2006 Volvo S40 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2006 Volvo S40 has 58 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 67, and ranks 3rd-worst of 7 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Electrical System problems dominate at 41% of complaints, with three recalls on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #3 of 7 S40 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 58
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2006 Volvo S40 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System24 (41%)
- Engine11 (19%)
- Fuel System9 (16%)
- Structure & Body9 (16%)
- Brakes7 (12%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (10%)
- Airbags4 (7%)
- Other3 (5%)
- HVAC1 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Electrical system faults appear during storms, with blinkers staying lit and instrument cluster gauges (speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge) going dark for several minutes along with ABS and airbag warning lights.
- Brakes squeal and lose power intermittently; one owner reported brake parts replaced four times with the noise returning each time, and another found front brakes 'disengaged' or 'partially functional' with no warning light on.
- Some owners describe the accelerator and brake pedal positioned too close together, which they say creates a risk of pressing both at once.
- Air conditioning blows hot air even when set cold, with one owner reporting twelve dealer visits that did not fix it.
- A driver side door failed to lock intermittently and hummed in warm weather, alongside a non-working front passenger speaker that needed multiple repair attempts.
- One owner reported a tire sidewall blowout at highway speed that caused loss of control and a spin off the road.
2006 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.
2006 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.
2006 compared with other S40 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Volvo S40 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 58 complaints and a complaint index of 67 for the 2006 S40, ranking it 3rd-worst among 7 model years tracked, with a Caution verdict.
- What is the most common problem with the 2006 Volvo S40?
- Electrical System issues are the top problem area, accounting for 24 complaints, or 41% of all complaints filed, with a median failure mileage of 74,500.
- Does the 2006 Volvo S40 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists three recalls: a GPS battery overheating issue, a fuel system PEM corrosion fix, and a fuel line material change on turbo engines.
- How does the 2006 S40 compare to other S40 years?
- The 2006 model's complaint index of 67 is better than 2005 (83) and 2007 (100), both rated Avoid, but worse than 2009, 2010, and 2011, which rate Good or Best.