KnownCarProblems2005 Volvo S40 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 69 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Volvo S40, most often about the fuel system (29% of complaints, typically around 84,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about S40 model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2005 Volvo S40 problems
Fuel system
20 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
The vehicle exhibited stalling and misfires the first time at 65 MPH. The check engine light (cel) came on and the diagnostic indication was that fuel pressure sensor needed replaced. It continued with stall and misfire at intermittent times with the cel staying on and off intermittently. I bought a fuel pressure…
The fuel control module failed, causing an immediate stall. There is a tsb concerning the placement of this module. It is to be moved from the engine compartment to behind the back seat. Water got into the module causing it to melt down!!!
Electrical
19 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles.
The vehicle exhibited stalling and misfires the first time at 65 MPH. The check engine light (cel) came on and the diagnostic indication was that fuel pressure sensor needed replaced. It continued with stall and misfire at intermittent times with the cel staying on and off intermittently. I bought a fuel pressure…
I was in the intersection ready to make a turn when the car suddenly stalled all the dash display lights went out all gauges stopped working and the windshield wipers would not go off when I tried to restart the car the dash suddenly displayed brake failure pull over safely, and immobilizer check manual and the car…
Engine
16 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Volvo S40. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle stalled while she was driving. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was repaired according to recall 08v033000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery:fuel pump) but the contact still experienced the…
Engine failure. Car stalled while driving on highway. Car was towed to wynn Volvo. Was told that the belts broke, leading to the breakage of the timing belt, located inside the engine, resulting in major damage to the engine. Was given a quote of $5600 to repair. The car has 63000 miles and the manual does say that…
Brakes
5 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles.
After letting the vehicle sit over night...when starting the vehicle in the morning there is no brake pressure after a half mile of driving. This happens everyday and this is a common problem with volvos. This problem could result in very serious problems and maybe even fatal to other Volvo owners who are not aware of…
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…
Visibility and wipers
5 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly, windshield wiper/washer, windshield.
Windshield wipers are ineffective. Dealer tried polishing the windshield, replacing the blades, and eventually replaced the windshield. We tried to increase the frequency of cleaning the blades. There was no improvement. Here is a link to a forum for the Volvo S40 t5 that shows that others are having the same problem.…
I was driving down the highway when there was a loud boom in my car that sounded like a gunshot. Glass then came down on and around me in my car. I pulled over as quickly as possible. It looks like the glass from my sunroof came up and out of my car. It did not appear as if anything hit it. There is a large gaping…
Air bags
5 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2005 Volvo S40. The contact stated that the passenger air bag off warning light illuminated with the passenger seat occupied. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who inspected the failure and advised that the air bag weight sensor needed to be replaced. The dealer was notified and advised that…
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…
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 4%I have been waiting for over 1 month for a new alternator for my 2005 S40 Volvo. I cannot get an answer from anyone in Volvo why it is taking so long. Of course, I can not drive the car I have been told by Volvo that 139 other Volvo owners are in the same condition. Please help.
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.
Seat belts
3 complaints · 4%The contact owns a 2005 Volvo S40. The contact stated the seat belt retractor in the rear has failed. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic shop who inspected the failure and stated the seat belt retractor assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure…
[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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Volvo S40 recalls
Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)
Risk: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
Fix: Volvo advises owners to please stop using the garmin portable GPS device immediately, and visit the garmin website to determine if their unit is affected. The unit's battery will be replaced with a new battery and a spacer will be inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866-957-1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.
Full defect summary
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: If this occurs, the check engine light may illuminate. In some cases, the vehicle may fail to start or may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the pem and install it in a new location to prevent corrosion. The recall began on february 20, 2008. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Full defect summary
On certain vehicles sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, reoccurring, long-term exposure to certain environmental conditions such as salty-wet conditions, it is possible for the pump electronic module (pem) to become corroded internally. This can cause a faulty signal to the fuel pump, resulting in low or no fuel pressure to the engine.
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: This may potentially result in fuel line leakage. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will change the fuel line material to teflon free of charge. The recall began on june 5, 2006. Owners may contact volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with t5 turbo engines, the polyamide tube in the fuel line is sensitive to the extreme temperatures that may occur in the area where the turbo/exhaust manifold is located.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2005 Volvo S40
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Volvo S40?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (20 complaints, typically around 84,000 miles); electrical (19 complaints, typically around 83,500 miles); engine (16 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Volvo S40 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 8, 2010 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Volvo S40?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about S40 model year since 2000, with 69 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.