The 2002 Volvo S40 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 220,407 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
EQUIPMENT03V2840002003-08-01220,407 affected
Defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
Consequence
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. …
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2
2crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
2
SUSPENSION
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
1
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1
Total complaints34
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volvo s40. The contact inquired about getting her vehicle included in an open recall. The contact stated that there was a delay when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact also stated that she observed a fuel odor inside the vehicle and she was concerned of a…”
“I was driving on a main road and my brakes failed. It was determined that a brake line corroded through. It appears that the vehicle has a single master brake cylinder. I asked a volvo dealership about this, and they confirmed to me that the master brake cylinder is a single one. It is my…”
“While driving the right front and right rear coil springs broke and the front coil spring damaged the tire. Dealer stocks these expensive springs (both front and rear) in larger than normal amounts due to incidences of breakage. I feel that this was an early failure for this type and age of…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volvo s40. The contact stated that the brakes were applied while reversing and the pedal traveled to the floorboard abnormally. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic where the mechanic advised that there was a crack in the master cylinder. The master cylinder…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volvo s40. The contact stated that the brakes were applied while reversing and the pedal traveled to the floorboard abnormally. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic where the mechanic advised that there was a crack in the master cylinder. The master cylinder…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 volvo s40. While driving 30 mph the contact engaged the brakes when the vehicle in front of her slowed down causing a crash. The vehicle failed to slow down when the brakes were applied. The contact was not injured. A police report was filed. The contacts vehicle had…”
“Front end suspension isn't right,pulls when driving and there is a knocking items nhtsa 10016415 and 630879. Check engine has always been on 10003441. There is a clunking noise when shifting 10003398. There was never an accident these are just ongoing things and the suspension may cause an…”
“Front end suspension isn't right,pulls when driving and there is a knocking items nhtsa 10016415 and 630879. Check engine has always been on 10003441. There is a clunking noise when shifting 10003398. There was never an accident these are just ongoing things and the suspension may cause an…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Volvo S40 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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