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 81 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Volvo S40, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 11 | 14% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 12% |
| Fuel system | 7 | 9% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 6% |
| Visibility | 5 | 6% |
| Engine | 4 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 5% |
| Air bags | 3 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact's wife owns a 2005 Volvo S40. The contact stated the vehicle was difficult to start for several days. Eventually, the failure progressed and the vehicle was not able to start. The check engine warning light
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The drivers seat belt does not lock/latch in properly. Everytime I enter the vehicle I reach for my seat belt and buckle myself, well so I thought I did. When I insert the belt it seems as though its buckles however once
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
I WAS TOLD BY SHOP THAT WORK ON MY CAR THAT WERE A RECALL ON THE PVC VAUL ON THE 2005 VOLV S40 2.4. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
MY VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE IM DRIVING IT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND WAS ADVISED ITS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THIS IS AN KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND WAS PROVIDED A NHTSA
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
2005 VOLVO S40 ENGINE AIR CONDITIONING MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST BEGUN THE CAR WOULD BE COOL AT START THEN GET WARM UNTIL ONE DAY THE AIR CONDITIONING JUST QUIT WORKING. I READ ON THIS FORUM AUTHORIZED VOLVO
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE CARPET WAS SATURATED WITH WATER AFTER A RAIN STORM. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE CAR STARTS MISSING THEN STALLS OUT AFTER ABOUT 30MILES OF DRIVING IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF CROSSING A 4 LANE AND WAS ABOUT HIT.IT IS THE PEM THEY HAD RECALLS ON THEM BUT NOT MY CAR FOR SOME REASON
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 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.
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 11 of them (14%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) 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 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 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 66/100. 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.