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Electrical systemPart report

2006 Volvo S40 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
24about this part
Share
41%of 58 total for the year
Median mileage
74,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Volvo S40, 41% of the 58 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While driving down the road at approximately 50 MPH I noticed my dim ( driver information module) had completely stopped working. I was unable to read my speedometer, RPM, fuel level, and engine temperature while the car was still running . After researching this online, it appears that this seems to be a common problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10817742, filed 2016-01, 114,000 miles

“Water leaked into my vehicle through the sunroof, destroyed the computer and air airbag system. The carpets are soaked with standing water sitting in the body of the front passenger side of the vehicle. I took my vehicle to the dealership and was told the sunroof drainage tubes where clogged. I was then quoted a price for repairs which totaled in excess of $2000.00.”

NHTSA complaint #10681158, filed 2015-02, 90,000 miles

“My 2006 Volvo S40 has had numerous and intermittent electrical issues including gauges that go haywire, false airbag failure or brake failure messages, locks that don't engage or disengage and traction control that seems to stick or malfunction. On a few occasions the speedometer and RPM readout go completely dead while I'm going 70 miles per hour on the highway. …”

NHTSA complaint #10369485, filed 2010-12, 71,000 miles

“We had been experiencing rain showers on the way to work the Volvo twice had all the lights on the dash board light up but the car did not stall. I was afraid the air bag might deploy. As soon as I got home I had my husband check to see if he could locate the problem. He found was that the carpet was soaked on the drivers side .and the. Wiring running under the carpet was also wet. We have not moved the car and are trying to dry everything. It has also continued to rain off and on. …”

NHTSA complaint #10706210, filed 2015-04, 151,284 miles

“At least 5 times I have had the car in the Volvo dealership. The car without warning, powers down to 50%, the windshield wipers start up, all the gauges drop to zero position and ABS brake malfunction lights light up. If you pull over and stop, the car shuts down and you can not pull out the key. If I wait 15 minutes, the key can be turned off and you can restart the car. While the check engine light stays on, everything else is normal till the next time. It had done this 6 times in the last 6 months. …”

NHTSA complaint #10579076, filed 2014-04, 115,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2011480%
2010111%
2009110%
2008425%
2007520%
20062441%
20051928%
20041123%
2003317%
2002519%
20011012%
20001311%

Other parts of the 2006 Volvo S40

Fuel system
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2006 Volvo S40

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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