← New search

2003 Volvo S40

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all S40 years →

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 9 of 18 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Suspension complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
120,000 miles · Dec 7, 2018
Suspension

THE REAR STRUT/SHOCKS CONTINUE TO BREAK/CRACK OVER AND OVER. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 NEW STRUTS AND SHOCKS AND THEY CONTINUE TO BREAK. I ALSO HAVE GONE TO THE JUNKYARD AND ALL OF THE S40 AND V40'S HAVE ALL OF THEIR STRUTS/SHOCKS BROKEN. I'VE WITNESSED OVER 6 S40 OR V40'S LIKE THIS NOW. MY CAR HAS FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THIS …

Read full complaint

THE REAR STRUT/SHOCKS CONTINUE TO BREAK/CRACK OVER AND OVER. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 NEW STRUTS AND SHOCKS AND THEY CONTINUE TO BREAK. I ALSO HAVE GONE TO THE JUNKYARD AND ALL OF THE S40 AND V40'S HAVE ALL OF THEIR STRUTS/SHOCKS BROKEN. I'VE WITNESSED OVER 6 S40 OR V40'S LIKE THIS NOW. MY CAR HAS FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THIS AND IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. IT SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE ON EVERY S40 AND V40 FROM THE YEARS 2001-2004. IT'S ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT THESE STRUTS/SHOCKS CONTINUE TO BREAK. THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11156873

Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2004
Suspension

THE FOLLOWING IS A SYNOPSIS OF ORIGINAL E-MAIL I SENT TO VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA FOR YOUR RECORDS. *AK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I FINALLY HAD MY 2003 VOLVO S40 SERVICED FOR EXCESSIVE BUMPY RIDE PROBLEM THAT IVE COMPLAINED ABOUT SINCE THE TIME I BO…

Read full complaint

THE FOLLOWING IS A SYNOPSIS OF ORIGINAL E-MAIL I SENT TO VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA FOR YOUR RECORDS. *AK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I FINALLY HAD MY 2003 VOLVO S40 SERVICED FOR EXCESSIVE BUMPY RIDE PROBLEM THAT IVE COMPLAINED ABOUT SINCE THE TIME I BOUGHT IT FROM HOWARD ORLOFF IN MAY 2003. IM APPALLED TO LEARN THAT FOLKS AT HOWARD ORLOFF LEFT THE SPRING SPACERS IN PLACE ALONG THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN THEY SOLD ME THE CAR; AND AFTER SEVERAL COMPLAINS (OF WHICH YOU FOLKS HAVE ALL THE RECORDS OF MY E-MAIL COMMUNICATIONS) AND TEN MONTHS, VOLVO OF LISLE FINALLY FIGURED THE ISSUE OUT. I DONT KNOW WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED TO MY CAR FOR ALL THESE MANY MONTHS. AS OF WRITING THIS MESSAGE, MY CAR IS DANGEROUS AND PRECARIOUS MORE THAN EVER. AFTER ALMOST LITTLE OVER A WEEK OF DRIVING SINCE I GOT MY CAR BACK, THE CARS RIDE IS WORST THAN EVER; THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME EXTREMELY SENSITIVE AND DOES NOT AFFORD CONTROL OF THE CAR; QUITE OFTEN DASHBOARD ICONS FLASH AS I HIT EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BUMP ON THE ROAD; THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL SEEMS TO GET AIRBORNE WHILE THE LEFT FRONT END STAYS DIPPED INTO THE PAVEMENT. BEFORE VOLVO OF LISLE ADDRESSED THE SPRING SPACER PROBLEM, THE CD-PLAYER KEPT SKIPPING THE TRACK INCLUDING THE TUNER MODE CHANGED FROM CD TO TAPE OR AM/FM MODE 3 OR 4 TIMES SOLELY DUE TO THE CAR HITTING A BUMP WHILE DRIVING. AT THIS RATE, IM AFRAID IT IS GOING TO CAUSE MORE DAMAGE TO TIRES, WHEEL RIMS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND OTHER INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR COMPONENTS OF MY CAR. IM DEFINITELY CONCERNED AND EVEN SCARED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND MYSELF ALONG WITH OTHERS ON THE ROAD WHEN DRIVING THIS CAR. IN LIGHT OF THE SAME RECURRING PROBLEM, VOLVO SHOULD REPLACE MY CAR WITH A NEW ONE AT NO EXTRA COST TO ME. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU BY MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2004 OR SOONER.

NHTSA ODI #10065869

Official recalls

2

03V424000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Oct 24, 2003

ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS, THERE MAY BE A FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL DUE TO INADEQUATE WELDING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A V-CLAMP TO THE FUEL RAIL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

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.