2005 Volvo S40: won't start

5 of the 69 complaints about the 2005 Volvo S40 describe won't start.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 7%
typical mileage: 84,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 9 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

2011
1
2008
1
2007
3
2006
3
2005
5
2004
1
2001
2
2000
2

What owners say

Filed May 12, 2017 · Electrical, Fuel system · 156,000 miles · MO

Fuel pump control module (pem) fails during wet conditions. Car will crank like normal but will not start. Let car dry out for a few days and then the car will run normal again.

Filed May 16, 2013 · Electrical · 84,000 miles · CA

I was in the intersection ready to make a turn when the car suddenly stalled all the dash display lights went out all gauges stopped working and the windshield wipers would not go off when I tried to restart the car the dash suddenly displayed brake failure pull over safely, and immobilizer check manual and the car would not start it had to be pushed across the intersection and it has been sitting in a parking lot since then waiting to be towed this has happened on 3 different occasions since I bought the vehicle this problem needs to be fixed at company expense each time I have been fortunate enough to be in a parking lot or a public street but on the last incident I would've been on the freeway. I hope some one will call or contact me to rectify this issue I love the volvo brand but going through this make not want to continue on with any other model.

Filed Nov 10, 2011 · Electrical · 66,500 miles · CA

Ignition switch malfunctioning. When you insert the key, which is an electronic key the message display will display "key error try again." when this happens the car will not start at all. Thus far repeatedly jiggling the key fob while in the switch, and/or turning on/off multiple times gets the system to eventually recognize the key. There are 2 keys to my car and this happens with both keys, so I know it isn't the key. I have researched this online and found it to be a common problem. This problem will let me remove the key, but the radio and interior lights stay on, and I can't lock the car. This happens sporadically, but on average once a week.

Filed Aug 9, 2011 · Electrical · 115,000 miles · NC

I own a 2005 volvo s40 t5 which I have enjoyed thus far. However every once in a while when you insert the key, which is an electronic key the message display will display "key error try again." when this happens the car will not start at all, nothing inside the car including the radio will work either. After 20 to 30 times trying to start the car the key will eventually start the car. There are 2 keys to my car and this happens with both keys, so I know it isn't the key. I have researched this online and found it to be a common problem. This happens sporadically for example it will happen several times over a week or so and then not happen for several months. It recently started about a week ago and has happened everyday since. It is embarrassing to be in such a nice car and it not start. Sometimes when this happens, in addition to the "key error try again" message the message display will also display messages including "brake failure, stop car safely" and "immobilizer see manual." the brakes are fine, because they work on the way home and work while this message is displayed. The computer in the car was reset and that seemed to help temporarily, but I believe it is an electrical problem since the car does not recognize the key. I would appreciate this matter being investigated and recalled if possible.

Filed Sep 5, 2010 · Electrical · 48,000 miles · CA

The starter control unit (scu) on my 2005 volvo s40 has ceased to function twice in the 5 years that I've had it (50,000 miles). Essentially, this means that the scu does not read the key (the car tells me I have a "key error"), and therefore the car shuts down completely and does not turn on (the steering locks, the car does not start, it is unusable). The first time it happened, it was under warranty, therefore it was fixed free of charge. It happened again last month, was diagnosed by the bill pearce (reno, nv) dealership as the same issue, and I was given a 50% discount on the repair. It is an issue that apparently many other 2005 volvo s40 owners have had (learned this through a simple internet search), but it is not recognized as an issue with volvo and is not a recall item. It is a software problem, not a wear and tear item or something that I can maintain and keep from happening. It should not be something that I have to pay several hundred dollars to fix. There is no warning when this is about to happen. The car works on minute and then doesn't the next. I have no way of knowing when it is going to happen, and was stuck 200 miles from a dealership the last time it happened. It can supposedly be fixed only by the dealership because it's needs the proper software download. Please look into this issue. I have a car that I can no longer trust and the dealerships don't recognize it as a legitimate issue. I have all the documentation to provide if necessary.