENT IS HAS PROHIBITED THEM FROM USING ASBESTOS IN THE BRAKE PADS. VOLVO PUT NOISE MAKING "SQUEALERES" ON THE INSIDE PADS BUT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKES THE OUTSIDE PADS WEAR OUT FIRST CAUSING A RIVIT ON THE PAD TO CONTACT THE ROTOR AND RUIN IT BEFORE THE PADS CAN BE REPLACED. ACCORDING TO THREE VOLVO SERVICE MANAGERS IT IS NORMAL FOR THE PADS TO WEAROUT AT BETWEEN 15 AND 20,000 MILES.I HAVE CONTACTED VOLVO OF AMERICA BY EMAIL ON TWO OCCASIONS TO ADVISE THEM OF THE OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THEIR BRAKES THEY ADVISED ME THEY COULD OFFER ME NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE AND WOULD FILE THE INFORMATION .*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030802
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2003
Unknown Or Other
CONSUMER REQUESTED ALL COMPLAINTS, RECALLS, CONCERNS AND ACCIDENTS LISTED FOR A 2002 VOLVO S40. *DT *JB
NHTSA ODI #10007106
5,000 miles · Jan 13, 2003
Air BagsCrash
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION BUT THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE SYSTEM WORKED PROPERLY. *JB *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10003610
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2002
Visibility
THERE IS A DANGEROUS REFLECTION OF THE TAUPE DASH OFF THE WINDSHIELD OF MY NEW VOLVO, WHICH THE COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE. OTHERS HAVE NOTICED THIS AS WELL: SEE WWW.VOLVOSPY.COM. THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN DAYLIGHT, SO MUCH SO THAT THE GLARE IN DAYLIGHT, PRESENT WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING AND EVEN ON AN OVE…
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THERE IS A DANGEROUS REFLECTION OF THE TAUPE DASH OFF THE WINDSHIELD OF MY NEW VOLVO, WHICH THE COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE. OTHERS HAVE NOTICED THIS AS WELL: SEE WWW.VOLVOSPY.COM. THIS CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN DAYLIGHT, SO MUCH SO THAT THE GLARE IN DAYLIGHT, PRESENT WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING AND EVEN ON AN OVERCAST DAY, PREVENTS ONE FROM AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW. THE COMPANY'S RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINT WAS OUR VEHICLES MEET OR EXCEED ALL UNITED STATES SPECIFICATIONS FOR SAFETY BRFORE THEY ARE RELEASED TO CUSTOMERS IS THERE A SPECIFICATION FOR THE AMOUNT OF GLARE ALLOWED? FURTHER, THEY SAY THAT THEY CAN NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHEN AND THE WAY I DRIVE, BUT WITH ALL DUE RESPECT. I'M SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO DRIVES IN DAYLIGHT HOURS. THE DEALER SUGGESTS THAT I COVER THE DASH WITH A DARK COLORED MATERIAL, WHICH DOES, INDEED, CUT THE GLARE; OTHERS HAVE SUGGESTED WEARING POLARIZED SUNGLASSES, WHICH ALSO WORKS. BUT NEITHER OF THESE SUGGESTIONS IS SATISFACTORY, ESPECIALLY IN A NEW CAR. ARE YOU AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM? AND DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? THIS IS NOT A TRIVIAL PROBLEM. THE GLARE IS ALMOST BLINDING AT TIMES. CHECK IT OUT AND SEE WHAT I MEAN. DT
NHTSA ODI #768696
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANITI-LOCK BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, DO NOT GRAB LIKE THEY SHOULD AND CLICK. CONTACTED DEALER. THIS WAS COMMON PROBLEM.*AK
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.
2002 Volvo S40 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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