The most-reported S40 run is YV1VS255XYF (2000 builds) with 13 complaints, 5.7× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 22% of reports; 2001 is the worst model year at 5.6 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for S40 model years 2000–2011.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Volvo S40 has 171 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 13% of every S40 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YV1VS255XYF•••••• | 2000 | 2 | — | |
| YV1VS2556YF•••••• | 2000 | — | 1 | |
| YV1VS2558YF•••••• | 2000 | 2 | — | |
| YV1VS29511F•••••• | 2001 | 1 | — | |
| YV1VS2555YF•••••• | 2000 | 1 | — | |
| YV1VS2557YF•••••• | 2000 | — | — | |
| YV1VS29561F•••••• | 2001 | 1 | — | |
| YV1VS2559YF•••••• | 2000 | 3 | — | |
| YV1MS382262•••••• | 2006 | — | — | |
| YV1VS29551F•••••• | 2001 | — | — | |
| YV1VS29571F•••••• | 2001 | 1 | 2 | |
| YV1VS29531F•••••• | 2001 | 3 | — |
Each of the other 159 S40 runs has 7 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 10 S40 VINs so far, most often 2010, 2006, 2011 builds.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Volvo S40 the gap between build years is 5.6×: a 2001 car draws 5.6 complaints per run, a 2010 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 5 | 5 | — | |
| 2010 | 8 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 10 | 6 | — | |
| 2008 | 12 | 8 | 5 | |
| 2007 | 19 | 12 | 4 | |
| 2006 | 48 | 24 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 59 | 33 | 2 | |
| 2004 | 42 | 29 | 5 | |
| 2003 | 13 | 10 | — | |
| 2002 | 19 | 10 | 3 | |
| 2001 | 67 | 12 | 7 | |
| 2000 | 86 | 18 | 11 |
Heaviest year here is 2001 at 5.6 complaints per run; lightest is 2010 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 22% of everything Volvo S40 owners report: Service Brakes, 89 of 388 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 12 | 3 | |
| Electrical System | 4 | 4 | |
| Hydraulic | 8 | 3 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 4 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | — | |
| Air Bags | 13 | — | |
| Engine | 2 | 3 | |
| Fuel System | — | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 12 recall campaigns on the Volvo S40; the 6 below cover build years 2001 to 2011. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 10V566000 | Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System) | 2004–2010 |
| 03V284000 | Equipment:other:labels | 2001–2004 |
| 10V591000 | Seats | 2009–2011 |
| 06V137000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 2004–2006 |
| 08V033000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2004–2006 |
| 08V329000 | Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections | 2008–2009 |
10V566000 was opened in 2010 on cars built from 2004: 6 years on the road before the recall.
The S40 against its rivals
The S40 draws 2.3 complaints per production run; the Saturn Astra 3.9. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo S40 | 388 | 171 | 10.1% | |
| Saturn Astra | 146 | 37 | 2.7% |
How serious were they
Of the 388 reports on the Volvo S40, 10.1% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Volvo S40 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 388 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 39 (10.1%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 12 (3.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 20 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 74% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Volvo S40 share of that is 388 complaints over 171 runs, 0.03% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Volvo S40 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 388 NHTSA complaints from 171 S40 runs and 12 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which S40 production run has the most complaints?
YV1VS255XYF, a 2000 build, with 13 complaints, 2 of them after a crash. The typical S40 run has 2.3.
Which S40 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2001 is heaviest at 5.6 complaints per run and 2010 lightest at 1.
Does the S40 get more complaints than the Saturn Astra?
No: 2.3 complaints per production run for the S40 against 3.9 for the Saturn Astra.
How many S40 complaints involve a crash?
10.1% of 388 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 12 involved a fire.
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