Model year record

2011 Volvo S40 recalls & problems

The 2011 Volvo S40 has 2 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (4 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints5filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

StructureMar 18, 2011

Frame and members

Recall 11V1860007 vehicles

Problem: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 S40 PASSENGER VEHICLES. A CRACK ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SUPPORT MEMBER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT MAY HAVE DEVELOPED DURING THE FORMING PROCESS IN COMPONENT PRODUCTION.
Risk: THE CRACK COULD HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE FRONT STRUCTURE AND MAY REDUCE THE CRASH PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKS ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SUPPORT MEMBER IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IF NO CRACK IS FOUND, NO FURTHER ACTION IS NEEDED. IF THE INSPECTION REVEALS THAT A VEHICLE HAS A CRACK IN THE SIDE SUPPORT MEMBER, THE VEHICLE WILL IMMEDIATELY BE TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE. A NEW REPLACEMENT VEHICLE OF EQUAL SPECIFICATION WILL BE PROVIDED BY VOLVO. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 15, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AT 1-800-458-1552, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 8:30 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. EST. OR E-MAIL AT CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM.

SeatsNov 22, 2010

Seats

Recall 10V5910007,420 vehicles

Problem: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RAIL'S DETECTION SYSTEM WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND MAY PERMIT THE PASSENGER TO FORWARD THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM.
Risk: POSITIONING OF THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT POWER SEAT STOPS FOR BOTH FRONT SEATS FOR THE PRESENCE OF AN "END STOP" AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR AT CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2011 Volvo S40 4 DR AWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	11.1%

2011 Volvo S40 4 DR FWD

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	11.1%

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

S40 FWD

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 5 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemInstrument panel › Speedometer/odometer	4	1	99,500 mi
Seats	1	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	0	—
StructureBody	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system › Instrument panel › Speedometer/odometer
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Volvo S40. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 115,314. The contact stated that at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 350,000 on VIN History USA.
Nov 11, 2025 · 350,000 miles
Structure › Body
Windshield bonding has failed on the top edge of the windshield. It leaks and I can move the glass easily. I am worried that the windshield will fall out in a crash and reduce the airbag performance
Apr 30, 2023
Electrical system
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH WHEN INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT COMPLETELY BLANK I HEARD A SIZZLING NOISE BEHIND THE DASH BOARD. I LOST THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE, LIGHT INDICATOR, BLINKER INDICATORS, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENTS YOU DEPEND ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF, IT CONTINUED SIZZLING SOUNDING LIKE IT WAS BURNING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I STARTED THE CAR AND NOTHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WORKS, I TURNED ON THE FLASHER AND LIMPED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, AS AN ELDERLY FEMALE THIS WAS VERY NERVE RACKING AS I DID NOT KNOW IF MY FLASHERS WERE WORKING NOR WHAT SPEED I WAS TRAVELING. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS SOMETHING CALLED…
Feb 13, 2017 · 69,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
A COLD, WET, WINTERY MORNING; PULLED INTO COFFEE SHOP PARKING LOT, PARKED CAR, TURNED ENGINE OFF, REMOVED KEY, GOT OUT OF THE CAR, LOCKED DOORS, WENT INTO THE COFFEE SHOP. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, NOTHING LEFT ON IN THE CAR. WHILE WAITING FOR COFFEE GLANCED OUT COFFEE SHOP WINDOW. SAW THAT THE CAR WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. A PANIC RUSH TO CAR FOUND A FIRE WAS BURNING BEHIND DASH. COFFEE SHOP HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER; THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. THE CAR, INOPERATIVE, WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. AN OPINION IS THAT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT INVOLVING THE CAR'S CEM (CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE) UNDER THE DASH, ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE, WAS LIKELY THE CAUSE AND SOURCE OF THE FIRE. DEALER REPORT; ENGINE & DASH WIRING,…
Jan 20, 2016 · 130,000 miles
Electrical system
BATTERY DEAD AND CAR WOULD NOT START; CAR HAD NOT BEEN USED FOR ONLY 1 WEEK OR LESS. *TR
Jun 3, 2013 · 7,500 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.