Volvo S40 2003
Model S40 made in 2003 by Volvo got 27 consumer complains there are 2 recalls as well as 14 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to digital instrument panel, electrical system and equipment. Technical service bulletines regarding air bags, electrical system and engine and engine cooling. There were some recalls concerningequipment, fuel system, gasoline. The car has one 1.9 turbo engine.
Model 2003
| Engine [L] | Cylinders | Transmission | Drive | Estimate MPG (city/highway/combined) | Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined) | Fuel | Fuel cost | Class | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 Turbo | 4 | Lockup/automatic, 5 gears | F | 22/30/25 | 23.9/37.9/28.6649 | Premium | 990 | COMPACT CARS |
Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQUIPMENT - OTHER - LABELS | ||||||||||||||||
| 03V284000 | VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. | from 09/01/2000 to 01/30/2003 | V (Vehicle) | 220407 | 12/19/2003 | OVSC | VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. | 08/01/2003 | 08/07/2003 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | This does not meet the requirements of the standard. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | 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). | |||||||||||||||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | ||||||||||||||||
| 03V424000 | VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. | from 05/07/2002 to 05/05/2003 | V (Vehicle) | 15067 | 01/28/2004 | MFR | VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. | 10/24/2003 | 10/30/2003 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain sedans and station wagons, there may be a fuel leak from the fuel rail due to inadequate welding. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Dealers will install a v-clamp to the fuel rail. owner notification began on january 28, 2004. owners should contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Volvo recall no. r128.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS - SIDE/WINDOW | |||||
| 8833 | 07/29/2003 | 10003400 | Moisture in b-pillar side impact sensor. *tt | 10/17/2003 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| 2515 | 07/31/2003 | 2515 | 10003441 | The diagnosis of front and rear oxygen sensors can prove difficult since the operation of the rear sensor can influence the operation of the front sensor. the sensors share common sources of potential faults but also have unique fault sour | 10/20/2003 |
| 3636 | 10/18/2002 | 10000303 | Remote locking logic. *tt | 02/21/2003 | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - SOFTWARE | |||||
| RTJ-16629 | 05/15/2009 | 10030359 | Volvo: 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 pr | 09/24/2009 | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
| SMB 28 200 | 08/01/2008 | 10026148 | Volvo: pzev (s40/v50) vehicles have extended warranty coverage for the engine manage ment software (ems) on some model year 2003-2008 models. pzev csc letter was received. *pe | 10/02/2008 | |
| 3658 | 05/01/2007 | 10022341 | Immobilizer warning lamp lit or flashing, immo-dtc 321. *kb | 08/02/2007 | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - AUXILLARY TANK | |||||
| 28-74 | 01/03/2008 | 28-74 | 10022612 | Leakage diagnostic function improvements to remedy dtc's. *kb updated 1/22/08. *nj updated 4/7/08. *nj | 09/12/2007 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY | |||||
| RTJ-16629 | 05/15/2009 | 10030359 | Volvo: 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 pr | 09/24/2009 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||||
| RTJ-21324 | 07/10/2009 | 10032425 | Volvo: the 5 speed automatic transmission, aw55-50/51, has a bolt on top that anchors the b4 band, which applies 3rd gear. if that bolt is removed, the band will be disengaged and 3rd gear will be inoperative. this includes c70 coupe and | 03/24/2010 | |
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) | |||||
| 4002 | 07/07/2006 | 10016434 | Transmission control module (tcm) upgrades available to correct complaints/symptoms. *tt | 09/12/2005 | |
| STRUCTURE - BODY - BUMPERS | |||||
| 820002 | 03/01/2003 | 10001490 | Converting the rear fender flange. *tt | 06/04/2003 | |
| SUSPENSION | |||||
| 6007 | 08/29/2003 | 10016415 | Front end pulls left or right (camber adjustment) *tt | 09/12/2005 | |
| TIRES | |||||
| 006 | 01/10/2006 | 10019023 | Winter tire applications. *tt | 02/09/2006 | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | |||||
| 6104 | 07/24/2003 | 10003398 | Clunking noise may be heard during gear changes between drive and reverse. *tt | 10/17/2003 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL | |||
| 12/09/2006 | 1 | 11/23/2006 | |
| Got a check engine light on and tried to get a full diagnostic test done, but the power control module was not communicating with vehicle. *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 02/09/2012 | 125000 | 1 | |
