| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Volvo S40 repairs by problem area
Engine (30%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)
Brakes and Traction Control (7%)
Suspension and Steering (16%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (27%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (6%)
Other (5%)
Select a problem area
- Engine
- Transmission and Drivetrain
- Brakes and Traction Control
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical and Air Conditioning
- Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
- Other
Chart based on 497 repairs.
Volvo S40 electrical repair cost distribution
$2500+ (2%)
$1000 - $2499 (15%)
$500 - $999 (17%)
$100 - $499 (32%)
< $100 (35%)
Chart based on 117 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2011 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 227hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 55000 mi US $120 |
Had to replace the original car battery. |
| 37820 mi C $460 |
Battery and fuses replaced |
| 50000 mi US $100 |
One headlight failed; replaced both. |
2011 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 113hp 1.6L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD
| 806 mi | Reprogramming of engine control, fitting new rear window lift |
2010 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 227hp 2.5L I5 6-speed manual AWD
| 87000 mi US $750 |
A/C Compressor leaked |
2009 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 227hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 22500 mi | Replaced driver's side LED brake lamp under warranty |
| 47000 mi | Replaced AM receiver under warranty Car would not start after being parked in garage for 9 days. Dealer replaced battery under warranty. |
| 56500 mi | Reported battery drain, found that Satellite radio was causing discharge, updated Satellite radio software per Volvo and replaced battery. All done under warranty. |
| 122606 mi US $1106 |
Replaced AC compressor, compressor clutch worn |
| 123018 mi US $945 |
Replaced alternator |
2009 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
143-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 151000 mi £350 |
Steering Wheel Module software install. Genuine steering wheel module replaced. |
2008 Volvo S40
Engine not specified
| 40000 mi £500 |
No aircon and headlights kept blowing. |
2008 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 227hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 70100 mi US $675 |
Cracked Head light lense, Insurence paid for lense replacment. But bulb went out the next week and that was not covered and cost $425.00 |
| 101500 mi US $650 |
xenon headlight out + replaced broken side marker light |
| 123300 mi US $650 |
Replaced original alternator |
| 156000 mi US $1050 |
AC compressor replacment |
| 159000 mi US $1150 |
Middle stop light in the window out. Required special ordering of part and a full day in the shop, they had never changed one before. |
| 149000 mi US $549 |
Starter went out, Volvo shipped incorrect replacement had to wait and additional week for second replacement |
| 39000 mi | The screen readout said I had a problem with an immobilizer and needed to go to shop. Shop said it was only a battery problem and they replaced the battery under warranty. |
| 54100 mi US $700 |
Car was stalling and a/c kept shutting off |
2008 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 109hp 1.6L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD
| 48360 mi | Windows working badly, glass was diconnected from one side. |
| 66320 mi €40 |
No cold air. |
| 74400 mi €300 |
A/C condenser ruptured, a replacement was needed. Volvo payed for a part of the service. |
2008 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 34300 mi US $1100 |
Condensor |
| 71700 mi US $750 |
Replaced alarm/siren module and main car battery, due to failure in our 2011 Volvo S40, which irreparably damaged the main battery. Main car battery was less than 2 years old and replacement cost was $225. |
| 75000 mi US $1100 |
Typical problem with Volvo S40 AC compressors. Clutch on AC compressor was not engaging during warm weather due to inability of electromagnet to close the gap. Problem has been solved by others by removing the clutch (using special or self-made tools) and closing the gap by changing or removing shims. Others have used used "bread clips" or thin metal sheets on the outside of the clutch. Decided to ask the Volvo expert mechanic just replace the entire compressor on the 2008 (and identical problem on the 2011 S40). Compressor part was $740. Only charged couple hours of labor and had him change the serpentine belt while he was working on it. Solved the problem so hopefully another 75000 miles of AC. |
