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2004 Volvo S40 problems

The most common problem on the 2004 Volvo S40 is brakes, typically around 42,000 miles. It has 1.9 times the complaints of a typical S40 model year.

Typical year1.9x the typical complaints
Year score
46/100
Owner complaints
48
Recalls
6
Service bulletins
239
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
22-23mpg

The worst 2004 Volvo S40 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    12
  • Airbags
    11
  • Electrical
    11
  • Fuel system
    8
  • Engine
    7
  • Acceleration
    4
  • Steering
    4
  • Body
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Locks
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Volvo S40

Check engine light 8Stalling 8Airbag light 7

Recalls 6

Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)Reported November 8, 2010 · 416 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Risk
An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 10V566000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported January 28, 2008 · 23,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
If this occurs, the check engine light may illuminate. In some cases, the vehicle may fail to start or may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 08V033000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasolineReported April 24, 2006 · 16,175 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This may potentially result in fuel line leakage. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 06V137000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported October 14, 2004 · 1,719 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, the non-return valve may crack due to a poor weld causing a vacuum leak.
Risk
If this occurs, more brake pedal force may be required to stop the vehicle and/or may experience a rough engine idle, which could result in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the vacuum hose. The recall began on november 29, 2004. Owners should contact volvo cars at 1‑800‑458‑1552.

Recall number 04V493000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasolineReported October 24, 2003 · 15,067 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain sedans and station wagons, there may be a fuel leak from the fuel rail due to inadequate welding.
Risk
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install a v-clamp to the fuel rail. Owner notification began on january 28, 2004. Owners should contact volvo at 1‑800‑458‑1552.

Recall number 03V424000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported August 1, 2003 · 220,407 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain 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.
Risk
This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Remedy
Owners will receive a letter/package consisting of the second isofix guide with installation instructions, and in certain cases, the corrected owner's manual may be provided. If the owner wants to take their vehicle to a volvo dealer for installation of the guide, it will be performed at no charge to the owner. Owner notification began on december 19, 2003. Owners should contact volvo at 1‑800‑458‑1552.

Recall number 03V284000 · Recall details

See all 6 recalls for the 2004 Volvo S40

Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Volvo S40 239

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 239 bulletins for the 2004 Volvo S40

2004 Volvo S40 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 5‑cylFWD192823
1.9L 4‑cylFWD192722
2.4L 5‑cylFWD192822

What 2004 Volvo S40 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 8, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 123,713 miles · NM

Having a coolant leakage, crash mode and safety alarm system check keeps coming on...when crash mode comes on...car just shuts off.

Filed Oct 1, 2019 · Tires · 145,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo s40 equipped with cooper zeon rs3-a tires, size: 205/55/16r (na). The contact heard a loud humming noise coming from the tires. The inside of the tread had a line and the contact noticed damage or an opening. An independent mechanic confirmed that the tires were separating at the tread line. An unknown tire dealer stated that the tires were not under warranty after the tires had been owned for over three years. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle failure mileage was 145,000. The tire failure mileage and VIN were unknown.

Filed Jun 7, 2018 · Airbags · 140,000 miles · NC

No collision. Srs light has been coming on since 2007. Dealership has replaced wiring, air bags and nothing helps. Srs light comes on every 7 to 12 months. This has been going on for 11 years.

Filed Apr 10, 2018 · Electrical, Suspension · CA

The key does not turn all the way to turn the ignition - it's locked after turning I and ii (not to iii). I had to have the car towed. I could have been stranded in an unsafe area. I called volvo customer service, but I was told it's not under warranty anymore. I went to youtube as to how I could fix it and found out quite a fee s40 owners have similar problems. I was told that the cost to fix this would run about $1000. I found a way to get around making it work by removing the steering cover, pull the ignition switch with a screw driver. Without the key on the ignition, it still poses a safety issues because what if the steering locks while I am driving? Another issue is the suspension: the car feel as if it's falling apart. Twice we spent over a thousand for each occurrence. I'm quite certain there have a few complaints on similar issues. I would appreciate it very much if you could keep me in the loop if issues come up on this make, model and year we still own and keep on driving. I almost forgot, one of the head lights does not and even simple replacing with one after a bulb, still does not work. I guess it needs a trip to the dealership for them to figure it out. After all, sudden headlight failure while driving at night, is a serious safety issue. Thank you in advance for considering to take my issues.

