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Engine & cooling

Volvo S40 Engine problems by year

79 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Volvo S40's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20092000
20084100
20075000
200610010
200517000
20047000
20032000
20024000
200117000
200011100

Latest S40 engine complaints

2003 Volvo S40Engine & cooling

Engine light stays on. I have had 2 mechanics check it out. They don't know why the light is on. I am very concerned about the fuel line problem.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11439636
2008 Volvo S40SuspensionElectrical systemEngine & coolingCrash

After buying the vehicle on 7/9/21, the car started having problems with the cooling system. I took it to a repair shop and they said the cooling system was overfilled. The air problem continued. I took it back to the dealership who said they fixed it but it continued. I contacted the prior Manufactuer service center who informed me the computer chip was recommended to be replaced when the dealer had it serviced but they declined, causing all the electrical and cooling issues. I called the dealer and they said they...

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had the alarm disconnected also which was why the computer system wasn't working. The alarm system doesn't work and I have had to replace the key fob 3 times. I took it to another repair shop who diagnosed the following as permanent failure codes: 6 CEM codes, 1 ECM code, 6 SRS codes, 2 DIM codes, 11 CEM-HS codes, passenger and driver door codes, 4 climate control codes, 1EPS code, 4 SWM codes, DD11, all of which are safety hazards.

Filed Incident Suspension · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11428519
2001 Volvo S40Electrical systemBody, doors & structureEngine & coolingFire

Me an my husband was driving the car an it started to run hot so we went an got the part to go on the car an when when we got back to my father in law house the car cut off an started to smoke real bad then went into flames an when we first got the car we got everything fix on it an then when you plug the montior to the the car it said we had ten codes up there an they was the same codes that was on the car an we know we had got everything fix on the car an we was still having problems with the car no we out of a car cause it went into flames.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Structure · EngineNHTSA 11339721
2006 Volvo S40Engine & cooling

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 recurred intermittently. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11318613
2005 Volvo S40Engine & cooling

2005 Volvo s40 engine air conditioning malfunctioned. When the problem first begun the car would be cool at start then get warm until one day the air conditioning just quit working. I read on this forum authorized volvo dealership admits this is a common problem in this year/make/model. The compressor clutch or compressor or both required replacing. In a class action lawsuit [filed 2018] http://www.Autopartsclass.Com/index.Php includes the 2005 volvo s40 air conditioning unit: [see below] ...

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congratulations! Your 2005 volvo s40 is included in the following auto parts cases: in re: instrument panel clusters in re: air conditioning systems in re: alternators in re: windshield wiper systems

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11246021
2006 Volvo S40Engine & cooling

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 itself to go bad im assuming in part to all oil build up from hose missing causing vacuum issues' why isnt his car that has same issue as others that were recalled with same...

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exact operating and looking part with same exact hose rotting issue causing oil filter housing to become built up with gunk causing leaks both air and oil.. .. Pleae answer these issues for it shows how much volvo cares about quality of there products

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11241342
2000 Volvo S40Acceleration & cruise controlBrakesEngine & cooling

The car has problems starting and takes a few tries before starting up. Have also had a problem where the car was in park with the parking brake engaged and the car was revving on its own. There have also been problems while the car has been slowing down on the freeway, specifically when the brakes are being engaged the car will attempt to move forward as though it is trying to push pass the fact that the brakes are being engaged. As well as the car will accelerate faster than the gas pedal is being pushed e.G when the gas pedal is slightly pushed the car will accelerate quickly as though the gas pedal was being pushed upon firmly.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11118565
2008 Volvo S40Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo s40. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle overheated and stalled. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 191,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11118496
2005 Volvo S40Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo s40. When the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal vibration coming from the vehicle. Upon opening the hood and checking the engine, the contact noticed that the passenger side of the engine was fractured. The contact stated that the fracture was along the top side of the engine. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 43,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11057910
2005 Volvo S40Engine & cooling

Car loosing power and engine missing at highway speeds. Engine light went on. Failure of fuel pressure monitor.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11054027
2005 Volvo S40Engine & cooling

Car is all of a sudden accelerating on its own. It has happened a handful of times within the last month. I will make a turn, let off the gas peddle and then the car will just jerk forward revving up the rpms and accelerating on its own.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11041947
2007 Volvo S40Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Safety concern: 2007 volvo s40 electronic throttle module failure - causing "reduced engine performance" message and vehicle (2007 volvo s40) suddenly slows down while in motion, limps and cannot go higher speed. Had barely exited the freeway on 1/24/2017 and this happened as I was on ramp. Could be extremely dangerous if it happened 1 minute before when on freeway. Turned vehicle in right away to local volvo dealership (which was luckily within 15 minutes) and they diagnosed it to be faulty electronic throttle...

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module needing replacement. Mileage on car 129,000 miles. Wanted to report so this issue can be looked into for safety concern and if the huge cost of replacement can be offset so owners can have peace of mind replacing it timely if there is a recommendation or bulletin (similar to timing belts etc. - Which I don't believe there is currently for electronic throttle module).

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 10947597
2006 Volvo S40Engine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10850393
2001 Volvo S40Engine & coolingFire

Car caught fire without warning as I was driving it. Car had 93,000 and had passed va inspection in august. I pulled over and called 911. By the time the fire department arrived 3 minutes later, entire engine was engulfed in large flames. The temperature gauge never indicated the engine was running hot. Usaa removed the vehicle, and I don't know whether they will inspect it for cause, but I suspect an electrical malfunction.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10819591

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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