Total Complaints
27 filings
VOLVO S40 · model year
27 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2008VOLVOS40 carries 27 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 S40 is electrical system with 4 filings, followed by engine (4) and steering (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 28 investigation files overlapping the 2008 S40. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
27 filings
Crashes Reported
11 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| STEERING | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| AIR BAGS | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| VISIBILITY | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 1 |
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 1 |
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
VOLVO IS RECALLING MY 2008-2009 VEHICLES. A SECTION OF THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE WAS NOT PROPERLY VULCANIZED (CURED) AND DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE FAILS, A SUDDEN RUPTURE OF THE HOSE CAN OCCUR.
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.
The contact owns a 2008 Volvo S40. The contact stated while his spouse was driving 70 MPH, the moon roof exploded. The vehicle was driven back to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.
Mileage: 133,000
After buying the vehicle on 7/9/21, the car started having problems with the cooling system. I took it to a repair shop and they said the cooling system was overfilled. The air problem continued. I took it back to the dealership who said they fixed it but it continued. I contacted the prior Manufactuer service center who informed me the computer chip was recommended to be replaced when the dealer had it serviced but they declined, causing all the electrical and cooling issues. I called the dealer and they said they had the alarm disconnected also which was why the computer system wasn't working. The alarm system doesn't work and I have had to replace the key fob 3 times. I took it to another repair shop who diagnosed the following as permanent failure codes: 6 CEM codes, 1 ECM code, 6 SRS codes, 2 DIM codes, 11 CEM-HS codes, passenger and driver door codes, 4 climate control codes, 1EPS code, 4 SWM codes, DD11, all of which are safety hazards.
After buying the vehicle on 7/9/21, the car started having problems with the cooling system. I took it to a repair shop and they said the cooling system was overfilled. The air problem continued. I took it back to the dealership who said they fixed it but it continued. I contacted the prior Manufactuer service center who informed me the computer chip was recommended to be replaced when the dealer had it serviced but they declined, causing all the electrical and cooling issues. I called the dealer and they said they had the alarm disconnected also which was why the computer system wasn't working. The alarm system doesn't work and I have had to replace the key fob 3 times. I took it to another repair shop who diagnosed the following as permanent failure codes: 6 CEM codes, 1 ECM code, 6 SRS codes, 2 DIM codes, 11 CEM-HS codes, passenger and driver door codes, 4 climate control codes, 1EPS code, 4 SWM codes, DD11, all of which are safety hazards.
After buying the vehicle on 7/9/21, the car started having problems with the cooling system. I took it to a repair shop and they said the cooling system was overfilled. The air problem continued. I took it back to the dealership who said they fixed it but it continued. I contacted the prior Manufactuer service center who informed me the computer chip was recommended to be replaced when the dealer had it serviced but they declined, causing all the electrical and cooling issues. I called the dealer and they said they had the alarm disconnected also which was why the computer system wasn't working. The alarm system doesn't work and I have had to replace the key fob 3 times. I took it to another repair shop who diagnosed the following as permanent failure codes: 6 CEM codes, 1 ECM code, 6 SRS codes, 2 DIM codes, 11 CEM-HS codes, passenger and driver door codes, 4 climate control codes, 1EPS code, 4 SWM codes, DD11, all of which are safety hazards.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER EXITING A STORE AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STATED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND TRY AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE AND THEN TO AUTOBAHN VOLVO FORT WORTH (2910 WHITE SETTLEMENT RD, FORT WORTH, TX 76107) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A STEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULE FAILURE AND AN BATTERY FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S40. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 191,000.
Mileage: 191,000
THE AIR PUMP HAS A FAULTY SWITCH, STARTED RINGING WHEN I TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE MECHANIC SAYS THE SWITCH ISN'T SHUTTING OFF CORRECTLY.
