2004 Volvo S40: common problems and reliability
One of the worst S40 years.
One of the Volvo S40 years to avoid. All S40 years
50 owner complaints, most about air bags. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 S40?The 2004 Volvo S40 has 50 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and service brakes.
Safety record for the 2004 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2004 Volvo S40 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other S40 years only. How we score it
Is 2004 a good year for the S40?
Across the 12 S40 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 5 (2011) to 134 (2000). With 50 complaints, the 2004 S40 sits above the model's median of 30.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2004 S40
equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
Campaign 10V566000VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
fuel system, gasoline
Campaign 06V137000ON 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.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 08V033000ON 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.
fuel system, gasoline
Campaign 03V424000ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS, THERE MAY BE A FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL DUE TO INADEQUATE WELDING.
Show 2 more recalls
service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Campaign 04V493000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NON-RETURN VALVE MAY CRACK DUE TO A POOR WELD CAUSING A VACUUM LEAK.
equipment:other:labels
Campaign 03V284000CERTAIN 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on the specific model year, engine, and maintenance history.
Owner insights cover all generations of the S40. See the full S40 owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used S40 listings typically run $4,999–$6,999 across 2001 to 2011 model years.
Other S40 model years
Compare every S40 year side by side to see how 2004 ranks against the rest.
Compare the S40 against its rivals
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