| I returned to my car and found that i could not turn the ignition switch and as a result of the security system my car was totally inoperative. the car had to be towed to the nearest dealer, where it was diagnosed with a broken ignition switch, specifically the device that reads the chip in the key has failed and will not accept any key. currently the car has been sitting at the dealer for over 4 weeks. because the keys and switches are matched we cannot get an after-market replacement switch. further, the parts are back ordered at the dealer, back ordered at volvo north america, back ordered at volvo in sweden, and they cannot even get me a date when the part might be available. as an reliability engineer, the ignition switch failure would be classified as a criticality 1, single point failure, in other words it results in loss of vehicle. there is no indication of pending failure, and no way to mitigate the problem if it occurs. you are stranded where ever the car was last parked. and worse, in this condition the car has no resale value, except maybe at a chop shop, so i cannot even trade it in for a new car. *tr | |||
| 02/09/2012 | 125000 | ||
| I returned to my car and found that i could not turn the ignition switch and as a result of the security system my car was totally inoperative. the car had to be towed to the nearest dealer, where it was diagnosed with a broken ignition switch, specifically the device that reads the chip in the key has failed and will not accept any key. currently the car has been sitting at the dealer for over 4 weeks. because the keys and switches are matched we cannot get an after-market replacement switch. further, the parts are back ordered at the dealer, back ordered at volvo north america, back ordered at volvo in sweden, and they cannot even get me a date when the part might be available. as an reliability engineer, the ignition switch failure would be classified as a criticality 1, single point failure, in other words it results in loss of vehicle. there is no indication of pending failure, and no way to mitigate the problem if it occurs. you are stranded where ever the car was last parked. and worse, in this condition the car has no resale value, except maybe at a chop shop, so i cannot even trade it in for a new car. | |||
| EQUIPMENT - OTHER - LABELS | |||
| 02/09/2004 | 1 | ||
| Consumer indicated that the isofix guide that the manufacturer sent for recall 03v284000 could not fix the problem. *ak | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM - FUEL RAIL | |||
| 07/19/2003 | 1 | 11/30/2002 | |
| 2002 volvo s40 experienced mechanical failure of the engine fuel line. *mr *cb | |||
| 04/22/2004 | 1 | ||
| Consumer stated that banridge volvo will not honor the recall dealing with the fuel rail. consumer took the vehicle to the dealership on 04/22/2004. *ak | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 12/02/2010 | 69650 | ||
| My 2003 volvo s40 has been driven fewer than 70,000 miles. all volvo recommended service has been performed by certified mechanics and is documented. my volvo dealer determined that the transmission had to be replaced. it is not at all reasonable to have a catastrophic transmission failure at only 70, 000 miles. i feel volvo should be responsible for at least the cost of the replacement transmission. in addition to the cost and inconvenience, this transmission failure presented a hazard that could have resulted in a serious accident. my volvo was being driven on a frontage road with the intention of entering a freeway. when the transmission started to slip, a right turn was made from the frontage road to a 4-lane road in an attempt to avoid high speed traffic. the transmission went to neutral during the turn and the volvo coasted to a stop just past the corner in the right lane of this busy road. fortunately, a police car was just a hundred feet away, saw the volvo stop in the traffic lane and pulled in behind the stopped volvo with lights flashing to warn oncoming traffic. only the proximity of the police car avoided being hit from the rear by vehicles traveling in the lane where the volvo stopped. the police called for a tow truck. i have determined that this type of transmission failure has been reported many times between 2003 and the present and feel it should be considered for a safety recall. | |||
| 12/10/2004 | 06/21/2003 | ||
| Transmission slips between gears 2nd and 3rd | |||
| 06/27/2003 | 4500 | 2 | 02/24/2003 |
| I am currently driving a 2003 volvo s40. it has been experiencing a transmission slip between 2nd and 3rd gears. i had taken the car back to the dealer for two times due to the above problem. the only thing they did was upgrading the program, which it did not help at all. the major problem is i almost got in a major accident on 6/27/2003 while i was making a left turn and the car lost power in the middle of the road. the on coming traffic barely missed running into my volvo. this transmission slipping usually last for 2 to 3 secs and this lost of power can put me into major accident easily. i asked volvo to take my car back, but they said they could not reproduce the problem while the car was in the shop, the turth is, the problem does not happen everyday. i am extremly mad that volvo does not care about the lifes of their customers. in fact, this is a know problem even volvo has a tech note for this. but i guess as long as they cannot reproduce the problem, they dont care even we are taking about potential major accidents here. please help. thanks.*ak | |||
