2003 Volvo S40 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (4) · Vehicle Speed Control (2) · Tires (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volvo S40 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (160)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-04-23 · 35526.1.8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-07 · 37809.1.1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-06 · 19245 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal. vehicle type and platform identification.
Exterior Lighting 2025-04-10 · 8501 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: remote connection, bomgar application. before joining a remote session: •connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in vida is between 12.5v and 14.9v. •connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a voe
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-21 · S10303 · Service Campaign
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
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-13 · S10303 · Service Campaign
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 160 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-11-07 · Engine“engine light stays on. i have had 2 mechanics check it out. they don't know why the light is on. i am very concerned about the fuel line problem. …”
2018-12-07 · Suspension · 120,000 mi“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 c…”
2018-01-31 · Vehicle Speed Control · 108,000 mi“prior to latest incident, the car had occasionally gone into "limp" mode, sticking in 3rd gear but drivable. that problem would go away after a day or so. local shop couldn't find anything definitive. bigger problem was yesterday evening's loss of throttle control and multiple electrical issues. idle throttle setting (eg stopped at lights) became u…”
2013-02-08 · Electrical System · 125,000 mi“i returned to my car and found that i could not turn the ignition switch and as a result of the security system my car was totally inoperative. the car had to be towed to the nearest dealer, where it was diagnosed with a broken ignition switch, specifically the device that reads the chip in the key has failed and will not accept any key. currentl…”
2012-06-29 · Vehicle Speed Control · 94,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 volvo s40. the contact stated that while sitting at a traffic stop, the vehicle accelerated abnormally. the contact had his foot on the brake pedal and then had to shift into neutral to get the vehicle to slow down. the contact pulled the vehicle over, shut off and tried to restart the engine but it failed. the vehicle w…”
2010-12-10 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 69,650 mi“my 2003 volvo s40 has been driven fewer than 70,000 miles. all volvo recommended service has been performed by certified mechanics and is documented. my volvo dealer determined that the transmission had to be replaced. it is not at all reasonable to have a catastrophic transmission failure at only 70, 000 miles. i feel volvo should be respon…”
2010-08-09 · Unknown Or Other · 85,106 mi · 🔥 fire“i was driving when the car start to accelerated by itself, accel pedal went to the floor. i could not keep a car even by the hand brake, so as it was jumping ahead. then the car began to blow black and white smoke out under the hood. some how i turn off the engine, took the key and run away from the car in the middle of the traffic road. green…”
2010-03-09 · Tires“information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) on feb 12, i had a periodic maintenance done at the dealership and they advised me that my tires were bad. i had only had the tires a short while so i brought the car to where i bought them (sears) and was advised that the tread was good but there was rot…”
2007-03-19 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) · 48,000 mi“my 2003 s40 has been slipping gear between 3rd and 4th gear and ocassional hard shift between 2nd and 3rd gear. the car only has 49000 miles. i have gone to the dealer and they said, there is no software update for the tcm (transmission control module)and it needs to be replaced. cost $800. this gear slip makes driving very bothersome and dangerous…”
2006-12-11 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel“got a check engine light on and tried to get a full diagnostic test done, but the power control module was not communicating with vehicle. *jb…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.