Filed Jan 6, 2017 · Lights · 140,000 miles · MA

The issue of no headlights (low-bulb failure) is dangerous & expensive. Nor is there a viable permanent repair as the "low-bulb failure" always re-occurs & has been an ongoing problem for me since my car was new. Suddenly having no headlights causes a serious & immediate safety issue for occupants of the car & for oncoming traffic who can't see a car without headlights. It can be 1 headlight or both that fail without warning; leaving no time to bring a vehicle to a stop safely. The experience is frightening & dangerous in those tense moments it takes to stop a moving car on the road without headlights. I have even been issued a violation ticket from the police for equipment failure despite numerous repair bills that I keep in the car. After repeated attempts at getting volvo to fix this issue, I reported the problem to the federal safety agency several years ago but was told there had not been enough complaints about the headlight failure problem to do anything. Now, years have gone by and I am still dealing with a car that is essentially a daytime only car as it is not safe to drive after dark due to the unpredictable loss of headlights. Each time the headlights fail I bring the car for service and every time the headlight fails again and again within weeks of the "repair". Repair cost are in the $500 range. There is no recourse for the repairs other than to try something new. It has become a problem that is widely known at repair shops; and aftermarket repair kits are now common because volvo has ignored the issue stating that there is not a problem to me. It is easy to find many car owners with the same issue and frustrations on the internet as well as suits brought against other auto manufacturers for the wide-scale failure of these useless, defective headlights. The federal safety agency should prohibit these headlights and force action for those responsible to address this known safety issue.

Filed Sep 23, 2016 · Brakes · 42,000 miles · VA

Brake pedal is too close to accelerator pedal. Whenever I operate the gas pedal, the side of my shoe also activates the brake. The problem is aggravated by the center tunnel carpet intruding on the minimal accelerator pedal space.

Filed Sep 5, 2016 · Electrical · WA

My vehicle doors lock up and can't be unlocked due to faulty locks. No way to get door or doors to unlock. Which can cause death if involved in a roll over, submerged, or any major accidents. It can be any door on the vehicle. On mine it's my rear passenger door which my child sits next too in her car seat. I've read many other volvos have this issue and very costly to repair. Volvo should be responsible as I have been told by a volvo dealer mechanic that these s40 are very known to have this issue. For my experience of this happening is just driving home and parking. Tried to get my daughter out and it would not unlock. The key faubourg, the power lock switch and tried pulling on handle and nothing unlocks this door. I read that the lock actuators are the cause or its the wiring harness. I also have this problem in the trunk. Only the kid napped cord works to get the trunk to open. Please get volvo to fix all there actuators before kids or adults get trapped and killed cause of their negligence

Filed Jun 22, 2016 · Fuel system · 104,000 miles · VA

Car is stalling out while driving down the road engine light came on when put on machine error given is fuel pressure. The fuel pressure was checked and was at correct pressure for the car. I have replaced fuel censer and car ran fine for 2 days then same issue with same error the fuel controller has a corroded pen I tried to call volvo they are telling me there is nothing they can do when I can clearly see the year make and model have had a recall for the exact issue that I am having with this car. The recall number in your system is 08v033000 I normally would just get the car fixed but this is a major issue it seems the location of the controller needs to be moved to prevent this from happening again. This is a car my 16 year old daughter drives so you can understand my concern with vovlo not wanting to correct this

Filed Nov 17, 2015 · Brakes, Fuel system · TX · crash · 1 injury

I got new car in nov 2003 of the year 2004 model. It feels like one has to put foot on brakes all the way to apply. It is progressively getting worse. In dec 2005, while existing from highway we meet an accident as it did not stop where it was suppose to stop. Volvo dealer top the break fluid during maintenance. But did not solve the problem. We got new brake pads from volvo dealer and changed along with brake discs in 2009. But, it did not solve the problem. In the morning, it will not break unless one has to put foot on pedal few times. Again in 2015 we got brake pads from other auto part shop of high quality but it does not solve the problem. In addition, I smell gas but could not locate any leak of fuel. Also, steering wheel is very hard and we took to volvo few times but it is the same.

Filed Feb 5, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo s40. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal became difficult to depress. Also, the contact mentioned that due to the proximity of the pedals, the brake pedal was inadvertently depressed when applying the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

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Compare the 2004 Volvo S40

Other model years

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Questions about the 2004 Volvo S40

Is the 2004 Volvo S40 reliable?

Owners have filed 48 complaints about the 2004 Volvo S40, 1.9 times a typical S40 model year.

What is the 2004 Volvo S40 year score?

The 2004 Volvo S40 scores 46 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volvo S40: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Volvo S40?

Brakes, with 12 complaints, typically around 42,000 miles. Next is airbags (11).

How many recalls does the 2004 Volvo S40 have?

6 recalls, covering equipment, fuel system, gasoline and service brakes, hydraulic.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Volvo S40 brakes?

Yes, 1 recall: 04V493000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Volvo S40 have bad brakes?

The Volvo S40 model years with the most brakes complaints are 2000 (52 complaints), 2001 (27 complaints) and 2004 (12 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Volvo S40 get?

Official estimates for the 2004 Volvo S40 range from 22 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 5-cyl, FWD) gets 19 city and 28 highway.

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