2007.5 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed manual FWD
| 21080 mi €2500 |
new ABS pump + ECU |
2007 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 15000 mi | Sirius unit kept freezing (locking onto a station and wouldn't change) Repaired under warranty. |
2007 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 63240 mi C $207 |
micro switch on to open the trunk died and needed to be replaced |
| 129000 mi US $700 |
AC Compressor/Clutch/ recharge |
| 98000 mi | I replaced both left and right brake bulb and Tail light bulbs (about 20 minutes), and wind shield wiper blades, preventive maintenance. |
| 105000 mi US $300 |
Leak at bottom side of condenser (passenger side) |
| 59000 mi US $1400 |
alarm module failure, battery replaced. software flash done. full 60,000 service completed. |
| 47500 mi US $100 |
Air conditioner compressor failed. Replaced under Volvo extended warranty with $100 deductible. Cost would have been $893 without extended warranty. |
| 52000 mi US $100 |
HVAC control panel working intermittently. Replaced under Volvo extended warranty with $100 deductible. Would have cost $1083 without warranty. |
2007 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed manual FWD
| 50840 mi | The generator was defective. An ugrade from 120 to 150A was installed. 85% of the cost was covered by the dealer. I paid around 150 dollar for the repair. |
| 78000 mi US $630 |
AC Condenser Replacement and System Recharge. |
2006 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 6-speed manual FWD
| 4000 mi | Climate Control System was blowing cold air out of the driver's side vents and warm air out of the passenger's side vents even though both sides were set to the same temperature. Climate Control System was still blowing cold air out of the driver's side vents and cold air out of the passenger's side vents upon pickup from the dealer after the original unsuccessful repair. Repair was successful this time via a dealer installed sof |
| 16000 mi | Erratic operation of power door locks and windows, from both the remote and the interior switches. Diagnosis: on previous dealer visit, new wire harnesses were installed into doors, however the required software flash had not been performed. |
| 22000 mi | Failure of all dashboard gauges (speedometer, tach, temp, oil pressure). Diagnosis: faulty DIMM. Service tech successfully re-flashed the DIMM but a new DIMM was ordered because testing revealed errors. The car was driveable after this shop visit. New DIMM controlling dashboard installed. Successful repair. Erratic operation of power door locks and windows, from both the remote and the interior switches. On this service visit, the wire harnesses to driver and passenger front doors were replaced, and new gold contacts installed to replace the tin contacts. |
| 31200 mi US $300 |
Electro-mechanical trunk lock shorted out and replaced. Long process to also diagnose wiring problem to the unit. Wire harness to trunk replaced. |
| 35200 mi US $100 |
A/C drains clogged. Condensation blowing out dashboard vents. Water in passenger compartment, carpets soaked. Electronic trunk latch activator handle replaced. This is the second time this problem has been addressed. In the first repair every part except the activator handle was replaced, but the problem reoccurred. |
| 39300 mi US $1300 |
Clogging and corrosion of A/C condenser to the point of failure with extensive water leakage into passenger compartment. Condenser removed, cleaned (extensive presence of mold) and re-installed. Carpets removed, cleaned, treated for mold. |
2006 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 6-speed manual AWD
| 136000 mi | Reversing lights would not turn on when transmission was in reverse. Diagnostics determined there is no fault with reverse switch or bulbs. Tech will need more time to find wiring issue. |
| 154000 mi US $150 |
Brief update on past and current problems: Reverse lights fixed by re-securing wiring from fuse box. |
| 32000 mi | Nav screen wouldn't pop up and would retract when accelerating. New screen put in. |