| 05/01/2003 | 7000 | 1 | 04/28/2003 |
| Transmission slips from 2nd to 3rd from time to time. additionally, the car shifts harshly from 3rd to 2nd gear. *jb | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) | |||
| 03/01/2007 | 48000 | 02/01/2007 | |
| My 2003 s40 has been slipping gear between 3rd and 4th gear and ocassional hard shift between 2nd and 3rd gear. the car only has 49000 miles. i have gone to the dealer and they said, there is no software update for the tcm (transmission control module)and it needs to be replaced. cost $800. this gear slip makes driving very bothersome and dangerous on occasion. if you need to speed up to get out of the way, the slip causes the car to lose power. few seconds makes a difference between life and death. i have taken the car to another import repair shop and had them replace the tcm. which did not help the issue. then i took the car back to the dealer and asked to do another diagnostic to see if the tcm is the issue or not. they said, the tcm could not be functioning properly. they want me to replace the tcm through them and see if it will resolve the problem, otherwise it will be a transmission issue. i have researched on the web and through multiple forums, there have hundreds of issues related to tcm and transmission on these models. i do not understand how can a car have tcm or transmission issue with all it's factory recommended service done as scheduled. | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - SPRINGS - AIR SUSPENSION - LINES AND FITTINGS | |||
| 05/10/2003 | 1 | 05/10/2003 | |
| The following is a synopsis of original e-mail i sent to volvo cars of north america for your records. *ak ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- i finally had my 2003 volvo s40 serviced for excessive bumpy ride problem that ive complained about since the time i bought it from howard orloff in may 2003. im appalled to learn that folks at howard orloff left the spring spacers in place along the front suspension when they sold me the car; and after several complains (of which you folks have all the records of my e-mail communications) and ten months, volvo of lisle finally figured the issue out. i dont know what kind of damage this may have caused to my car for all these many months. as of writing this message, my car is dangerous and precarious more than ever. after almost little over a week of driving since i got my car back, the cars ride is worst than ever; the steering wheel has become extremely sensitive and does not afford control of the car; quite often dashboard icons flash as i hit even the slightest bump on the road; the rear right wheel seems to get airborne while the left front end stays dipped into the pavement. before volvo of lisle addressed the spring spacer problem, the cd-player kept skipping the track including the tuner mode changed from cd to tape or am/fm mode 3 or 4 times solely due to the car hitting a bump while driving. at this rate, im afraid it is going to cause more damage to tires, wheel rims, electrical system, engine and other interior and exterior components of my car. im definitely concerned and even scared about the safety of my family and myself along with others on the road when driving this car. in light of the same recurring problem, volvo should replace my car with a new one at no extra cost to me. i look forward to hearing from you by monday, april 12, 2004 or sooner. | |||
| TIRES | |||
| 02/12/2010 | 1 | ||
| Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) on feb 12, i had a periodic maintenance done at the dealership and they advised me that my tires were bad. i had only had the tires a short while so i brought the car to where i bought them (sears) and was advised that the tread was good but there was rot between the tread. the tires are bf goodrich traction t/a tires (my model p21550v16) and were sold nationwide by sears. bf goodrich did give me a 45% credit but i feel these tires are dangerous since i was told they could shred at any time (sounded like firestone all over again). bf goodrich no longer makes traction t/a tires but since the tires are 60,000 mile tires and i only got 35,000 on them and had them less than 3 years i thought your agency should investigate for a possible recall. many people could be driving around on them without knowing how dangerous and hazardous they are. i initially sent a letter to your agency using the address from the website but it came back as not enough information provided. i hope this email will be as effective. the tires were not cheap tires and they were properly inflated and rotated so i never thought they would last such a short time (i purchased them on 4/22/07). i expect other people will feel the same and may not be as lucky as me to find out that these tires are bad and extremely dangerous. i have also sent this information to the ri attorney general's office. any additional information that you require may be obtained by calling my cell at [xxx] *tr | |||
