2002 Volvo S40 recalls and problems

The 2002 Volvo S40 has 1 recall and 27 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is service brakes.

2002 Volvo S40
Photo: 2002 Volvo S40 by Jeremy from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2002 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 12 S40 model years — 6th most.

1recalls
27complaints
4crashes
0fires
2injuries
48,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

1 recall

Equipment

Aug 1, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V284000 · 220,407 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy & notes

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.

Volvo recall no. 124.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Service Brakes7
Electrical System5
Engine3
Exterior Lighting3
Suspension3
Air Bags2
Fuel System2
Power Train2
Visibility2
Seat Belts1

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2002: 2 complaints20022003: 5 complaints20032004: 1 complaints20042005: 8 complaints200582007: 5 complaints20072009: 1 complaints20092011: 2 complaints20112013: 2 complaints20132017: 1 complaints20171

2002 vs. other Volvo S40 years

2000: 122 complaints20001222001: 84 complaints20012002: 27 complaints20022003: 18 complaints20032004: 48 complaints20042005: 69 complaints20052006: 58 complaints20062007: 25 complaints20072008: 16 complaints20082009: 10 complaints20092010: 9 complaints20102011: 5 complaints20115

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2002. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2002 Volvo S40 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2002 Volvo S40, the latest from Aug 1, 2003 (equipment). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Volvo S40?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention service brakes (7), electrical system (5), engine (3). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.