2010 Volvo S40 Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.4L 5-cyl FWD · 20 city / 31 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Volvo S40 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2010 Volvo S40. The part named most often is air bags, with 2 complaints (22% of the total), followed by body and structure (2) and visibility (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 76,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 154 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Body and structure complaints overlap with 3 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.
- Air bags2 22%
- Body and structure2 22%
- Electrical system1 11%
- Other or unknown1 11%
- Seat belts1 11%
- Wheels1 11%
Example complaints
Air bags: “I got into a car accident today. The electrical wiring is constantly giving out and I had no idea my airbags wouldn't work until today when they did not deploy. My car hit the other car enough to move it several feet and no airbags.”
NHTSA complaint #11569920, filed 2024-02Body and structure: “I was driving 65mph on highway 101, just south of willits, california, when my sunroof exploded. I heard a loud explosion sound and immediately pulled over to figure out what just happened. I could see that my sunroof was mostly gone and there was pieces of glass falling on me. I called my husband to help calm me down, as my heart was racing and I was shaking. I put my hazards on an pulled over a little more for safety. Just then I noticed a man walking toward me from further up the highway. I got out of the car and could hear the conversation that the man was having while on his phone. …”
NHTSA complaint #11375719, filed 2020-11, 100,100 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The adhesive and seal on the entire top of my windshield has failed. The glass is shaking while driving and rattles severely if a small bump is driven over on the road. This is a huge safety concern since my window could break or fall off at any given moment.”
NHTSA complaint #11469496, filed 2022-06Mileage when problems were reported
25% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 74,000 and 78,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 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.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S40 · sedan FWD/AWD | not rated | 4 / 5 | — | — | 4 · 11.1% risk |
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 2010 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S40 AWD | 2.5L 5-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,050 |
| S40 AWD | 2.5L 5-cyl | 6-speed manual | 20 | 27 | 22 | $3,050 |
| S40 FWD | 2.4L 5-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 20 | 31 | 24 | $2,800 |
| S40 FWD | 2.4L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| S40 FWD | 2.5L 5-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
| S40 FWD | 2.5L 5-cyl | 6-speed manual | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
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
- 10V591000Nov 22, 2010SeatsCovers: Volvo S40 2009–2011, V50 2009–2011, XC60 2010–2011 +1 more
Volvo is recalling certain passenger vehicles equipped with power front passenger seats. The front seat rail's detection system was manufactured incorrectly and may permit the passenger to forward the seat beyond the intended maximum.
- 10V566000Nov 8, 2010Equipment › Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)Covers: Volvo S40 2004–2010, S80 2000–2010, V70 2001–2010 +6 more
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Recall details for the 2010 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.
- 11032678Apr 23, 2026Engine. This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle…
- 11032671Apr 7, 2026Other or unknown. This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. This TJ will be regularily updated as items are added…
- 11027173Dec 6, 2025Other or unknown. This is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.
- 11020437Apr 10, 2025Exterior lighting. This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session: •Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated…
- 11016002Feb 21, 2025Other or unknown. Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles. Volvo Car Investigations…
- 11015994Feb 13, 2025Other or unknown. Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles. Volvo Car Investigations…
- 11014113Jan 16, 2025Other or unknown. This is a Technical Journal: Vehicle/Connectivity report checklist. To provide timely and high-quality feedback to the appropriate department or factory
- 11014112Jan 16, 2025Exterior lighting. This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session: •Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated…
- 11007925Aug 14, 2024Electrical system. Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service
- 10249191Jan 12, 2024Electrical system. This is a Technical Journal: 12V Battery Testing Method
Other model years of the Volvo S40
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 5 | 99,500 | 2 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 9 | 76,000 | 2 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 10 | 65,000 | 3 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 16 | 75,265 | 2 | — | 23 | — | Falling |
| 2007 | 25 | 57,500 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 58 | 75,000 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 69 | 76,500 | 3 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 48 | 64,000 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 18 | 85,106 | 2 | — | 22 | — | Falling |
| 2002 | 27 | 45,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 84 | 67,000 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 122 | 73,458 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Volvo S40 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Volvo S40 have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2010 Volvo S40 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2010 Volvo S40 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 2 complaints (22% of the total), followed by body and structure with 2.
Has the 2010 Volvo S40 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Volvo S40 get?
The EPA rates the 2010 Volvo S40 (S40 FWD, 2.4L 5-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 20 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Volvo S40 reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 76,000 miles and the middle half falls between 74,000 and 78,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. 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.