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2004 Volvo S40

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Volvo S40 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 26.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

35 reports with mileage · 13 unknown

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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

48 reports
100,625 miles · Feb 4, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PEM WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,625.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PEM WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,625. UPDATED 04/07/15*LJ UPDATED 11/3/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI #10681175

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2014
Engine

I JUST BROUGHT THE CAR FROM JCL AUTO SALES IN ALLENTOWN PA AT THE END OF AUGUST AND MY CHECK ENGINE CONTINUES TO COME ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652766

163,000 miles · Oct 3, 2014
Service Brakes

FOR THE PAST TWO MORNINGS MY CAR HAS NO BRAKES WHEN I FIRST START MY CAR, ONCE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR A FEW MINUTES IT'S OKAY, BUT FIRST THING THE PAST TWO MORNINGS I HAVEN'T HAD BRAKES! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641123

118,600 miles · Jun 11, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY INDICATORS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V033000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). A DIAGNOSTIC TEST INDICATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,600. ..UPDATED 08/11/14 *BF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. UPDATED 08/21/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10597709

95,000 miles · Nov 19, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE OCCUPANT WEIGHT SENSOR MAY HAVE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED HIM A 10 PERCENT C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE OCCUPANT WEIGHT SENSOR MAY HAVE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED HIM A 10 PERCENT COUPON. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10485192

81,356 miles · Apr 20, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

FIRST OCCURRENCE ABOUT 87000 MILES WAS TRAVELING ON FREEWAY WHEN CAR STALLED. STARTED IT BACK UP AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED NEW SPARK PLUG AND WIRES. STALLED AGAIN AT ABOUT 89000 MILES AND WAS TOLD TO BRING BACK WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAI…

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FIRST OCCURRENCE ABOUT 87000 MILES WAS TRAVELING ON FREEWAY WHEN CAR STALLED. STARTED IT BACK UP AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED NEW SPARK PLUG AND WIRES. STALLED AGAIN AT ABOUT 89000 MILES AND WAS TOLD TO BRING BACK WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND TOOK VEHICLE IN ON SATURDAY BUT STORE WAS REMODELING AND COULDN'T GET ME IN. TOOK CAR IN FOR 90000 MILE SERVICE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. WAS TOLD THAT SPARK PLUGS WERE INSTALLED. I INFORMED THEM I HAD SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES INSTALLED THE LAST SERVICE AND THAT THIS STALLING OF MY VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS. WAS TOLD THAT AFTER THE SPARK PLUGS WERE INSTALLED IT CLEARED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BRING THE CAR IN AGAIN WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN OF NO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE. LOOKED ONLINE FOR PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND IT POINTS TO RECALL #08V033000. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455940

89,000 miles · Mar 14, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BUT THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BUT THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ODI #10451589

89,000 miles · Mar 13, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. WHILE THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER, AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. WHILE THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED. ONE YEAR LATER, AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE AIR BAG WAS REPLACED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ODI #10451421

6,000 miles · Feb 22, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE BRAKING ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE BRAKING ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V493000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

NHTSA ODI #10448990

97,000 miles · Sep 12, 2011
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THE FLOOR BEHIND THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WAS SOAKING WET. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRAINAGE ON THE SUNROOF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THE FLOOR BEHIND THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WAS SOAKING WET. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HIM THAT THE WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRAINAGE ON THE SUNROOF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10424717

Official recalls

6

10V566000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

Nov 8, 2010

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.

08V033000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jan 28, 2008

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, REOCCURRING, LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS SALTY-WET CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE (PEM) TO BECOME CORRODED INTERNALLY. THIS CAN CAUSE A FAULTY SIGNAL TO THE FUEL PUMP, RESULTING IN LOW OR NO FUEL PRESSURE TO THE ENGINE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE. IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO START OR MAY STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PEM AND INSTALL IT IN A NEW LOCATION TO PREVENT CORROSION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

06V137000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Apr 24, 2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH T5 TURBO ENGINES, THE POLYAMIDE TUBE IN THE FUEL LINE IS SENSITIVE TO THE EXTREME TEMPERATURES THAT MAY OCCUR IN THE AREA WHERE THE TURBO/EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS LOCATED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS MAY POTENTIALLY RESULT IN FUEL LINE LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE FUEL LINE MATERIAL TO TEFLON FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

04V493000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Oct 14, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NON-RETURN VALVE MAY CRACK DUE TO A POOR WELD CAUSING A VACUUM LEAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, MORE BRAKE PEDAL FORCE MAY BE REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND/OR MAY EXPERIENCE A ROUGH ENGINE IDLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE VACUUM HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

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.