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Volvo S40Model year report

2009 Volvo S40 Problems

Complaints
10filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
65,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
23 mpgcombined, 2.4L 5-cyl FWD · 20 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Volvo S40 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2009 Volvo S40. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints (30% of the total), followed by other or unknown (2) and brakes (1). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 154 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 11 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “Replacement of cv joints- october 2018 my vehicle was diagnosed with leakage from the cv joints which splattered all underneath my vehicle. My vehicle only had 69,000 miles. The technician stated that they should not have been a problems with so few miles. He stated that my vehicle's steering would have been compromised if they had failed and cause damage to my engine. I travel 1 hour one daily to work. It could have caused a potential accident if it hadn't been diagnosed in time. It has been since then repaired.”

NHTSA complaint #11156048, filed 2018-12, 69,400 miles

Other or unknown: “Improper draining route which in result causes mold and damage to floor mats and seat cushions in rainy weather. Transmission fluid has higher acidity levels. Coolant regularly falls below minimum level required.”

NHTSA complaint #10984381, filed 2017-05, 80,000 miles

Brakes: “New 2009 Volvo S40 sedan brake fire 1. Vehicle was driven 3 miles from a high school parking lot to the owner's home. 2. There was a fire between the brake pad and the rotor in the rear passenger side wheel well. 3. The rotor, brake caliper and brake pads were replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10291072, filed 2009-11, 320 miles

Electrical system: “Headlight wiring- made an attempt to change light bulbs for headlamps. Covering around electrical wiring harness which connect to headlight crumbled in my hands and electrical wiring is exposed. Worries that this may be potential fire hazard to my vehicle and myself. My vehicle was stationary in my driveway.”

NHTSA complaint #11156046, filed 2018-12

Mileage when problems were reported

29% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 69,400 miles.

14%0–100%10–2514%25–5043%50–7529%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 65,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2009201320142201520162017201822021
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Volvo S40. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
S40 · sedan FWD/AWDnot rated4 / 5——4 · 11.1% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2009 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Volvo S40 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
S40 AWD2.5L 5-cyl5-speed automatic182621$3,200
S40 AWD2.5L 5-cyl6-speed manual172520$3,350
S40 FWD2.4L 5-cyl5-speed automatic203124$2,800
S40 FWD2.4L 5-cyl5-speed manual202823$2,900
S40 FWD2.5L 5-cyl6-speed manual192823$2,900
S40 FWD2.5L 5-cyl5-speed automatic192823$2,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2009 Volvo S40 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 154 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 154 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volvo S40

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2011599,5002—24—Not enough data
2010976,0002—24—Not enough data
20091065,0003—23—Not enough data
20081675,2652—23—Falling
20072557,5002—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20065875,0003—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20056976,5003—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20044864,0006—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20031885,1062—22—Falling
20022745,0001—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20018467,0002—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200012273,4581—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Volvo S40 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Volvo S40 have?

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2009 Volvo S40 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Volvo S40 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 3 complaints (30% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 2.

Has the 2009 Volvo S40 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Volvo S40 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Volvo S40 (S40 FWD, 2.4L 5-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Volvo S40 reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,000 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 69,400 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.