| 12/12/2003 | 1 | ||
| To whom it may concern:i would like to report a complaint that one of the michelin tires on my new volvo s40 (bought on jan 25, 2003: yv1vs29503f927344) blew out while i was driving to work. fortunately, i was not in an accident as i was driving at about 25mph. on the same day friday (dec 12, 03) i contacted the volvo dealer with a request to fix this problem. they refused to evaluate the tire and only told me to call michelin. on dec 15, 03, i called michelin and was told that valley forge tire and auto center was the closest certified michelin dealer in my area. i made an appointment with them and went that day. their representative told me that this tire was not faulty, and could not be covered under warranty. i had to replace the tire anyway because i was going to europe, and i needed the car to get to the airport in new jersey. (i was in pennsylvania at that time) after i returned from my vacation, i contacted an expert and was told that the blowout was the fault of the manufacturer because: 1. on the inside layer of the tire the rubber was peeling (the rubber was coming off of the tires like scales) 2. in another place also on the inside of the tire the white threads that make up the tire under the rubber were showing, i was told that the tire would have blown out in this point if not in the other. in this situation i would like to replace all four of my tires this week to goodyear. please advise me how you plan to deal with this situation. i bought a new car and specifically the volvo because i was planning to do a lot of driving this year and needed a safe and reliable car. i trusted volvos reputation for safety and reliability, but now i am very disappointed. maria flach. *ak | |||
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | |||
| 02/09/2012 | 125000 | ||
| I returned to my car and found that i could not turn the ignition switch and as a result of the security system my car was totally inoperative. the car had to be towed to the nearest dealer, where it was diagnosed with a broken ignition switch, specifically the device that reads the chip in the key has failed and will not accept any key. currently the car has been sitting at the dealer for over 4 weeks. because the keys and switches are matched we cannot get an after-market replacement switch. further, the parts are back ordered at the dealer, back ordered at volvo north america, back ordered at volvo in sweden, and they cannot even get me a date when the part might be available. as an reliability engineer, the ignition switch failure would be classified as a criticality 1, single point failure, in other words it results in loss of vehicle. there is no indication of pending failure, and no way to mitigate the problem if it occurs. you are stranded where ever the car was last parked. and worse, in this condition the car has no resale value, except maybe at a chop shop, so i cannot even trade it in for a new car. | |||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | |||
| 06/29/2012 | 94000 | ||
| Tl -the contact owns a 2003 volvo s40. the contact stated that while sitting at a traffic stop, the vehicle accelerated abnormally. the contact had his foot on the brake pedal and then had to shift into neutral to get the vehicle to slow down. the contact pulled the vehicle over, shut off and tried to restart the engine but it failed. the vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection but the cause of the failure was unknown. the manufacturer was notified and they informed the contact that there were no recalls for the failure. the failure mileage was 94,000. the vin was unavailable. kmj | |||
| 06/29/2012 | 94000 | ||
| Tl -the contact owns a 2003 volvo s40. the contact stated that while sitting at a stop light, the vehicle accelerated on its own. the contact had his foot on the brake pedal and then had to shift into neutral to get the vehicle to slow down. the contact pulled the vehicle over and tried to restart the engine but it failed. the vehicle was towed to a dealer for inspection but the cause of the failure is unknown. the manufacturer was notified and they informed that there were no known recalls for such failure. the failure mileage was 94,000. the vin was unavailable. ap | |||
Car dealers selling
| State | City | Zip | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IL | CHICAGO | 60622 | HOWARD ORLOFF | (773) 227-3200 |
| MN | MINNPEAPOLIS | BORTON VOLVO | ||
| NJ | HASBROUCK HEIGTS | 07604 | KUNDERT VOLVO | 2012888984 |
| NY | BROOKLYN | 11209 | BANRIDGE VOLVO | (718)833-7070 |
| TX | BROWNSVILLE | ENGLISH MOTORS INC. | ||
| WA | OLYMPIA | TOPPING VOLVO |