2010 Volvo S40 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (2) · Structure:body (2) · Wheels (1)
🧭 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 (2)
Seats 2010-11-22 · campaign 10V591000 · 7,420 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: POSITIONING OF THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT POWER SEAT STOPS FOR BOTH FRONT SEATS FOR THE PRESENCE OF AN "END STOP" AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR AT CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM.
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 (154)
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 154 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-06-17 · Air Bags“hello. the warning of the device is on the dashboard that the srs is not functional …”
2024-02-05 · Electrical System · 💥 crash“i got into a car accident today. the electrical wiring is constantly giving out and i had no idea my airbags wouldn't work until today when they did not deploy. my car hit the other car enough to move it several feet and no airbags.…”
2022-06-15 · Visibility/Wiper“the adhesive and seal on the entire top of my windshield has failed. the glass is shaking while driving and rattles severely if a small bump is driven over on the road. this is a huge safety concern since my window could break or fall off at any given moment.…”
2021-09-02 · Visibility/Wiper“the windshield is coming unglued at the top center and right . i am concerned that the windshield could come out on the highway, i plan to contact a windshield shop and see if they can repair it.…”
2020-11-21 · Structure:body · 100,100 mi“i was driving 65mph on highway 101, just south of willits, california, when my sunroof exploded. i heard a loud explosion sound and immediately pulled over to figure out what just happened. i could see that my sunroof was mostly gone and there was pieces of glass falling on me. i called my husband to help calm me down, as my heart was racing and i …”
2020-10-07 · Power Train · 74,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2010 volvo s40. the contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift from reverse to drive as the gear shifter was stuck in neutral. the contact was unaware of any warning lights illuminating. the dealer alan byers (1230 w genesee st, syracuse, ny 13204) was notified of the failure however, the vehicle was not towed to the dea…”
2016-11-09 · Wheels · 78,000 mi“i was prompted to add air to my front tire due to the low tire pressure light coming on. after i added air i attempted to put the tire valve cap back on the wheel and it began forcefully blowing out air. i attempted again to secure the cap and the valve stem sensor came out of the valve stem completely. this is a huge safety risk, and i am now conc…”
2016-07-31 · Structure:body · 40,000 mi“my husband and i both own 2010 volvos. mine is s40, his xc60. we have both had leaks relating to faulty sunroof drain. dealer repaired and replaced for my husband at no cost, but fought with me - because i am a woman - until my husband came with me to dealership. even though they ultimately fixed the sunroof drain, there is still the stench of mold…”
2015-01-10 · Seat Belts“the seatbelt buckles stick when trying to eject. the buckle clasps have to be pushed down and wiggled a few times to unclasp. this is a serious safety issue because it's impossible to exit the car quickly. this is all belts in the car. this has happened since the car was new and has gotten worse. *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.