2005 Volvo S40N
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Volvo › S40N › 2005
These records cover every 2005 Volvo S40N. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
12 complaints
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Latest complaints
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Started car when parked in parking space, and car went forward when shift lever was in reverse. moved shift lever through 'gears' to reverse two more times. three times car moved forward when lever was in reverse. turned off engine and re-started car, then car would go backwards when in reverse. *Jb
- Electrical system › Starter assembly
I own the 2005 S40. this IS the second time in 2.5 months that my car has just decided not to start. the first time, it had just been serviced and I drove about 20 minutes to a gas station, shut off the engine and then it would not start. after a few tries it decided to start. I took it…
I own the 2005 S40. this IS the second time in 2.5 months that my car has just decided not to start. the first time, it had just been serviced and I drove about 20 minutes to a gas station, shut off the engine and then it would not start. after a few tries it decided to start. I took it immediately back to dealer and they kept it for a day and said nothing wrong. In the mean times, a few days before the nst time the car failed to start, I thought I smelled something fire-like smoky, but figured must be my imagination. so the second time, I parked the car after driving about 45 minutes and the car would not restart. I did not continue to try to start it, because I want the dealer to see what it does and had it towed there. They said it could be a key malfunction or something wrong with the starter. I did find a recall on the 2005 S80 that seems to fit the description of my problems. I wonder if the S40 has the same starter problems as the S80. my car has been in repair for 2 days now. *Nm
- Service brakes, hydraulic
Three attempts have been made so far to correct a brake problem. we are currently working on having the car services a fourth time in the course of 6 months, my car has been in the shop a total of three weeks. *nm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors
Two issues: 1) car stalled on the 495 beltway and check engine light lit and car would not start. A volvo temporary sw fix was applied to the computer to fix 2) oem license plate bolts on the front of car a very sharp and can cause harm to persons and property
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
On the 2005 volvo S40 T5 automatic only, the brake pedal IS dangerously close to the gas pedal. in fact, a size 9 shoe of medium width will barely fit on the gas pedal while touching the brake pedal. in addition, the brake pedal IS about 1.5 inches higher than the gas pedal so many times the foot…
On the 2005 volvo S40 T5 automatic only, the brake pedal IS dangerously close to the gas pedal. in fact, a size 9 shoe of medium width will barely fit on the gas pedal while touching the brake pedal. in addition, the brake pedal IS about 1.5 inches higher than the gas pedal so many times the foot will be caught under the pedal. this IS a highly dangerous design and IS a safety issue. other drivers have reported this but volvo IS not willing to retrofit the pedals. please note that the non-t5 version does not suffer from this bad design nor does the manual transmission. this safety defect, if not corrected, will cause an accident for drivers of this specific car. on july 27, I almost got in an accident because my foot got stuck under the brake pedal. while I was able to avoid a collision with another car and almost crashing onto the sidewalk, I strongly believe that many accidents can be avoided if volvo was to redesign or retrofit the spacing of the gas and brake pedals on the volvo S40 T5 automatic transmissions. please inspect the spacing of the pedals as they are not in compliance with minimum standards. *Jb
- Engine and engine cooling
When attempting to start vehicle in the morning the first try results in loud shaking and shuttering. sounds like car IS not running on all cylinders, or has bad timing. inital problem IS that hood insulator fasteners are comming off which could come in contact with accessory drive belt and casue…
When attempting to start vehicle in the morning the first try results in loud shaking and shuttering. sounds like car IS not running on all cylinders, or has bad timing. inital problem IS that hood insulator fasteners are comming off which could come in contact with accessory drive belt and casue engine failure. vehicle has been brought to dealer two times. dealer said that the problem could not be duplicated. problem occurs at least once every two days.
