2002 Volvo S40: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
45,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 27 complaints (11.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 37.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 11.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
Electrical System: 3; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 2; Suspension: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2002: 2; 2003: 5; 2004: 1; 2005: 8; 2007: 5; 2009: 1; 2011: 2; 2013: 2; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003610 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION BUT THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE SYSTEM WORKED PROPERLY. *JB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007106 · 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)
CONSUMER REQUESTED ALL COMPLAINTS, RECALLS, CONCERNS AND ACCIDENTS LISTED FOR A 2002 VOLVO S40. *DT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10030802 · 2003-08-05 (August 5, 2003)
THE REAR BRAKE PADS ON MY 2002 S40 VOLVO WORE OUT AT ABOUT 21 THOUSAND MILES AND RUINED THE ROTOR. ACCORDING TO VOLVO CORP. THIS IS BECASUE THE GOVERNMENT IS HAS PROHIBITED THEM FROM USING ASBESTOS IN THE BRAKE PADS. VOLVO PUT NOISE MAKING "SQUEALERES" ON THE INSIDE PADS BUT DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKES THE OUTSIDE PADS WEAR OUT FIRST CAUSING A RIVIT ON THE PAD TO CONTACT THE ROTOR AND RUIN IT BEFORE THE PADS CAN BE REPLACED. ACCORDING TO THREE VOLVO SERVICE MANAGERS IT IS NORMAL FOR THE PADS TO WEAROUT AT BETWEEN 15 AND 20,000 MILES.I HAVE …
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030802 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038234 · 2003-10-01 (October 1, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT A VERY LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL REALLY HARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038234 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042382 · 2003-11-05 (November 5, 2003)
THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN HORN BUTTON WAS PRESSED FROM THE LEFT SIDE. THE HORN DID NOT WORK AT TIMES OR EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS NEEDED.*AK CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION IN WHICH HE TRIED TO USE THE HORN BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOT REPAIRED TO WORKING ORDER. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 6 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042382 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066717 · 2004-03-31 (March 31, 2004)
THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES WHEN THE VEHICLE STRUCK A TREE. THE SEAT BELT DIDN'T HOLD HIM IN PLACE AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *PH *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10066717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105803 · 2005-01-05 (January 5, 2005)
I WAS SLOWING DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE FOR MY EXIT AND MY STEERING WHEEL STARTING SHAKING SEVERELY TO THE POINT THAT I WAS BARELY ABLE TO CONTAIN IT THIS WAS WHEN I DECIDED TO TAKE MY S40 TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD NOTICED SOME SHAKING PREVIOUSLY BUT WASN'T SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND SINCE MY CAR HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED I FIGURED ANYTHING SERIOUS WOULD HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND PADS. MY MILEAGE SEEMED RATHER LOW FOR MY ROTORS TO BE SHOT SO I ASKED WHY THIS MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED AS I WORK FRO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10105803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109875 · 2005-02-05 (February 5, 2005)
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A HEADLIGHT 3 TIMES AND A TAILLIGHT 2 TIMES, A CONSOLE LIGHT, AND THE FUSE TO MY CIGARETTE LIGHTER IN MY 2002 VOLVO S40; 5 OF THESE THINGS IN THE LAST SIX WEEKS. THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP SAYS VOLVOS NOW ( THEY DIDN'T SPECIFY ANY PARTICULAR YEAR OF VOLVOS) ARE BLOWING HEADLIGHTS SO FREQUENTLY, THAT THE CUSTOMER REPS KEEP HEADLIGHT BULBS IN THEIR DESK DRAWERS AND REPLACE THEM FOR FREE. TO ME, THIS MEANS EITHER THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WITH THE VOLVO VOLTAGE REGULATORS OR THIS PARTICULAR VOLVO DEALERSHIP IS PUTTING ME OFF…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109875 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V284000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)
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.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
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 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA campaign record ↗