2006 Volvo S40 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (13) · Fuel/Propulsion System (7) · Structure (6)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volvo S40 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
43 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2010-11-08 · campaign 10V566000 · 416 vehicles
Defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Risk: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (162)
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 162 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-08-19 · Fuel/Propulsion System“check engine light came on and stays in. vehicle always sputters to start, acceleration is sometimes slow to respond, has stalled out on a rare occasion usual on hills. i’m afraid someday i might be involved in a crash because of a lack of acceleration. …”
2022-06-25 · Fuel/Propulsion System“check engine light came on and has stayed on. stalled out in traffic, turned the car off and it restarted and i continued. happens two more times. initial start up has a delay in the engine turning over. gas pedal is slow to respond to acceleration. verified at a garage with code reader. suspect faulty wiring (corrosion) to fuel pump needing pem re…”
2020-12-08 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 108,000 mi“in some occasions car won't start and while driving the car it would shut off unexpectedly causing a dangerous situation. i believe it's the pump electronic module which is already recalled in some cars. according to your recall i have the exact same symptoms but my vin number is not part of the recall.…”
2020-05-09 · Electrical System“after a long period of rain, water pooled on rear driver and passenger floor. windows would not function, door locks would not function, turn signals didn't work. instrument panel flashed warnings of engine problems, brake failure, airbag problems. often lost entire panel while vehicle was being driven on highway, measurements going dead. this has …”
2020-04-26 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i went out to start my car for work and it would not start like it was out of but i have a half tank of gas in it but for some reason it sounds like the fuel pump/module is not working.…”
2020-04-13 · Unknown Or Other“ive had car 3 yrs and within last few monthe notice large water puddles on rear floors windows were all closed took it to my mechanic and states channels for sunroof were flawed as i later found out under computer car complaints volvo had class action on this few yrs back but i did not own car then there were many complaints from car owners re thi…”
2020-03-18 · Engine · 114,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2006 volvo s40. the contact stated while driving at 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. the contact was able to restart the vehicle after several minutes and several attempts. the vehicle was driven to the residence. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed nor repaired. the failure recu…”
2019-08-02 · Engine · 100,000 mi“found complaints on multiple sites about issue found on my vehicle . the oil filter housing corrugated breathing hose was so badly rotted was only little piece left rest fell off somewhere while operating vehicle. on top of that issue im ssuming due to thiss problem and it on going until i got check engine light it has caused oil filter housing its…”
2019-07-27 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 1,490,000 mi“recall on- fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump vovlvo recall no. 190…”
2016-03-18 · Engine · 95,000 mi“egr or aka. oil trap housing, tubing is broken and sucking in air. improper ventilation is tripping off emission code on dash. brittle black plastic housing, defective in nature and by design. potential other issues is the unwanted pressure build up in engine which can cause premature failure of oil cam seals which i also experienced.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.