- Structure
2005 volvo S40 has a wide metal joint/band abutting the rear glass pane and the roof on either side of the car. this obstructs the driver's view of approaching rear traffic.*mr *nm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Accelerator pedal IS too close to brake pedal; possible interfernce when wearing certain shoes. *nm
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
Seperation between accelerator pedal and brake pedal IS too close. I constantly touch the brake pedal as I accelerate.*ak
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal · Visibility › Windshield
I own a 2005 volvo S40 2.4I that was purchased in december 2004. The issue IS the separation of the accelerator and brake pedals as well as the separation of the brake pedal/arm and the transmission tunnel, which provides overall clearance for the right foot. They are too close together and while…
I own a 2005 volvo S40 2.4I that was purchased in december 2004. The issue IS the separation of the accelerator and brake pedals as well as the separation of the brake pedal/arm and the transmission tunnel, which provides overall clearance for the right foot. They are too close together and while driving, my foot tends to hit the brake pedal slighty when I want to push on the accelerator. in addition to this, the windshield IS quite easily chipped. I have 4000 miles on my car and there are already 9 chips in the windshield. My parents have more than 150,000 miles on two different cars and only two chips in one of the windshields. this IS not a defect but more of a quality issue. Could you look into this as well. Thank you.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages · Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
I own a 2005 volvo S40 and the gas pedal and brake pedal are too close together. this has caused an issue with my foot catching the brake from behind as I move my foot from the gas to the brake. and if I need to brake immediately and my foot hangs up this could cause a major accident.*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
The consumer stated that the distance between the brake pedal and the tunnel was 5.1 inches which did not leave enough room for his foot to maneuver. the consumer felt that this was a design defect. *ak (volvo S40 2005) *sc *jb
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10249191This is a Technical Journal: 12V Battery Testing Method
- 10241661Complimentary upgrade c00009 description.
- 10241651Rubber cushion
- 10219421Engine Control Module (EMS) Software (MSW) Information August 2022; Improvement List (Change Log) - US21+OBD22 (13L VGT, TC) And US17+OBD22 (11L) Emissions
- 10213885The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as products and repair methods evolve.
- 10213883ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations
- 10213882Battery Charger/maintainer requirement
- 10212892Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
- 10212891VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
- 10088374Warranty, customer pay and/or internal repairs performed must be verified by a punched time flag on the back of the repair order hard copy. Each repair line must have a separate and identifiable time punch for the respective repair for all repair types, i.e., warranty, customer pay, and internal.
- 10087107This IS a service product journal : the previously reported issue with vida 2015 and battery testing has been resolved. Vida 2015 battery testing IS the only approved method for producing battery test codes. The use of vida classic or other measuring tools IS not considered acceptable when submitting warranty claims.
- 10037240Volvo: the ABS light IS on with four possible toruble codes.
- 10030359Volvo: leakage detection diagnostics improvements to remedy dtc's. All models from model years 2003-2008. Diagnostic monitor for the evaporative emission system small leak, has used a software function that calculates leakage based on a pressure inferred from the current consumed by an electric pump that pumps air into the fuel tank system.
- 10025688Vibration during acceleration front wheel drive (FWD) only. A vibration, especially while in 2ND or 3RD gear, at an engine speed between 1000 and 2000 rpm. May be worse in a heavily loaded vehicle or while driving uphill with a heavily loaded vehicle.
- 10022699New technical courses available. Introduction to tire pressure monitoring systems - classes now available. This course IS intended to familiarize technicians and workshop foremen with volvo's tire pressure monitoring systems.
- 10019642Front seats, play in lower part of backrest/adjust. Updated on 08-02-07.
- 10019394Diagnostic trouble code 640A signal too low.
- 1001877516 inch front brakes, squealing noise. New front brake pad and a larger brake caliper retainer have been introduced in production for vehicles with 16 inch brakes.
- 10016702Service campaign 147A inspecting and greasing a-pillar cable harness connector. Volvo V50 2004
- 10016701Alternator; noisy. To include volvo V50 2004
- 10016655Outer rear seat belt, locked retractor. To include 2004 V50.
- 10016095Service campaign 147-software upgrade-certain model year 2004.5 S40 and 2005 S40 & V50
Every Volvo S40N model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.