Mileage: 75,265
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S40 EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL EXTREMECONTACT DWS TIRES, SIZE: 205/50/17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A SIDEWALL BLOW OUT AFTER DRIVING OVER GRAVEL IN THE ROAD. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION, BUMPER, AND ROCKER PANEL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DOT NUMBER, VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE, AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. *TR
2008 S40, CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK AND TURNED OFF WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS, NO PROBLEMS. CAME OUT OF THE STORE AND PLACED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND RECEIVED THIS ERROR MESSAGE, "TURN STEERING, TRY START AGAIN." PRIOR TO THIS, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY OPERABLE. REMOVED THE KEY AND INSERTED KEY INTO THE IGNITION AGAIN AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I NOTICED THE FOLLOWING: WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED TO 1 AND 2, ALL DASH LIGHT AND HEADLIGHTS COME ON. AT THREE, THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF, THE ARM REST BUTTONS GO OFF AND ONLY CHECK ENGINE STAYS ON. ONCE THE KEY IS RELEASED, ALL INDICATORS AND HEADLIGHTS COME BACK ON. OBD SHOWS NO CODES. TURNED THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY LEFT AND RIGHT, MESSAGE PERSISTS. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND I HAD A MINOR CHILD WITH ME IN THE SCORCHING HEAT. HAD THE CAR TOWED AND SURPRISINGLY THE INDIVIDUAL TOWING THE CAR WAS A MECHANIC FOR YEARS AND STATED THE WHEEL WAS NOT LOCKED AT ALL, AFTER MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AS WELL. THIS RAISES SOME SERIOUS SAFETY CO
Mileage: 69,000
2008 S40, CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK AND TURNED OFF WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS, NO PROBLEMS. CAME OUT OF THE STORE AND PLACED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND RECEIVED THIS ERROR MESSAGE, "TURN STEERING, TRY START AGAIN." PRIOR TO THIS, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY OPERABLE. REMOVED THE KEY AND INSERTED KEY INTO THE IGNITION AGAIN AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I NOTICED THE FOLLOWING: WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED TO 1 AND 2, ALL DASH LIGHT AND HEADLIGHTS COME ON. AT THREE, THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF, THE ARM REST BUTTONS GO OFF AND ONLY CHECK ENGINE STAYS ON. ONCE THE KEY IS RELEASED, ALL INDICATORS AND HEADLIGHTS COME BACK ON. OBD SHOWS NO CODES. TURNED THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY LEFT AND RIGHT, MESSAGE PERSISTS. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND I HAD A MINOR CHILD WITH ME IN THE SCORCHING HEAT. HAD THE CAR TOWED AND SURPRISINGLY THE INDIVIDUAL TOWING THE CAR WAS A MECHANIC FOR YEARS AND STATED THE WHEEL WAS NOT LOCKED AT ALL, AFTER MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AS WELL. THIS RAISES SOME SERIOUS SAFETY CO
Mileage: 69,000
2008 S40, CAR WAS PLACED IN PARK AND TURNED OFF WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS, NO PROBLEMS. CAME OUT OF THE STORE AND PLACED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION AND RECEIVED THIS ERROR MESSAGE, "TURN STEERING, TRY START AGAIN." PRIOR TO THIS, THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY OPERABLE. REMOVED THE KEY AND INSERTED KEY INTO THE IGNITION AGAIN AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I NOTICED THE FOLLOWING: WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED TO 1 AND 2, ALL DASH LIGHT AND HEADLIGHTS COME ON. AT THREE, THE HEADLIGHTS GO OFF, THE ARM REST BUTTONS GO OFF AND ONLY CHECK ENGINE STAYS ON. ONCE THE KEY IS RELEASED, ALL INDICATORS AND HEADLIGHTS COME BACK ON. OBD SHOWS NO CODES. TURNED THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY LEFT AND RIGHT, MESSAGE PERSISTS. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND I HAD A MINOR CHILD WITH ME IN THE SCORCHING HEAT. HAD THE CAR TOWED AND SURPRISINGLY THE INDIVIDUAL TOWING THE CAR WAS A MECHANIC FOR YEARS AND STATED THE WHEEL WAS NOT LOCKED AT ALL, AFTER MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AS WELL. THIS RAISES SOME SERIOUS SAFETY CO
Mileage: 69,000
I WAS GETTING IN MY CAR WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START (TURN STEERING WHEEL AND TRY TO START AGAIN). I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER 15 MINUTES, I DECIDED IT WAS TOO HOT WITH MY CHILDREN OUTSIDE SO I WENT INSIDE. I CHECKED AN HOUR LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR HOURS LATER AFTER MOVING THE STEERING COLUMN UP AND DOWN QUICKLY AND HARSHLY. THIS MORNING, I WAS GETTING IN THE CAR WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN, THE CAR WOULD NOT START (TURN STEERING WHEEL AND TRY TO START AGAIN). I MOVED THE STEERING COLUMN AS SUGGESTED BY MY HUSBAND, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. LUCKILY WE WERE HOME AND WERE NOT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER.
