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2010 Volvo S40 problems

The most common problem on the 2010 Volvo S40 is airbags. It has fewer complaints than a typical S40 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
89/100
Owner complaints
9
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
154
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
22-24mpg

The worst 2010 Volvo S40 problems

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

  • Airbags
    2
  • Body
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Electrical
    1
  • Seat belts
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Airbags
    2
  • Body
    2
  • Visibility
    2
  • Electrical
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 2

SeatsReported November 22, 2010 · 7,420 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volvo is recalling certain passenger vehicles equipped with power front passenger seats. The front seat rail's detection system was manufactured incorrectly and may permit the passenger to forward the seat beyond the intended maximum.
Risk
Positioning of the seat beyond the intended maximum can cause increased risk of injury to the passenger in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the front power seat stops for both front seats for the presence of an "end stop" and repair the vehicles as necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on december 23, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1‑800‑458‑1552 or at [email protected].

Recall number 10V591000 · Recall details

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

See all 2 recalls for the 2010 Volvo S40

Technical service bulletins for the 2010 Volvo S40 154

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

See all 154 bulletins for the 2010 Volvo S40

2010 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‑cylFWD2129-3024
2.4L 5‑cylFWD20-2129-3124
2.5L 5‑cylAWD19-2027-2822

What 2010 Volvo S40 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 17, 2025 · Airbags · CA

Hello. The warning of the device is on the dashboard that the SRS is not functional

Filed Feb 5, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · NY · crash

I got into a car accident today. The electrical wiring is constantly giving out and I had no idea my airbags wouldn't work until today when they did not deploy. My car hit the other car enough to move it several feet and no airbags.

Filed Jun 15, 2022 · Visibility · GA

The adhesive and seal on the entire top of my windshield has failed. The glass is shaking while driving and rattles severely if a small bump is driven over on the road. This is a huge safety concern since my window could break or fall off at any given moment.

Filed Sep 2, 2021 · Visibility · NC

The windshield is coming unglued at the top center and right . I am concerned that the windshield could come out on the highway, I plan to contact a windshield shop and see if they can repair it.

Filed Nov 21, 2020 · Body · 100,100 miles · CA

I was driving 65mph on highway 101, just south of willits, california, when my sunroof exploded. I heard a loud explosion sound and immediately pulled over to figure out what just happened. I could see that my sunroof was mostly gone and there was pieces of glass falling on me. I called my husband to help calm me down, as my heart was racing and I was shaking. I put my hazards on an pulled over a little more for safety. Just then I noticed a man walking toward me from further up the highway. I got out of the car and could hear the conversation that the man was having while on his phone. When he hung up the phone, he stated the he called 911. The man explained that he was passing me and witnessed what looked like ice coming up out of my sunroof and it hit his car. The man was visibly upset, but could see that I was not at fault, and acted appropriately. The man said that the glass had chipped the car that he was driving. He appeared as surprised as I was about the situation. The man helped me to pick up the loose glass and the glass on my seats. He then suggested moving up the road a few hundred feet where he was pulled off, as the highway patrol were in route. The hp made sure there were no injuries and asked that we exchange insurance. We both took pictures, I gave my information to one of the chp officers and drove home. I immediately called my insurance company. When explaining what happened to the agent he stated that he had never heard of this happening, which prompted me to research "exploding windshields" and LED me to several articles on the matter. I am now responsible for not only fixing my car, but also the paint job on the car of gentleman who was passing me on the highway when it occurred.

Filed Oct 7, 2020 · Transmission · 74,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 volvo s40. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift from reverse to drive as the gear shifter was stuck in neutral. The contact was unaware of any warning lights illuminating. The dealer alan byers (1230 w genesee st, syracuse, ny 13204) was notified of the failure however, the vehicle was not towed to the dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The contact researched the failure online and found the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v255000 (steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was informed by the manufacturer that the recall could not be found in their system. The manufacturer recall number was: r227. The contact stated that the failure occurred a year ago, and was corrected by aaa roadside assistance. The failure mileage was 74,000.

Filed Nov 9, 2016 · Wheels · 78,000 miles · CT

I was prompted to add air to my front tire due to the low tire pressure light coming on. After I added air I attempted to put the tire valve cap back on the wheel and it began forcefully blowing out air. I attempted again to secure the cap and the valve stem sensor came out of the valve stem completely. This is a huge safety risk, and I am now concerned this could happen again. I urge volvo to honor the replacement of their faulty tire stem valves immediately

Filed Jul 31, 2016 · Body · 40,000 miles · VA

My husband and I both own 2010 volvos. Mine is s40, his xc60. We have both had leaks relating to faulty sunroof drain. Dealer repaired and replaced for my husband at no cost, but fought with me - because I am a woman - until my husband came with me to dealership. Even though they ultimately fixed the sunroof drain, there is still the stench of mold or mildew in my car. My husband also had a leak develop in his windshield. Dealer told him that there was a faulty coating on windshields this model year and they replaced his windshield at no cost. Just now, I was out driving, it started raining, and water started pouring in through my windshield. (luckily I was just arriving at my destination, and I was able to wait until the rain subsided before driving home, because there were multiple steady streams of water pouring on to me and the steering wheel when the rain was at its peak.) apparently my windshield has the same problem that my husband's had. I know there is already a class action lawsuit brewing about the leaky sunroof drain, and I see that there are hundreds of people online complaining about this. I also see that there are lots of people online complaining about the windshield leak. This is ridiculous. How can volvo knowingly let buyers of its cars drive around knowing that they are in danger of having rain pour in on them as they are driving? Or that the interiors of their cars will be soaked and polluted with mold and mildew? Is the federal safety agency going to do something about this????

Filed Jan 10, 2015 · Seat belts · MA

The seatbelt buckles stick when trying to eject. The buckle clasps have to be pushed down and wiggled a few times to unclasp. This is a serious safety issue because it's impossible to exit the car quickly. This is all belts in the car. This has happened since the car was new and has gotten worse.

Compare the 2010 Volvo S40

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Questions about the 2010 Volvo S40

Is the 2010 Volvo S40 reliable?

Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2010 Volvo S40, fewer than a typical S40 model year.

What is the 2010 Volvo S40 year score?

The 2010 Volvo S40 scores 89 out of 100 (good). 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 2010 Volvo S40?

Airbags, with 2 complaints. Next is body (2).

How many recalls does the 2010 Volvo S40 have?

2 recalls, covering seats and equipment.

What gas mileage does the 2010 Volvo S40 get?

Official estimates for the 2010 Volvo S40 range from 22 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 5-cyl, FWD) gets 21 city and 29-30 highway.

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