2005 Volvo S40: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 69 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (24% of complaints); the 2003 and 2007 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact's wife owns a 2005 Volvo S40. The contact stated the vehicle was difficult to start for several days. Eventually, the failure progressed and the vehicle was not able to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was repaired by the contact, a previous Volvo technician. The contact stated the failure was due to the pump electrical module being located out of the vehicle. The contact spoke with the dealer. The contact referenced The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2024
“The drivers seat belt does not lock/latch in properly. Everytime I enter the vehicle I reach for my seat belt and buckle myself, well so I thought I did. When I insert the belt it seems as though its buckles however once I start to drive the belt comes un done and it i always have to pull over to put it back on becsuse it locks the seat belt so I'm not able to just buckle back in.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2023
“My vehicle shuts off while im driving it. I took it to a mechanic 3 times and was advised its an issue with the fuel pump. I was also advised this is an known issue with this particular vehicle and was provided a NHTSA campaign id # 08v033000. *tr”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo s40. The contact stated that the rear passenger side carpet was saturated with water after a rain storm. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 45,506. *bf consumer stated the foam in roof of car is crumbling and roof seams are no longer intact.*jb”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2019
“Every time I drive the car it misses a little then it just shuts down like it's not getting any fuel the car don't die just won't pull out I tried to cross a 4 lane and it stalled in the first lane and I about got hit in the side it also did it on the interstate.it is very dangerous I was told it's the electronic fuel module,or pen and was told there was a recall on that part all over the internet but volvo said there wasn't which I don't believe why would the internet say there was on like 5or notre websites”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2018
“The car starts missing then stalls out after about 30miles of driving it stalled in the middle of crossing a 4 lane and was about hit.it is the pem they had recalls on them but not my car for some reason”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2018
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2017
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2017
“Fuel pump control module (pem) fails during wet conditions. Car will crank like normal but will not start. Let car dry out for a few days and then the car will run normal again.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2017
“Takata recall. I had engine stuttering at high speed. My fuel pressure sensor failed and was replaced. I question why it is not covered under the NHTSA campaign I.d. # 07v226000 which is for the same part in the same engine but in 2004 s60 models.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, REOCCURRING, LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS SALTY-WET CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE (PEM) TO BECOME CORRODED INTERNALLY. THIS CAN CAUSE A FAULTY SIGNAL TO THE FUEL PUMP, RESULTING IN LOW OR NO FUEL PRESSURE TO THE ENGINE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PEM AND INSTALL IT IN A NEW LOCATION TO PREVENT CORROSION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH T5 TURBO ENGINES, THE POLYAMIDE TUBE IN THE FUEL LINE IS SENSITIVE TO THE EXTREME TEMPERATURES THAT MAY OCCUR IN THE AREA WHERE THE TURBO/EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS LOCATED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE FUEL LINE MATERIAL TO TEFLON FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact S40 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Volvo S40 reliable?
NHTSA has 69 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Volvo S40. The most complained-about area is electrical system (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Volvo S40 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 76,500 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Volvo S40 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.