The Volvo V40 spans 2000–2004 with 9 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2000, 2001, 2002 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2004, 2003, 2002. It delivers up to 23 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Volvo V40 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2000 to 2004 across multiple generations.
How to read a Volvo V40 VIN — every digit explained
Every Volvo V40 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Volvo and the country it was built in (real Volvo codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this V40.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- USA1WA · 1WU · 4V3 · 4V4 · 4V6 · 4VJ
- Mexico3CE · 3V4 · 3X1
- SwedenYV1 · YV3 · YV4
- ChinaLVY · LYV
- Canada2PC
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your V40, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Volvo V40 have?
The Volvo V40 has 9 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2000–2004. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2004 Volvo V40 recalls 3
Equipment:other:labels
What's wrong. 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. 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
What's wrong. 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.
2003 Volvo V40 recalls 2
Equipment:other:labels
What's wrong. 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline
What's wrong. 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.
2002 Volvo V40 recalls 1
Equipment:other:labels
What's wrong. 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.
2001 Volvo V40 recalls 2
Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner
What's wrong. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN AND WAGON PASSENGER VEHICLES. A DIODE IN THE ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM MAY HAVE A REDUCED SERVICE LIFE.
Risk. IF THE DIODE FAILS, THE HEATER FAN STOPS OPERATING AND THE DEFROSTER FUNCTION IS AFFECTED.
Fix. DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADAPTER WITH A DIODE FITTED TO THE HEATER FAN MOTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 11, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Equipment:other:labels
What's wrong. 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.
2000 Volvo V40 recalls 1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
What's wrong. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, WATER CAN ENTER THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, CAUSING THE PUMP TO FAIL.
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST AND AN INCREASE IN NEEDED BRAKE PEDAL FORCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PUMP WITH A NEW AND IMPROVED VERSION AND MOVE THE PUMP TO A NEW LOCATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Best and worst years for the Volvo V40
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 5 tracked years, the worst years are 2000, 2001, 2002 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2004, 2003, 2002.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 V40 | Service Brakes | Avoid | |
| 2001 V40 | Service Brakes | Avoid | |
| 2002 V40 | Service Brakes | Avoid | |
| 2003 V40 | Power Train | Best | |
| 2004 V40 | Service Brakes | Best |
What are the most common Volvo V40 problems?
The most-reported Volvo V40 problems are Seats (2 reports), Wheels (3 reports) and Air Bags (2 reports) — out of 80 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Volvo V40 specifications & dimensions
The 2001–2004 Volvo V40 measures 179″ long on a 101″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 2,822 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Volvo V40 window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001–2004 | 179″ | 68″ | 56″ | 101″ | 2,822 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Volvo V40 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the V40 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 89 cu ft of passenger volume and 33 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Volvo V40 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Volvo V40 get?
The Volvo V40 returns up to 23 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,350/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2004 Volvo V40 (1.9L 4-cyl) gets 22 mpg combined and costs about $3,500/yr to fuel, emitting 404 g/mi CO₂ (smog 1/10) — about $6,500 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 V40 | 19 | 27 | $3,500 | 404 | 1/10 | 1.9L 4-cyl | |
| 2003 V40 | 19 | 27 | $3,500 | 404 | — | 1.9L 4-cyl | |
| 2002 V40 | 19 | 27 | $3,500 | 404 | — | 1.9L 4-cyl | |
| 2001 V40 | 20 | 29 | $3,350 | 386 | — | 1.9L 4-cyl | |
| 2000 V40 | 19 | 26 | $3,650 | 423 | — | 1.9L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the V40 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient wagons, or calculate this V40's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Volvo V40 have? Power & range
The Volvo V40 is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.9L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.9L · 4-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | FWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Volvo V40 cost to own?
A Volvo V40 tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used V40 is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this V40 loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $16,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the V40 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Volvo V40 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the V40 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Volvo V40 last?
A well-maintained Volvo V40 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Volvo V40’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this V40’s VIN free →All Volvo V40 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Volvo V40 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 V40 | 3 recalls | — | |
| 2003 V40 | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2002 V40 | 1 recall | — | |
| 2001 V40 | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2000 V40 | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the V40?
By owner-complaint volume, 2000, 2001, 2002 drew the most reports. 2004, 2003, 2002 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the V40 have?
9 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2000–2004. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Volvo recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the V40 get?
Up to 23 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a V40 last?
A well-maintained V40 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the V40 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the V40 is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Volvo V40 warranty?
New Volvo models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Volvo dealer.
Where is the Volvo V40 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your V40's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Volvo may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a V40 weigh?
The V40's curb weight is around 2,822 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the V40 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.