2003 Volvo S40: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
85,106 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 18 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 38.9% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 11.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Electrical System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail: 2; Tires: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 9 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2010: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2018: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10016992 · 2003-05-04 (May 4, 2003)
TRANSMISSION SLIPS FROM 2ND TO 3RD FROM TIME TO TIME. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR SHIFTS HARSHLY FROM 3RD TO 2ND GEAR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016992 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026090 · 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)
I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING A 2003 VOLVO S40. IT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A TRANSMISSION SLIP BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. I HAD TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR TWO TIMES DUE TO THE ABOVE PROBLEM. THE ONLY THING THEY DID WAS UPGRADING THE PROGRAM, WHICH IT DID NOT HELP AT ALL. THE MAJOR PROBLEM IS I ALMOST GOT IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON 6/27/2003 WHILE I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THE CAR LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE ON COMING TRAFFIC BARELY MISSED RUNNING INTO MY VOLVO. THIS TRANSMISSION SLIPPING USUALLY LAST FOR 2 TO 3 SECS AND THIS…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033856 · 2003-08-13 (August 13, 2003)
2002 VOLVO S40 EXPERIENCED MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THE ENGINE FUEL LINE. *MR *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033856 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052437 · 2004-01-05 (January 5, 2004)
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A COMPLAINT THAT ONE OF THE MICHELIN TIRES ON MY NEW VOLVO S40 (BOUGHT ON JAN 25, 2003: [XXX]) BLEW OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT AS I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 25MPH. ON THE SAME DAY FRIDAY (DEC 12, 03) I CONTACTED THE VOLVO DEALER WITH A REQUEST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THEY REFUSED TO EVALUATE THE TIRE AND ONLY TOLD ME TO CALL MICHELIN. ON DEC 15, 03, I CALLED MICHELIN AND WAS TOLD THAT VALLEY FORGE TIRE AND AUTO CENTER WAS THE CLOSEST CERTIFIED MICHELIN DEALER IN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10052437 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057746 · 2004-02-09 (February 9, 2004)
CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE ISOFIX GUIDE THAT THE MANUFACTURER SENT FOR RECALL 03V284000 COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057746 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10065869 · 2004-04-09 (April 9, 2004)
THE FOLLOWING IS A SYNOPSIS OF ORIGINAL E-MAIL I SENT TO VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA FOR YOUR RECORDS. *AK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I FINALLY HAD MY 2003 VOLVO S40 SERVICED FOR EXCESSIVE BUMPY RIDE PROBLEM THAT IVE COMPLAINED ABOUT SINCE THE TIME I BOUGHT IT FROM HOWARD ORLOFF IN MAY 2003. IM APPALLED TO LEARN THAT FOLKS AT HOWARD ORLOFF LEFT THE SPRING SPACERS IN PLACE ALONG THE FRONT SUSPENSION WHEN THEY SOLD ME THE CAR; AND AFTER SEVERAL COMPLAINS (OF WHICH YOU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10065869 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10071409 · 2004-04-23 (April 23, 2004)
CONSUMER STATED THAT BANRIDGE VOLVO WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL DEALING WITH THE FUEL RAIL. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 04/22/2004. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10071409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126023 · 2005-06-21 (June 21, 2005)
TRANSMISSION SLIPS BETWEEN GEARS 2ND AND 3RD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10126023 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 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 ↗03V424000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Reported: 2003-10-24 (October 24, 2003)
ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS, THERE MAY BE A FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL DUE TO INADEQUATE WELDING.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A V-CLAMP TO THE FUEL RAIL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA campaign record ↗