The 2004 Volvo V40 has 3 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (1 complaint).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints4filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA recall 04V493000 · Oct 14, 2004 · 1,719 vehicles
Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NON-RETURN VALVE MAY CRACK DUE TO A POOR WELD CAUSING A VACUUM LEAK.
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.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline
NHTSA recall 03V424000 · Oct 24, 2003 · 15,067 vehicles
Problem: ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS, THERE MAY BE A FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL DUE TO INADEQUATE WELDING.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels
NHTSA recall 03V284000 · Aug 1, 2003 · 220,407 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (OVSC)
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.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
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.
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
2004 Volvo V40 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
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
V40
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/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
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Power assist › Hydraulic › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
1
1
0
0
—
Structure
1
0
0
0
—
Air bags Side/window
1
0
0
0
—
Service brakes
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jun 18, 2016 · 44,000 milesService brakes 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.
Jan 10, 2008 · 87,036 milesAir bags › Side/window 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
Jan 23, 2004Structure 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
Apr 13, 2005 · crashService brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Hydraulic › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings 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 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…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.