2004 Volvo S40 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
48 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
64,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 35 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 48 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 33.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 20.8% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 12.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
Electrical System: 9; Air Bags: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Service Brakes: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 13 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2004: 1; 2005: 6; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2008: 4; 2009: 4; 2010: 6; 2011: 3; 2012: 5; 2014: 3; 2015: 3; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10113582 · 2005-03-07 (March 7, 2005)
THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS OUTSIDE OF THE REMEDY SCOPE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB. THERE WERE FIVE INCIDENTS WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED APON APPLICATION OF BRAKES. INITIALLY TOOK VEHICLE TO VOLVO ON 11/11/2004. THEY RAN ALL TESTS AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. SINCE THEN, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AND CONSUMER WILL AGAIN REQUEST VOLVO TO CHECK IT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 13,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10113582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10113589 · 2005-03-07 (March 7, 2005)
CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING ON GOING PROBLEMS WITH APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THE VEHICLE MEETS NHTSA SPECIFICATION . *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10113589 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115193 · 2005-03-15 (March 15, 2005)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY CUT ON AND OFF AT TIMES; THE POWER WINDOWS AND DOORS DID NOT WORK, AND GAS GAUGE ALWAYS SHOWED THAT VEHICLE HAD NO FUEL. ALSO, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. FINALLY, THE TRUNK DID NOT OPEN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10115193 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126887 · 2005-06-20 (June 20, 2005)
2004 VOLVO S40 EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. *MR THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS INTERMITTENT. AT NIGHT THERE WOULD BE NO REAR TAIL LIGHTS. THE RIGHT FRONT PARK LIGHT AND THE YELLOW SIDE MARKER LIGHT HAD GONE OUT AS WELL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CEM. THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY LASTED 8 MONTHS. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10126887 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10295636 · 2009-12-14 (December 14, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER A PERIOD OF WAITING SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VOLVO MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10295636 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10352679 · 2010-08-30 (August 30, 2010)
ON CERTAIN VOLVO VEHICLES, INSUFFICIENT SEALING OF THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE MAY LEAD TO WATER INGRESS CORROSION, POSSIBLY CAUSING THE UNIT TO FAIL. THIS MAY RESULT IN INCREASED, DECREASED, OR LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE. ENGINE STALLING WOULD RESULT IN LOST PROPULSION WHICH, IN CONJUNCTION WITH TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS, AND THE DRIVER'S REACTIONS, COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A COLLISION OR SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY. CORRECTION: DEALERS SHOULD REPLACE AND RELOCATE THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE. RELOCATION OF PEM IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW AND SH…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10352679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097709 · 2004-10-19 (October 19, 2004)
MULTIPLE FAILURES. AIR BAG SYSTEM, PROBLEM STARTING AND NOISE IN STEERING. *BF THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD AN AIR CONDITION PROBLEM. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A DEVICE THAT WEIGHED PASSENGERS TO DETERMINE IF THE AIR BAG SHOULD BE ACTIVATED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10097709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10195469 · 2007-07-06 (July 6, 2007)
DASHBOARD WENT CRAZY, FADING IN AND OUT. ALL PANELS WERE UNREADABLE, SPEEDOMETER, RADIO, TEMPERATURE GAUGE. CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL. CD WAS SHOT INTO THE BACKSEAT LANDING IN MY CHILD SAFETY SEAT. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IN ALL 3 INSTANCES THE MESSAGE INDICATOR STATED TO NOT DRIVE THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS THE SOFTWARE AND REINSTALLED. THE SECOND TIME, THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A W…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10195469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10318428 · 2010-03-10 (March 10, 2010)
I LIVE IN TEXAS. I OWN A VOLVO. 2004 S-40. APPARENTLY HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS ON VOLVO S-40'S PERTAINING TO THE GASOLINE FUEL PUMPS. THESE RECALLS ONLY APPLY TO CERTAIN STATES UP NORTH. I DID SPEAK TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE (BART) AT VOLVO. I FEEL LIKE I AM INVOLVED IN A CAT AN MOUSE GAME WHEN I TALK TO HIM. HE SAYS MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. I TOLD HIM IT PROBABLY WOULD NOT BE INVOLVED IN THE RECALL SINCE VOLVO HAS ONLY INVOLVED STATES UP NORTH. THAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF MY CALL. HOW IS IT THAT AUTO COMPANY'S ARE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10318428 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10386147 · 2011-03-02 (March 2, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS UP TO 4000. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED TO 40 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DROVE HOME WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED AS THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. WHEN HE ARRIVED HOME, HE ABRUPTLY JAMMED DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHIFTED TO PARK UNTIL THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE CAUSED BY …
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10386147 at NHTSA ↗