Volvo

S40 (MS)

2005-2011 · Compact Sedan · 2 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (2.1)
205 NHTSA Complaints
7 Recalls
5 Fire Reports
13 Crash Reports
View all 2 generations of the Volvo S40 → 📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

B5254T3

2.5L 5-cyl / 217 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.1)
53 complaints 14.7 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
13
electrical
13
fuel system
12
cooling
8
body
6

Known Issues

Engine Issues (13 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (13 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (12 complaints)

B5244S4

2.4L 5-cyl / 168 hp
Avoid (1.6)
107 complaints 13.3 per year Gasoline
4 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
31
engine
17
fuel system
17
brakes
14
other
12

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (31 complaints)
Engine Issues (17 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (17 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Volvo S40 regardless of engine variant.

Electrical System Issues (44 complaints)
electrical critical
Engine Issues (30 complaints)
engine critical
Fuel System Issues (29 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Brakes Issues (14 complaints)
brakes critical
Safety Systems Issues (10 complaints)
safety_systems critical

Recalls (7)

11V186000Mar 17, 2011serious
Structure

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 S40 PASSENGER VEHICLES. A CRACK ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SUPPORT MEMBER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY HAVE DEVELOPED DURING THE FORMING PROCESS IN COMPONENT PRODUCTION.

10V591000Nov 21, 2010serious
Seats

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RAIL'S DETECTION SYSTEM WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND MAY PERMIT THE PASSENGER TO FORWARD THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM.

10V566000Aug 10, 2010serious
Equipment

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

08V033000Jan 27, 2008serious
Fuel System

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.

08V329000Jul 22, 2008serious
Steering

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.

08V101000May 2, 2008serious
Service Brakes

VOLVO IS RECALLING 1,114 MY 2007 C30, C70, S40, AND V50 PASSENGER VEHICLES. A SOFT ANODIZED LAYER IN THE MASTER CYLINDER MAY TRIGGER EARLY WEAR ON A RUBBER SEAL THAT CAN RESULT IN INTERNAL LEAKAGE OF BRAKE FLUID. IF AFFECTED, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE REDUCED BRAKE PERFORMANCE WHEN APPLYING AND MAINTAINING FORCE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL.

06V137000Apr 23, 2006serious
Fuel System

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.

All Generations

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2005-2011 Volvo S40 problems?

The 2005-2011 Volvo S40 has accumulated 205 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Engine, Fuel System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Volvo S40 engine is most reliable?

The 2005-2011 Volvo S40 was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.4L 5-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2005-2011 Volvo S40 a good used car?

The 2005-2011 Volvo S40 can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 205 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005-2011 Volvo S40 have?

The 2005-2011 Volvo S40 has 205 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2005-2011 Volvo S40?

There are 7 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2005-2011 Volvo S40 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Volvo S40?

Before buying a used Volvo S40, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Engine, Fuel System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the S40 have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2005-2011 Volvo S40. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 205 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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