2010 Volvo S40 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2010 Volvo S40 has a Complaint Index of 17, the second-lowest among 7 model years, and earns a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 9 complaints, 2 recalls, and 1 crash, with no fires or injuries reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 17/100
- #6 of 7 S40 years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 9
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 20.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2010 Volvo S40 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags2 (22%)
- Structure & Body2 (22%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (22%)
- Electrical System1 (11%)
- Other1 (11%)
- Seat Belts1 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (11%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during a crash despite the vehicle sustaining a significant impact, which owners linked to intermittent electrical wiring problems.
- Seat belt buckles stick and require repeated pushing and wiggling to release, a problem owners say has worsened over time on all belts in the car.
- A tire pressure sensor valve stem separated while adding air, causing forceful air loss and raising concerns about recurrence.
- The gear shifter became stuck in neutral and would not shift from reverse to drive, with no warning light illuminating beforehand.
- Windshield adhesive and seal failed along the top edge, causing the glass to shake and rattle over bumps.
- The SRS warning light illuminated on the dashboard, indicating the airbag system was not functional.
2010 Volvo S40 recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V591000Nov 22, 2010Structure & Body7,420 vehicles
Seats
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].
- 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.
2010 Volvo S40 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2010 compared with other S40 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Volvo S40 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 S40 ranks well among its 7 model years, with a Complaint Index of 17 and a Best verdict, ranking 6th worst (meaning 2nd best) overall.
- What problems does the 2010 Volvo S40 have?
- NHTSA lists 9 complaints for 2010, spread across airbags, structure and body, visibility and wipers, electrical, seat belts, suspension, and transmission, each accounting for a small share of total complaints.
- Does the 2010 Volvo S40 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for front power passenger seat rails that could let the seat move beyond its intended stop, and one for Garmin 760 GPS units with batteries that may overheat. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- What year Volvo S40 should I avoid?
- Among the 7 model years covered, 2007 has the highest Complaint Index at 100 and an Avoid verdict, followed by 2005 at 83, also rated Avoid. The 2010 model year is not one to avoid.
- How does the 2010 S40 compare to the 2011 S40?
- The 2011 S40 has a lower Complaint Index of 0 and fewer complaints (5) than the 2010 model's 9 complaints and Complaint Index of 17, though both carry a Best verdict.