Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Volvo S40, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 7 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 10% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 6% |
| Steering | 3 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 4% |
| Engine | 2 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
HAVING A COOLANT LEAKAGE, CRASH MODE AND SAFETY ALARM SYSTEM CHECK KEEPS COMING ON...WHEN CRASH MODE COMES ON...CAR JUST SHUTS OFF.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Tires
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.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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. SUDDEN
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 VE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2004 Volvo S40. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Fix: 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 N
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.
Fix: 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.
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 DISTRI
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 39 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 7 of them (14%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.