2004 Volvo S40 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 10%of 48 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2004 Volvo S40, 10% of the 48 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“First occurrence about 87000 miles was traveling on freeway when car stalled. Started it back up and check engine light came on. Took vehicle to dealer and they installed new spark plug and wires. Stalled again at about 89000 miles and was told to bring back when check engine light came back on. Check engine light came on again and took vehicle in on saturday but store was remodeling and couldn't get me in. Took car in for 90000 mile service and check engine light was on. Was told that spark plugs were installed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10455940, filed 2012-04, 81,356 miles“The engine dies intermittently once every six months. This normally happens when making a right turn or slowing down. All of the warning lights in the dashboard light up. The gear must be put back in park, must turn off the ignition and then re-start again. The first time it happened, I thought it might have been a fluke, the second time I took it in they changed a valve in the engine, the third time they kept the car for 2 weeks and they changed the air compressor and positive/negative battery cables (they had a Volvo of north america technician come down). …”
NHTSA complaint #10133818, filed 2005-08“The contact owns a 2004 Volvo S40. While driving 50 MPH the check engine light illuminated on the instrument control panel, and then the vehicle stalled. After a period of waiting she was able to restart the vehicle. The Volvo manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 48,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10295636, filed 2009-12, 48,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Volvo S40. The contact stated the brake warning light would illuminate while driving at any speed, causing the vehicle to shut down. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times for the failure and the dealer reprogrammed the computer software each time. On a separate occasion, the failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer advised the computer module would need to be replaced. The manufacturer advised an inspector would assess the failure further. The contact was awaiting results. …”
NHTSA complaint #10328646, filed 2010-05, 36,000 miles“Multiple failures. Air bag system, problem starting and noise in steering. The vehicle also had an air condition problem. The air bag light illuminated on 3 occasions. The consumer stated the passenger seat was equipped with a device that weighed passengers to determine if the air bag should be activated.”
NHTSA complaint #10097709, filed 2004-10Related service bulletins
- 10219421Aug 29, 2022Engine Control Module (EMS) Software (MSW) Information â August 2022; Improvement List (Change Log) - US21+OBD22 (13L VGT, TC) And US17+OBD22 (11L) Emissions
- 10169030Oct 16, 2019This is a Technical Journal: Oil in cooling system. New cleaning method developed.
- 10157864Feb 9, 2019This is a Technical Journal: Oil in cooling system. New cleaning method developed.
- 10156257Feb 9, 2019This is a Technical Journal: Oil in cooling system. New cleaning method developed.
- 10148809Sep 27, 2017This is a Technical Journal: In case of complaint of Noise, some "tools" have been created to help you to do a better and more precise fault tracing
- 10026146Aug 27, 2008Volvo: extend warranty coverage for the engine management software (ems) on some model year 2003-2008 models. P-55 csc letter was received.
- 10026145Aug 27, 2008Volvo: extended warranty coverage for the engine management software (ems) on some model year 2003-2008 models. P-54 csc letter was received.
- 10026148Aug 1, 2008Volvo: 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.
- 10025687Jun 23, 2008Clunking during shifting and vibration through floor. S40 and v50 customers may complain of a clunking noise during shifting or when applying and releasing the accelerator pedal…
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Volvo S40
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Volvo S40
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology