The Used Car Index

2004 Volvo S40 problems

NHTSA lists 48 complaints for the 2004 Volvo S40, 5 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 4 complaints mention an injury, with 4 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as VOLVO S40.

At a glance

Complaints
48
With crash
5
With fire
1
With injury (complaints)
4
Injuries
4
Deaths
0
Recalls
6
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
220,407
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
239

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
AIR BAGS1122.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1122.9%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC816.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING510.4%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE510.4%
STEERING48.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL48.3%
SERVICE BRAKES36.3%
ENGINE24.2%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING24.2%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
AIR BAGSFRONTAL5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMINSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEDELIVERY2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICPEDALS AND LINKAGES2
STRUCTUREBODY2
VISIBILITYWINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
EQUIPMENTAPPLIANCE1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEWARNINGS1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

6 recalls.

10V566000

Date: 2010-11-08. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

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

Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE. (excerpt)

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 GARMI (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

08V033000

Date: 2008-01-28. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Defect: 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-WE (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

06V137000

Date: 2006-04-24. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

Defect: 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: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

04V493000

Date: 2004-10-14. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

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

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

03V424000

Date: 2003-10-24. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

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

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

03V284000

Date: 2003-08-01. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. (excerpt)

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 1-80 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

239 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT105
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM65
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY22
WHEELS17
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER14
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC9
POWER TRAIN8

11032678

Date: 2026-04-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure
 Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.

11032671

Date: 2026-04-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. This TJ will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval.
 Current items under prior approval are listed in the "Service" sec

11027173

Date: 2025-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.

11020437

Date: 2025-04-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session:
 a ?Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in VIDA is between 12.5V and 14.9V.
 a ?Connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a

11016002

Date: 2025-02-21. Type: Service Campaign. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles.
 Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob.
 As a result, there is a possibil

11015994

Date: 2025-02-13. Type: Service Campaign. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles.
 Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob.
 As a result, there is a possibil

11014112

Date: 2025-01-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session:
 a ?Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in VIDA is between 12.5V and 14.9V.
 a ?Connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a

11014113

Date: 2025-01-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This is a Technical Journal: Vehicle/Connectivity report checklist. To provide timely and high-quality feedback to the appropriate department or factory

11007925

Date: 2024-08-14. Type: Other. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service

10249191

Date: 2024-01-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

This is a Technical Journal: 12V Battery Testing Method

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
S4048

Same model, other years

All model years | All Volvo models

Other Volvo models, 2004

Sources

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