I WAS GETTING IN MY CAR WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START (TURN STEERING WHEEL AND TRY TO START AGAIN). I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER 15 MINUTES, I DECIDED IT WAS TOO HOT WITH MY CHILDREN OUTSIDE SO I WENT INSIDE. I CHECKED AN HOUR LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR HOURS LATER AFTER MOVING THE STEERING COLUMN UP AND DOWN QUICKLY AND HARSHLY. THIS MORNING, I WAS GETTING IN THE CAR WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN, THE CAR WOULD NOT START (TURN STEERING WHEEL AND TRY TO START AGAIN). I MOVED THE STEERING COLUMN AS SUGGESTED BY MY HUSBAND, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. LUCKILY WE WERE HOME AND WERE NOT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH TWO YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS LEAKING WATER INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT WATER MAY HAVE STOPPED THE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Mileage: 73,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS LEAKING WATER INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT WATER MAY HAVE STOPPED THE AIR BAGS FROM DEPLOYING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Mileage: 73,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL TRAP AND VENTILATION HOSE WERE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE, AND THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THE FAILURE WAS IN THE OIL TRAP AND VENTILATION HOSE IN THE ENGINE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN RTJ-19745 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), WHICH EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR AFFECTED VEHICLES; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,800.
Mileage: 77,800
I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN ROUTE AT NIGHT AROUND 730 AND A CAR WAS TRYING TO GET IN MY LINE AND I ASSUME THEY DID NOT SEE ME. I TRIED TO MOVE TO THE LEFT TO GET OUT OF THE WAY BUT MY STEERING WHEEL WAS SO TIGHT I COULD NOT VEER AWAY FROM THE CURB. DUE TO THIS I HAVE NUMEROUS REPAIRS THAT NEED TO BE PAID AND MY POWER STEERING WAS TIGHT FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, IT WAS ALMOST HARD FOR A STRONG MAN TO TURN THE WHEEL. I TRIED POWER STEERING FLUID WHEN I STARTED TO NOTICE THE PROBLEM AND IT DID NOT HELP. *TR
Mileage: 79,000
I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN ROUTE AT NIGHT AROUND 730 AND A CAR WAS TRYING TO GET IN MY LINE AND I ASSUME THEY DID NOT SEE ME. I TRIED TO MOVE TO THE LEFT TO GET OUT OF THE WAY BUT MY STEERING WHEEL WAS SO TIGHT I COULD NOT VEER AWAY FROM THE CURB. DUE TO THIS I HAVE NUMEROUS REPAIRS THAT NEED TO BE PAID AND MY POWER STEERING WAS TIGHT FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, IT WAS ALMOST HARD FOR A STRONG MAN TO TURN THE WHEEL. I TRIED POWER STEERING FLUID WHEN I STARTED TO NOTICE THE PROBLEM AND IT DID NOT HELP. *TR
Mileage: 79,000
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 VOLVO S40 STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN I WAS IN MAJOR/SEVERE REAR END COLLISION. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT (70+ MPH) PUSHED ME INTO A VEHICLE AHEAD WHICH CAUSED SEVERE FRONTAL DAMAGE THAT WENT ALL THE WAY PAST MY RADIATOR. PROPERTY DAMAGES OVER $17K AND AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN INJURIES. *TR
Mileage: 123,000
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 VOLVO S40 STOPPED IN TRAFFIC WHEN I WAS IN MAJOR/SEVERE REAR END COLLISION. THE FORCE OF THE IMPACT (70+ MPH) PUSHED ME INTO A VEHICLE AHEAD WHICH CAUSED SEVERE FRONTAL DAMAGE THAT WENT ALL THE WAY PAST MY RADIATOR. PROPERTY DAMAGES OVER $17K AND AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY RESULTING IN INJURIES. *TR
Mileage: 123,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.