The Lemon Index
20031st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,383 in the U.S. in 2002 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 16 complaints in its first 3 years.
16 owner complaints, first 3 years 22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Jaguar X-Type 1082002 Volvo S802002 Acura TL 303
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 6 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 03V284000 (equipment) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Volvo sent dealers 157 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Technical Journal TITLE : The Error Frame Finder (EFF) can be an aid in fault tracing…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Volvo's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 16 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 72K miles (8K to 117K km) on the car (6 of all 16 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The horn failed to function properly when horn button was pressed from the left side. The horn did not work at times or excessive force was needed.
2002 Volvo S40 owner · NHTSA complaint 10042382
More owner reports
Aniti-lock brakes are not working properly, do not grab like they should and click. Contacted dealer. This was common problem.
NHTSA complaint 8018066
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 3.9M views · 2000–2004 Volvo S40
Most-watched topics
- Fuel pump, filter & tank249K views
2003 Volvo S40 Fuel Filter ReplacementTom K · 141K views · 2 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors193K views
2001 Volvo S40 1.9T Quick Drive, 0-75 @ 3/4 Throttle ( After Tuneup ) - 153KIntechdude300 · 87K views · 4 videos - Starter, alternator & belts109K views
2000 thru 2011- and Newer Volvo S40 Serpentine Belt Replacement Step By Step $save$Zero Fuel Required · 70K views · 2 videos - Steering & suspension107K views
How to Replace the Front Struts on a 2004 Volvo S40How to Automotive · 48K views · 4 videos
Show 3 more
- Cooling system77K views
Tutorial: Change Thermostat and Coolant on a 2000 Volvo S40nukem384 · 46K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door53K views
2002 Volvo S40 Fixing fan blower motor resistor So EASY!Tundra Guy · 53K views - Infotainment, battery & electrical36K views
2001 Volvo S40 A/c Compressor fuse issue (fixed)Olfen O · 27K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
2004 Volvo s40 starting problemsLuis300zx · 40K views
Volvo Idle Problems 2002 S40Property Preservation HUB · 31K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2002 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Volvo told dealers about
Volvo sent dealers 157 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Technical Journal TITLE : The Error Frame Finder (EFF) can be an aid in fault tracing…
- The diagnosis of front and rear oxygen sensors can prove difficult since the operation of the…
- Transmission control module (tcm) upgrades available to correct complaints/symptoms
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Equipment · recall issued 2003
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 CERTA…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.9L 4-cyl.
Every Volvo S40 year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Show 2 older years (2000–2001, YouTube reviews only, no complaint data)
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 10 Volvo S40 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Volvo S40 reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,383 were sold in the U.S. in 2002 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 16 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2002 Volvo S40 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (19%), electrical (19%) and airbags (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Volvo S40 have?
1 safety recall (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Volvo S40 get?
22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2002 Volvo S40 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Volvo S40 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Volvo S40 have?
1.9L 4-cyl.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works