2005 Volvo S40 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Volvo S40 has a complaint index of 83, the second-worst of the 7 model years with data, and carries an Avoid verdict. Owners reported fuel system, electrical, and engine problems most often, with a median failure mileage of 76,500 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 83/100
- #2 of 7 S40 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 69
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2005 Volvo S40 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System20 (29%)
- Electrical System19 (28%)
- Engine17 (25%)
- Airbags5 (7%)
- Brakes5 (7%)
- Other5 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (7%)
- Structure & Body4 (6%)
- Seat Belts3 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Fuel control module fails and causes the engine to stall unexpectedly, sometimes traced to water intrusion melting the module.
- Engine check light comes on with stalling or hesitation during acceleration or at highway speed, worsening over months of driving.
- Oil trap housing fails more than once, with owners reporting repeat repairs at different mileage intervals.
- Radio and CD player blank out and lose sound randomly, requiring the car to sit before it works again.
- Windshield wipers fail to clear the glass effectively even after blade and windshield replacement.
- Airbags did not deploy in a head-on crash into a tree.
2005 Volvo S40 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V566000Nov 8, 2010Other416 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
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.
- NHTSA 08V033000Jan 28, 2008Fuel System23,000 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
- NHTSA 06V137000Apr 24, 2006Fuel System16,175 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
2005 Volvo S40 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other S40 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Volvo S40 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 S40 ranks second-worst among the 7 model years with data, with a complaint index of 83 and an Avoid verdict.
- What problems does the 2005 Volvo S40 have?
- Owners most often reported fuel system issues (29% of complaints), followed by electrical system problems (28%) and engine problems (25%), with a median failure mileage of 76,500 miles.
- Does the 2005 Volvo S40 have a fuel system recall?
- Yes, two of the three recalls affecting this year cover the fuel system, including a 2006 recall for a turbo-sensitive fuel line and a 2008 recall for the fuel pump module.
- How does the 2005 S40 compare to later years?
- The 2005 S40 has a complaint index of 83, much higher than the 2010 and 2011 model years, which both earn a Best verdict with complaint indexes of 17 and 0.
- Were there any crashes linked to 2005 S40 complaints?
- NHTSA data lists 2 crashes and 1 injury among the 69 complaints filed for the 2005 S40, with no reported fires or deaths.