Volvo · S40 · 2002
1
Recall
30
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2002 Volvo S40 has 1 recall and 30 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: service brakes, hydraulic (5 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2002 Volvo S40 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is service brakes, hydraulic with 5 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
Remedy Status
OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT GETTING HER VEHICLE INCLUDED IN AN OPEN RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DELAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE OBSERVED A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND SHE W...
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I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD AND MY BRAKES FAILED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A BRAKE LINE CORRODED THROUGH. IT APPEARS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A SINGLE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. I ASKED A VOLVO DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS, AND THEY CONFIRMED TO ME THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER IS A SINGLE O...
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WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND THE FRONT COIL SPRING DAMAGED THE TIRE. DEALER STOCKS THESE EXPENSIVE SPRINGS (BOTH FRONT AND REAR) IN LARGER THAN NORMAL AMOUNTS DUE TO INCIDENCES OF BREAKAGE. I FEEL THAT THIS WAS AN EARLY FAILURE FOR THIS TYP...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHILE REVERSING AND THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. ...
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S40. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER SLOWED DOWN CAUSING A CRASH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTAC...
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FRONT END SUSPENSION ISN'T RIGHT,PULLS WHEN DRIVING AND THERE IS A KNOCKING ITEMS NHTSA 10016415 AND 630879. CHECK ENGINE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON 10003441. THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING 10003398. THERE WAS NEVER AN ACCIDENT THESE ARE JUST ONGOING THINGS AND THE SUSPENSION MA...
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S40. THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN IT WAS STARTED BY THE CONTACT. THE WINTER WEATHER DRIVING WARNING INDICATOR ARROW AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE ...
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TYPES OF RECURRING ISSUES WITH VOLVO S40: HEADLIGHTS, DRIVER FRONT WINDOW MOTOR, EARLY BRAKE PAD WEAR. HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED 2-3 TIMES A YEAR AT CONSUMER'S COST. WHEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF VOLVO DEALER THEY REPORTED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY DUE TO LIGHTS BEING USED DU...
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BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE, VEHICLE HAD LESS THEN 40K MILES. *TR
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE 2002 VOLVO S40 HE TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND A THICK BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL AND FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND EXITED THE V...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 30 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2002 Volvo models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2002 Volvo S40 has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 30 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Volvo S40.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2002 Volvo S40.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2002 Volvo S40 are service brakes, hydraulic (5 reports), electrical system (4 reports), engine and engine cooling (4 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2002 Volvo S40. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.