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Electrical systemPart report

2008 Volvo S40 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
25%of 16 total for the year
Median mileage
69,900miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Volvo S40, 25% of the 16 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,900 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

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.

“My serpentine belt broke on 6/6/2014 and was replaced. On 6/20/2014 I was driving about 60mph on the interstate in chicago, il when my vehicle stopped accelerating and eventually stopped. This nearly caused an accident on the interstate, but I was able to pull to the left shoulder before being struck. I had to have the vehicle towed to a shop where it was determined that when the serpentine belt broke, shards of that belt went in to the timing belt area. This is due to a flawed design on my make of Volvo. …”

NHTSA complaint #10605931, filed 2014-06, 69,900 miles

“2008 S40, car was placed in park and turned off while running errands, no problems. Came out of the store and placed the key into the ignition and received this error message, turn steering, try start again. Prior to this, the car was completely operable. Removed the key and inserted key into the ignition again and nothing happened. I noticed the following: when the key is turned to 1 and 2, all dash light and headlights come on. At three, the headlights go off, the arm rest buttons go off and only check engine stays on. Once the key is released, all indicators and headlights come back on. …”

NHTSA complaint #10761857, filed 2015-09, 69,000 miles

“After buying the vehicle on 7/9/21, the car started having problems with the cooling system. I took it to a repair shop and they said the cooling system was overfilled. The air problem continued. I took it back to the dealership who said they fixed it but it continued. I contacted the prior Manufactuer service center who informed me the computer chip was recommended to be replaced when the dealer had it serviced but they declined, causing all the electrical and cooling issues. …”

NHTSA complaint #11428519, filed 2021-08

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 2008 Volvo S40

Engine
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Volvo S40

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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