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KLUNK
KLUNK

2005 Volvo S40

The Verdict

78 Solid Pick

The 2005 Volvo S40 has 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (35 complaints) and electrical (20 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 78/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Volvo S40, consider the 2011 model year which has 93% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2011 has 93% fewer complaints

View the 2011 Volvo S40 dashboard →

78

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2000474722133
2001202711234
200277862
200370248
200471117150
2005141020352
200610426181
200756752
200880440
200931132
201060201
201110400

By Category

Engine
35
Electrical
20
Body
14
Brakes
10
Transmission
2

By Severity

1
43
2
36
4
2

Worst Problems

Complaints

Engine 1

The contact's wife owns a 2005 Volvo S40. The contact stated the vehicle was difficult to start for several days. Eventually, the failure progressed and the vehicle was not able to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was repaired by the contact, a previous Volvo technician. The contact stated the failure was due to the pump electrical module being located out of the vehicle. The contact spoke with the dealer. The contact referenced The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

28mo ago
Body 2

The drivers seat belt does not lock/latch in properly. Everytime I enter the vehicle I reach for my seat belt and buckle myself, well so I thought I did. When I insert the belt it seems as though its buckles however once I start to drive the belt comes un done and it i always have to pull over to put it back on becsuse it locks the seat belt so I'm not able to just buckle back in.

34mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE HAD FAILED DUE TO RUSTING AND CORROSION. THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V033000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND HAD BEEN DRIVEN IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN THE PAST 6 YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

64mo ago
Engine 2

I WAS TOLD BY SHOP THAT WORK ON MY CAR THAT WERE A RECALL ON THE PVC VAUL ON THE 2005 VOLV S40 2.4. *TR

74mo ago
Engine 1

MY VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE IM DRIVING IT. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC 3 TIMES AND WAS ADVISED ITS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP. I WAS ALSO ADVISED THIS IS AN KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND WAS PROVIDED A NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 08V033000. *TR

74mo ago
Engine 2

2005 VOLVO S40 ENGINE AIR CONDITIONING MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST BEGUN THE CAR WOULD BE COOL AT START THEN GET WARM UNTIL ONE DAY THE AIR CONDITIONING JUST QUIT WORKING. I READ ON THIS FORUM AUTHORIZED VOLVO DEALERSHIP ADMITS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR/MAKE/MODEL. THE COMPRESSOR CLUTCH OR COMPRESSOR OR BOTH REQUIRED REPLACING. IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT [FILED 2018] HTTP://WWW.AUTOPARTSCLASS.COM/INDEX.PHP INCLUDES THE 2005 VOLVO S40 AIR CONDITIONING UNIT: [SEE BELOW] CONGRATULATIONS! YOUR 2005 VOLVO S40 IS INCLUDED IN THE FOLLOWING AUTO PARTS CASES: IN RE: INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTERS IN RE: AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS IN RE: ALTERNATORS IN RE: WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMS

84mo ago
Body 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE CARPET WAS SATURATED WITH WATER AFTER A RAIN STORM. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,506. *BF CONSUMER STATED THE FOAM IN ROOF OF CAR IS CRUMBLING AND ROOF SEAMS ARE NO LONGER INTACT.*JB

88mo ago
Engine 1

THE CAR STARTS MISSING THEN STALLS OUT AFTER ABOUT 30MILES OF DRIVING IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF CROSSING A 4 LANE AND WAS ABOUT HIT.IT IS THE PEM THEY HAD RECALLS ON THEM BUT NOT MY CAR FOR SOME REASON

97mo ago
Engine 2

EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR IT MISSES A LITTLE THEN IT JUST SHUTS DOWN LIKE IT'S NOT GETTING ANY FUEL THE CAR DON'T DIE JUST WON'T PULL OUT I TRIED TO CROSS A 4 LANE AND IT STALLED IN THE FIRST LANE AND I ABOUT GOT HIT IN THE SIDE IT ALSO DID IT ON THE INTERSTATE.IT IS VERY DANGEROUS I WAS TOLD IT'S THE ELECTRONIC FUEL MODULE,OR PEN AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT PART ALL OVER THE INTERNET BUT VOLVO SAID THERE WASN'T WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE WHY WOULD THE INTERNET SAY THERE WAS ON LIKE 5OR NOTRE WEBSITES

97mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON OPENING THE HOOD AND CHECKING THE ENGINE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRACTURE WAS ALONG THE TOP SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

103mo ago
Engine 2

CAR LOOSING POWER AND ENGINE MISSING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. FAILURE OF FUEL PRESSURE MONITOR.

104mo ago
Engine 2

CAR IS ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. IT HAS HAPPENED A HANDFUL OF TIMES WITHIN THE LAST MONTH. I WILL MAKE A TURN, LET OFF THE GAS PEDDLE AND THEN THE CAR WILL JUST JERK FORWARD REVVING UP THE RPMS AND ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN.

106mo ago
Engine 2

FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE (PEM) FAILS DURING WET CONDITIONS. CAR WILL CRANK LIKE NORMAL BUT WILL NOT START. LET CAR DRY OUT FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN THE CAR WILL RUN NORMAL AGAIN.

111mo ago
Engine 1

TAKATA RECALL. I HAD ENGINE STUTTERING AT HIGH SPEED. MY FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. I QUESTION WHY IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. # 07V226000 WHICH IS FOR THE SAME PART IN THE SAME ENGINE BUT IN 2004 S60 MODELS.

114mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO TURN AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING. THE BATTERY WAS TESTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

114mo ago
Electrical 2

[THIS IS A PREVENTATIVE COMPLAINT. NO INJURY SUSTAINED.] THIS CAR HAS A FAILED PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR THAT WHEN DEPRESSED ACTIVATES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAS A DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT THAT CLICKS AND THEN CAN BE PULLED OUT OF THE LOCKING HARNESS. THESE ITEMS ARE NOT RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURE BUT, IN MY OPINION, SHOULD BE FOR CUSTOMER SAFETY.

115mo ago
Electrical 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND ENTIRE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AS THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER, RADIO, HORN AND SUN ROOF FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN ACTIVATED. THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM, FRONT AXLES AND STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000.

124mo ago
Brakes 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT LET THE VEHICLE DECELERATE AND THEN SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V474000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

127mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V033000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

128mo ago
Electrical 1

INSERTED KEY IN IGNITION AND NOTHING HAPPENED. COMPUTER READS KEY ERROR TRY AGAIN. KEPT TRYING AND FINALLY STARTED. NEXT DAY SAME THING HAPPENED.

135mo ago

81 total

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