2006 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 103000 mi | air coinditioning would work for 10 minutes, then blow warm air. |
| 104200 mi US $915 |
Needed compressor replaced |
| 35000 mi | Passenger airbag sensor. |
| 43000 mi | Bad electrical connection in door caused malfunction of external temperature gauge |
2006 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 37000 mi | Car went in to "crash mode", and shut off the fuel pump! The steering wheel sensor erroneously sensed the car was in a crash with air bag deployment. Volvo dead lined the car and a new wiring harness was ordered and installed. |
| 63000 mi US $300 |
Siren(alarm) module failed, which also killed the battery. |
| 55000 mi US $325 |
Starter switch irregularly refused to move to start position |
2006 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 134hp 2.0L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD
| 96000 mi | Headlight bulb. |
| 102000 mi | Other headlight bulb. |
| 63000 mi £110 |
Alternator failed - replaced under warranty. Replacement battery also required. |
2006 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 70040 mi C $248 |
trunk lid kept unlocking. trunk switch was replaced. |
| 78000 mi C $425 |
A/C seals were leaking & replaced. A/C re-charged |
| 91840 mi C $275 |
Accelerator pedal sensor failure. Pedal & sensor kit was ordered and installed |
| 92140 mi C $500 |
battery would not charge - replaced battery |
| 13000 mi US $1200 |
Mechanic sprayed special chemical into intake vent to eliminate moldy smell in air conditioner. Was NOT charged extra for this, as we paid for everything else. Was also not charged for diagnosis code for check engine light. |
| 24000 mi | Sun roof switch failed to work in certain settings, Dealer Replaced Switch and Motor Control Unit for Sun Roof |
| 29000 mi | Drivers side door window switches intermittently failed to operate windows. Dealer replaced door harness. |
| 34000 mi | Fault light appeared on dash for Passenger Airbag. Dealer found Passenger Airbag Sensor fault, sensor replaced and computer reflashed. Fault light appeared on dash for Passenger Airbag. Dealer found Passenger Airbag Sensor fault, sensor replaced and computer reflashed. |
| 54600 mi | Right rear lock and window operated erratically several months. In and out of the shop. They repaced a sensor in the rear door, but did not fix the problem. A month later they repalced a sensor in the drivers door, fixed. |
| 61000 mi | Windows and locks inconsistent. This was second time in about 15 months. |
| 91800 mi US $1000 |
AC clutch was not working properly and needed to be replaced. Cost for this alone was $860. Replaced fuse for the power outlets (ie. cigarette lighters). Cost was $50 bucks for a fuse!! |
| 33000 mi | window and door lock switches on driver's side would intermittently not work, although the rest of the car would. |
2006 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed manual FWD
| 147000 mi US $248 |
Battery was slowly failing after ten years (it was the original battery) |
2005 Volvo S40
Engine not specified
| 116000 mi US $987 |
Alternator went out. Replaced with battery. Afterwards received deck error from CD player. |
2005 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 6-speed manual FWD
| 59000 mi US $110 |
6 CD changer center spindle broke, subsequently would not eject CD's, replaced entire CD changer with used unit. |
| 75000 mi US $1100 |
A/C was shorting out according to Dealer. A/C would intermittantly not blow cold. Dealer told me the whole unit needed to be repaired. $1100 repair at only 75,000 miles. |
| 81000 mi US $2350 |
$880 to repair CD Deck error. I did not replace. alternator needed to be replaced. $880. did not repalce. traded car for a new Nissan |
| 54000 mi US $125 |
Software patch installed to fix AC sometimes blowing hot and cold at same time. Problem has happened twice. |
| 60000 mi US $1214 |
Air conditioner compressor replaced. Also leak onto carpet caused by AC drain hosed fixed. |
| 105000 mi US $200 |
AC would work fine for about 15-20 minutes of driving, then start to pull in hot air from outside. Compressor clutch was repaired. |
2005 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 6-speed manual AWD
| 160000 mi | Replace failed alternator. |
| 89000 mi | AC Compressor Clutch replaced. |
| 103000 mi US $700 |
Battery was leaking, corroded battery and battery cables were replaced. |
