2006 Volvo S40: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 58 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (32% of complaints); the 2007 and 2008 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 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Check engine light came on and stays in. Vehicle always sputters to start, acceleration is sometimes slow to respond, has stalled out on a rare occasion usual on hills. I'm afraid someday I might be involved in a crash because of a lack of acceleration.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2022
“Check engine light came on and has stayed on. Stalled out in traffic, turned the car off and it restarted and I continued. Happens two more times. Initial start up has a delay in the engine turning over. Gas pedal is slow to respond to acceleration. Verified at a garage with code reader. Suspect faulty wiring (corrosion) to fuel pump needing PEM replacement. No warning prior to first incident around 02/2022. I have had the check engine light reset on multiple occasions and each time the light comes back on within 2 days. Safety has been a concern at multiple times. Entered VIN number with Volvo, a Volvo dealer, and nhtsa.gov with no help in resolving issue.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2022
“In some occasions car won't start and while driving the car it would shut off unexpectedly causing a dangerous situation. I believe it's the pump electronic module which is already recalled in some cars. According to your recall I have the exact same symptoms but my VIN number is not part of the recall.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“I went out to start my car for work and it would not start like it was out of but I have a half tank of gas in it but for some reason it sounds like the fuel pump/module is not working.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2020
“After a long period of rain, water pooled on rear driver and passenger floor. Windows would not function, door locks would not function, turn signals didn't work. Instrument panel flashed warnings of engine problems, brake failure, airbag problems. Often lost entire panel while vehicle was being driven on highway, measurements going dead. This has been going on for months and is getting worse. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2020
“Ive had car 3 yrs and within last few monthe notice large water puddles on rear floors windows were all closed took it to my mechanic and states channels for sunroof were flawed as I later found out under computer car complaints volvo had class action on this few yrs back but I did not own car then there were many complaints from car owners re this issue and volvo will do nothing im having new channels put in to drain water but its only temp as its a flaw that will continue to happen my electris is starting to short out car smells moldy/musty and will be worth very little I need some feedback on this issue as car is becoming totally worthless”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2019
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2019
“While driving down the road at approximately 50 mph I noticed my dim ( driver information module) had completely stopped working. I was unable to read my speedometer, rpm, fuel level, and engine temperature while the car was still running . After researching this online, it appears that this seems to be a common problem.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 volvo s40. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the engine stalled while the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08v033000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 volvo s40. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the sun roof drainage system was clogged and water entered into the vehicle which caused damage to the electrical system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 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 2006 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 2006 Volvo S40 reliable?
NHTSA has 58 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Volvo S40. The most complained-about area is electrical system (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Volvo S40 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 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.