Volvo V40 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 72 owner complaints and 5 safety recalls on file for the Volvo V40, across 6 model years (2000–2013). The 2000 model year has the most complaints (50). The most reported problem area overall is service brakes, hydraulic.
Volvo V40 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical V40 year: 2000, 2001. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2000 V40: 50 complaints, 1 recall
- 2001 V40: 11 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2004 V40: 4 complaints, 3 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Volvo V40 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 31 | 5 | 2 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Train | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Volvo V40 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 V40 | 1 | 0 | — | Unknown or Other | |
| 2004 V40 | 4 | 3 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2003 V40 | 2 | 2 | — | Seat Belts | |
| 2002 V40 | 4 | 1 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 2001 V40 | 11 | 2 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2000 V40 | 50 | 1 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Volvo: all Volvo models · Volvo VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo V40 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2000 (50), 2001 (11) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical V40 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Volvo V40?
Service Brakes, Hydraulic, with 31 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Volvo V40 have?
5 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.