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2011 Volvo S40Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 5 owner complaints about the 2011 Volvo S40, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

2011 Volvo S40
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints51 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage100kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 13, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2011 Volvo S40 has problems

5 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system41
Seats10
Structure10
Vehicle speed control10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2011 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

Structure: frame and members

Recall 11V-186 · Mar 18, 2011 · 7 vehicles

Risk. THE CRACK COULD HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE FRONT STRUCTURE AND MAY REDUCE THE CRASH PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seats

Recall 10V-591 · Nov 22, 2010 · 7,420 vehicles

Risk. POSITIONING OF THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

2011 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

2011 Volvo S40 safety ratings

2011 Volvo S40 4 DR AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 4 stars (11.1% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What S40 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Volvo S40. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 115,314. The contact stated that at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 350,000 on VIN…
Complaint 11699264 · Nov 13, 2025 · 350,000 miles
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH WHEN INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT COMPLETELY BLANK I HEARD A SIZZLING NOISE BEHIND THE DASH BOARD. I LOST THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE, LIGHT INDICATOR, BLINKER INDICATORS, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENTS YOU DEPEND ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SHUT…
Complaint 10954356 · Feb 13, 2017 · 69,000 miles
A COLD, WET, WINTERY MORNING; PULLED INTO COFFEE SHOP PARKING LOT, PARKED CAR, TURNED ENGINE OFF, REMOVED KEY, GOT OUT OF THE CAR, LOCKED DOORS, WENT INTO THE COFFEE SHOP. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, NOTHING LEFT ON IN THE CAR. WHILE WAITING FOR COFFEE GLANCED OUT COFFEE SHOP WINDOW. SAW THAT THE CAR…
Complaint 10837392 · Feb 21, 2016 · 130,000 miles

Own a 2011 S40?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.