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Volvo V40 VIN Check

NHTSA holds 53 owner complaints on the Volvo V40 from 27 production runs; the worst run has 5, the typical one 2.

NHTSA complaint records · 53 complaints · 27 runs · 2000–2004 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported V40 run is YV1VW255XYF (2000 builds) with 5 complaints, 2.5× the typical run. Service brakes problems make up 34% of reports; 2000 is the worst model year at 3.3 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for V40 model years 2000–2004.

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 V40 has 27 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 42% of every V40 complaint on file.

FIG.01·Volvo V40 — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
YV1VW255XYF••••••20005——
YV1VW2559YF••••••200052—
YV1VW2552YF••••••20004——
YV1VW2551YF••••••20004——
YV1VW2555YF••••••20004——
YV1VW2556YF••••••20004——
YV1VW2554YF••••••20004——
YV1VW2557YF••••••20003——
YV1VW29521F••••••20012——
YV1VW2553YF••••••20001——
YV1VW275X4F••••••20041——
YV1VW355XYF••••••20001——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 15 V40 runs has 1 complaint or fewer.

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 V40 the gap between build years is 3.3×: a 2000 car draws 3.3 complaints per run, a 2002 one 1.

FIG.02·Volvo V40 — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20041441
2002144—
20011.1871
20003.336112
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2000 at 3.3 complaints per run; lightest is 2002 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 34% of everything Volvo V40 owners report: Service Brakes, 29 of 53 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Volvo V40 — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Service Brakes292—
Hydraulic282—
Engine And Engine Cooling11——
Electrical System5——
Vehicle Speed Control51—
Suspension3——
Unknown Or Other2——
Exterior Lighting2——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 5 recall campaigns on the Volvo V40; the 5 below cover build years 2000 to 2004. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Volvo V40 — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
03V284000Equipment:other:labels2001–2004
03V424000Fuel System, Gasoline2003–2004
04V493000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings2004
01V169000Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner2001
03V474000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum2000
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

03V284000 was opened in 2003 on cars built from 2001: 2 years on the road before the recall.

How serious were they

Of the 53 reports on the Volvo V40, 7.5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·Volvo V40 — complaint severity
OutcomeVolvo V40All vehicles
Complaints filed531,115,966
Involved a crash4 (7.5%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire0 (0%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported258,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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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 V40 share of that is 53 complaints over 27 runs, 0% of everything on record.

Everything on the Volvo V40
Recalls9 campaignsFuel economy23 mpg bestReliability4.0/5Common problems80 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space33 cu ftWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2000–2004

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Volvo V40 VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 53 NHTSA complaints from 27 V40 runs and 5 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which V40 production run has the most complaints?

YV1VW255XYF, a 2000 build, with 5 complaints. The typical V40 run has 2.

Which V40 years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2000 is heaviest at 3.3 complaints per run and 2002 lightest at 1.

How many V40 complaints involve a crash?

7.5% of 53 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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