Is the Volvo S40 Reliable?
2000–2011 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.
Reliability Score
Own a Volvo S40? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Volvo S40 Reliability by Year
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 0 | 5 | — | — | 95 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 1 | 4 | — | — | 91 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 1 | 4 | — | — | 91 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 1 | 11 | 3 | — | 83 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 2 | 16 | 6 | — | 71 | Good |
| 2006 | 2 | 40 | 2 | — | 59 | Fair |
| 2005 | 2 | 45 | 1 | — | 60 | Fair |
| 2004 | 3 | 37 | 4 | — | 53 | Fair |
| 2003 | 1 | 10 | — | — | 85 | Excellent |
| 2002 | 0 | 23 | 3 | — | 76 | Good |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the S40 Compares to Similar Vehicles
The S40 scores 4 points above the average sedan — a strong result.
Known Volvo S40 Reliability Issues
The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:
Based on 195 owner complaints across recent model years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Volvo S40 reliable?+
The Volvo S40 scores 76/100 on our reliability index — rated "Good." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 13 recall campaigns and 195 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.
What year S40 is most reliable?+
Among the years analyzed, the 2011 S40 achieved the highest reliability score of 95/100 with 0 recalls and 5 complaints.
How many miles does a S40 last?+
With consistent maintenance, most Volvo S40 owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used S40 will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.
More Volvo S40 Research
Check a Specific Volvo S40 VIN
Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.
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