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2008 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 →
16Owner complaints

Model-year median: 26

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
69
200558
200625
200716
200810
20099
20105
2011
Compare all S40 years →

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

What owners reported most

Electrical System
4Engine
4Steering
4Vehicle Speed Control
3Visibility
3
All reported categories
Air Bags
2Suspension
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Seats
1Tires
1Unknown Or Other
1Wheels
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: 13 of 16 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 4 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 reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2015
SteeringUnknown Or Other

I WAS GETTING IN MY CAR WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START (TURN STEERING WHEEL AND TRY TO START AGAIN). I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER 15 MINUTES, I DECIDED IT WAS TOO HOT WITH MY CHILDREN OUTSIDE SO I WENT INSIDE. I CHECKED AN HOUR LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. MY HUSBAND WAS AB…

Read full complaint

I WAS GETTING IN MY CAR WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START (TURN STEERING WHEEL AND TRY TO START AGAIN). I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER 15 MINUTES, I DECIDED IT WAS TOO HOT WITH MY CHILDREN OUTSIDE SO I WENT INSIDE. I CHECKED AN HOUR LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR HOURS LATER AFTER MOVING THE STEERING COLUMN UP AND DOWN QUICKLY AND HARSHLY. THIS MORNING, I WAS GETTING IN THE CAR WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN, THE CAR WOULD NOT START (TURN STEERING WHEEL AND TRY TO START AGAIN). I MOVED THE STEERING COLUMN AS SUGGESTED BY MY HUSBAND, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. LUCKILY WE WERE HOME AND WERE NOT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER.

NHTSA ODI #10746988

Official recalls

2

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.

08V329000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

Jul 23, 2008

VOLVO IS RECALLING MY 2008-2009 VEHICLES. A SECTION OF THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE WAS NOT PROPERLY VULCANIZED (CURED) AND DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE FAILS, A SUDDEN RUPTURE OF THE HOSE CAN OCCUR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A RAPID DRAINAGE OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE SYSTEM AND A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY 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.