| 111000 mi US $1400 |
Alternator failed, replaced Alternator failed, killed battery |
| 117400 mi US $400 |
Brake sensor replaced, reverse lights were intermittent. |
| alarm would go off in the middle of the night, over and over! |
2005 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 21700 mi | cd charger |
| 24800 mi | climate control reset |
| 45500 mi | Replaced windshield wiper washers |
| 6000 mi | Radio random lockups were repaired under warranty |
| 71000 mi | Airbag sensor was not working on the passenger seat. Dealer reset it and is working fine. |
| 41000 mi US $160 |
Trunk lock would not disengage, replaced trunk lock assembly. |
2005 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 13026 mi | CD Player Replaced under Warranty |
2005 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 124000 mi US $750 |
Alternator had to be replaced. |
| 87000 mi US $2000 |
Air conditioning cycles off after 10-15minutes |
| 61000 mi US $125 |
Wipers could not be turned off, gas gauge went to zero (after just filling the tank), SRS airbag light on, trunk lid open light on. Found loose/faulty electrical wire. |
2005 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed manual FWD
| 46500 mi | Alternator. |
| 52800 mi US $140 |
Symptom was power steering pump stopped working. Diagnostic codes and battery load test indicated failing battery. |
| 104160 mi C $300 |
Battery died and had to be replaced. |
| 79360 mi C $350 |
AC compressor clutch burnt. Squeaky accessory drive belt possibly due to missing engine splash guard. |
| 80000 mi US $3500 |
No AC. Replaced condenser. $1700. |
| 113500 mi US $900 |
Rear passenger taillight out. Replaced. |
| 120000 mi US $42 |
Replaced right headlight. |
2005 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
123-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 55800 mi €600 |
Replaced alternator. When sold the 'brake failure, engine stop' message still came up from time to time. Shop couldn't diagnose even with code. When it happened indicators and wipers wouldn't work or wouldn't turn off. Or the car wouldn't start for up to three days. |
2005 Volvo S40 4-door
5-cylinder automatic 2WD
| 31000 mi | Replaced faulty passenger airbag sensor. |
2004.5 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 218hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 178000 mi US $800 |
Replaced starter. |
| 201000 mi US $284 |
replaced driver's door module that controls door locks and window operation |
| 225200 mi US $420 |
replace compressor and clutch |
| 66000 mi US $230 |
AC compressor not turning on, no cold air. |
2004.5 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
168-horsepower 2.4L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 68000 mi | AC didnt blow cold after a recharge; new compressor. |
| 96000 mi | cd player doesn't eject. |
| 140000 mi US $1800 |
replaced CEM (central electronic module) |
2004.5 Volvo S40 4-door
turbocharged 5-cylinder automatic 2WD
| 43000 mi | Xenon lights needed leveling. |
2002 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 160hp 1.9L I4 5-speed automatic FWD
| 188600 mi US $60 |
HVAC resistor replaced. |
2001 Volvo S40 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 165hp 1.9L I4 5-speed automatic FWD
| 83080 mi C $185 |
Fuel gauge not giving correct reading - sending unit replace over 12 months ago at the dealer and problem recurred last year. Was actually harness to sending unit - replaced = all ok now. |
| 145000 mi US $650 |
Alternator worn out and replaced |
| 164000 mi US $125 |
needed new battery |
| 108000 mi US $140 |
bad antenna shaft........repaired, but still makes awful noise raising and lowering.... I'll never own a volvo again man..... |
| 126360 mi C $27 |
right front passenger side light bulb was replaced. |
| 132060 mi C $23 |
replaced left front headlight. |
| 132560 mi C $23 |
replaced right front headlight |
| 72000 mi US $165 |
BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS NOT WORKING, ELECTRICAL SHORT FOUND AND REPAIRED |
| 80000 mi US $160 |
Regulator needed to be fixed. |
2001 Volvo S40 4-door
4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| 63000 mi | Central locking system. |
| 63000 mi | The locking system was fixed (second attempt) by fitting a new part and now all works well again. |
See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans
See TrueDelta's information for all Volvo models.
