- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles, the non-return valve may crack due to a poor weld causing a vacuum leak.
- The risk
- If this occurs, more brake pedal force may be required to stop the vehicle and/or may experience a rough engine idle, which could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the vacuum hose. The recall began on november 29, 2004. Owners should contact volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
Vehicle safety record
2004 Volvo V40 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2004 Volvo V40 with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (2) and the airbags (1). Those complaints describe 1 crash. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in October 2004 for the hoses, lines / piping, and fittings. For comparison, the 2003 has 5.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical V40 year, for its age
#284 most complained-about 2004 vehicle
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2004 Volvo V40 problems
Share of all 4 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2004 Volvo V40 recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- On certain sedans and station wagons, there may be a fuel leak from the fuel rail due to inadequate welding.
- The risk
- Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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4 complaints about the 2004 Volvo V40
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo v40. While driving 15 mph, the brakes malfunctioned. The contact depressed the brake pedal to the floorboard in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 44,000.
The driver's side airbag has failed for no apparent reason. The cost of repair will be around $900.00 The car was purchased 4 years ago. That is a very costly repair for a relatively young vehicle. I asked the service representative at my authorized volvo repair shop if I should expect the right side to fail as soon as I repair the left one. He said "no, the right never goes out." "I had one in just last week- exact same problem as yours." *Tr
Dt: consumer states when there is a sun glare on the dashboard there isn't enough illumination. The consumer was unable to see the instruments on the dashboard. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership and was told there was nothing that could be done about it.*Ak the consumer stated a flash light must be used to see the instruments on the panel. *Jb
On april 13, 2005 at approximately 4 pm, I was backing my v40 volvo 2004 wagon out of a parking space at the kossman garage, liberty avenue,pittsburgh, pa, going slowly because it was a tight space, when my brakes did not work, at all. Despite pushing my brakes as far as they would go, the car did not stop, and crashed into a concrete support beam, crashing in the entire back window and denting the back bumper vertically where the tall concrete beam hit it. Thank goodness, no people were hurt, and I was not injured...
Read the full complaint
either. No other vehicles were damaged, because the beam was directly behind me, thank goodness. The volvo headquarters inspected the car and said there was nothing wrong, but there was indeed something wrong with the brakes. Through my insurer, amica, I became aware of the reported hydraulics pro blem with brakes on certain v40 volvo 2004 cars. I also found a website showing a november, 2004 recall notice required to be sent by the national traffic and motor vehicle safety act to owners of such vehilces, but I never received such a notice. What is more, even after my accident, the company has never told me of such a problem. I found out today about this, thanks to my insurer who researched this. The car is now being repaired, at my and my insurers expense, although it may be due to the faulty brakes noted in the recall. I think there is some response needed from volvo for not informing me of this recall, for indicating it was my fault, and for not being willing to even send me a memo based on their evaluation of my car. My insurer is also wanting to know what their response is.
Volvo V40: every year compared
All V40 years2004 Volvo V40 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Volvo V40 | 4 | 3 | C | |
| 2004 Volvo S60 | 198 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Volvo V70 | 89 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Volvo S40 | 50 | 6 | D | Compare |
| 2004 Volvo S80 | 50 | 5 | D | Compare |
| 2004 Volvo C70 | 16 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2004 Volvo VNL | 5 | 6 | C | Compare |
| 2004 Volvo 780 | 5 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2004 Volvo VHD | 3 | 7 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2004 Volvo V40
Does the 2004 Volvo V40 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2004 Volvo V40: hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (October 2004); fuel system, gasoline (October 2003); labels (August 2003). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Volvo V40?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (2), airbags (1), body, doors & structure (1).
How many complaints has the 2004 Volvo V40 had?
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on May 23, 2005 and the latest on June 24, 2016. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2004 Volvo V40 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 45 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Volvo V40 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Volvo V40 years have the most complaints?
2000 (50), 2001 (11), 2002 (7). See every Volvo V40 year compared.
What should I do if my 2004 Volvo V40 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data