no report yet
Fuel system, gasoline
Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
2003 Volvo S40Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 18 owner complaints about the 2003 Volvo S40, most often about the power train. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 7, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 Volvo S40 has problems
18 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
6Power train
3Electrical system
2Vehicle speed control
2Fuel system, gasoline
2Suspension
2Tires
1Engine and engine cooling
1Equipment
1Engine
11 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 6 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 |
| 1 other systems | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2003 Volvo S40 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volvo.
Best & worst years
2003 vs. every other S40 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the S40 median. How we score
'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2003 Volvo S40 safety ratings
2003 Volvo S40 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What S40 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
PRIOR TO LATEST INCIDENT, THE CAR HAD OCCASIONALLY GONE INTO "LIMP" MODE, STICKING IN 3RD GEAR BUT DRIVABLE. THAT PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY AFTER A DAY OR SO. LOCAL SHOP COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING DEFINITIVE. BIGGER PROBLEM WAS YESTERDAY EVENING'S LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL AND MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES.…
MY 2003 VOLVO S40 HAS BEEN DRIVEN FEWER THAN 70,000 MILES. ALL VOLVO RECOMMENDED SERVICE HAS BEEN PERFORMED BY CERTIFIED MECHANICS AND IS DOCUMENTED. MY VOLVO DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT IS NOT AT ALL REASONABLE TO HAVE A CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT ONLY…
MY 2003 S40 HAS BEEN SLIPPING GEAR BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR AND OCASSIONAL HARD SHIFT BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 49000 MILES. I HAVE GONE TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID, THERE IS NO SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE TCM (TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE)AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST $800. THIS…
Own a 2003 S40?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.