2004 Volvo S40 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 4%of 48 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 140,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Volvo S40, 4% of the 48 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 140,000 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.
“The issue of no headlights (low-bulb failure) is dangerous & expensive. Nor is there a viable permanent repair as the low-bulb failure always re-occurs & has been an ongoing problem for me since my car was new. Suddenly having no headlights causes a serious & immediate safety issue for occupants of the car & for oncoming traffic who can't see a car without headlights. It can be 1 headlight or both that fail without warning; leaving no time to bring a vehicle to a stop safely. …”
NHTSA complaint #10940120, filed 2017-01, 140,000 miles“2004 Volvo S40 experiencing problems with the rear tail light assembly. The left rear tail light assembly was intermittent. At night there would be no rear tail lights. The right front park light and the yellow side marker light had gone out as well. The dealer replaced the cem. The vehicle's battery lasted 8 months.”
NHTSA complaint #10126887, filed 2005-06Related service bulletins
- 11020437Apr 10, 2025This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session: •Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the…
- 11014112Jan 16, 2025This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session: •Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the…
- 10155199Jan 17, 2019Technical Journal TITLE : Headlamp , Leak Test REF NO : ISSUING DEPARTMENT : CAR MARKET : United States TJ 17076 Technical Service PARTNER : ISSUE DATE : 3 US 7510 Volvo Cars…
- 10128164Oct 25, 2017Title BLIS fault tracing . Status Released Status 2012 - Ref No US25788.1.1 en - US Date 04 - 16 Issue 2012 - Issuer - Date 01 - 19 Vida Partner 3 US 7510 Volvo Cars North…
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Volvo S40
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsEngine
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 31, 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