Volvo · S40 · 2005
3
Recalls
81
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2005 Volvo S40 has 3 recalls and 81 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: electrical system (11 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2005 Volvo S40 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is electrical system with 11 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Remedy Status
VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, REOCCURRING, LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS SALTY-WET CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE (PEM) TO BECOME CORRODED INTERNALLY. THIS CAN CAUSE A FAULTY SIGNAL TO THE FUEL PUMP, RESULTING IN LOW OR NO FUEL PRESSURE TO THE ENGINE.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PEM AND INSTALL IT IN A NEW LOCATION TO PREVENT CORROSION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH T5 TURBO ENGINES, THE POLYAMIDE TUBE IN THE FUEL LINE IS SENSITIVE TO THE EXTREME TEMPERATURES THAT MAY OCCUR IN THE AREA WHERE THE TURBO/EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS LOCATED.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE FUEL LINE MATERIAL TO TEFLON FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
The contact's wife owns a 2005 Volvo S40. The contact stated the vehicle was difficult to start for several days. Eventually, the failure progressed and the vehicle was not able to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was repaired by the contact, a...
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The drivers seat belt does not lock/latch in properly. Everytime I enter the vehicle I reach for my seat belt and buckle myself, well so I thought I did. When I insert the belt it seems as though its buckles however once I start to drive the belt comes un done and it i always hav...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE HAD FAILED DUE TO RUSTING AND CORROSION. ...
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I WAS TOLD BY SHOP THAT WORK ON MY CAR THAT WERE A RECALL ON THE PVC VAUL ON THE 2005 VOLV S40 2.4. *TR
MY VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE IM DRIVING IT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND WAS ADVISED ITS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THIS IS AN KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND WAS PROVIDED A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 08V033000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE CARPET WAS SATURATED WITH WATER AFTER A RAIN STORM. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MIL...
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EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR IT MISSES A LITTLE THEN IT JUST SHUTS DOWN LIKE IT'S NOT GETTING ANY FUEL THE CAR DON'T DIE JUST WON'T PULL OUT I TRIED TO CROSS A 4 LANE AND IT STALLED IN THE FIRST LANE AND I ABOUT GOT HIT IN THE SIDE IT ALSO DID IT ON THE INTERSTATE.IT IS VERY DANGER...
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THE CAR STARTS MISSING THEN STALLS OUT AFTER ABOUT 30MILES OF DRIVING IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF CROSSING A 4 LANE AND WAS ABOUT HIT.IT IS THE PEM THEY HAD RECALLS ON THEM BUT NOT MY CAR FOR SOME REASON
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON OPENING THE HOOD AND CHECKING THE ENGINE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRACTU...
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CAR IS ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. IT HAS HAPPENED A HANDFUL OF TIMES WITHIN THE LAST MONTH. I WILL MAKE A TURN, LET OFF THE GAS PEDDLE AND THEN THE CAR WILL JUST JERK FORWARD REVVING UP THE RPMS AND ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN.
Showing 10 recent complaints from 81 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2005 Volvo models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2005 Volvo S40 has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 81 owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Volvo S40.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2005 Volvo S40.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2005 Volvo S40 are electrical system (11 reports), engine and engine cooling (10 reports), fuel system, gasoline (7 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2005 Volvo S40. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.