The Lemon Index
2002
20041st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 13,058 in the U.S. in 2003 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 9 complaints in its first 3 years.
9 owner complaints, first 3 years 22 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Jaguar X-Type 1472003 Volvo S802003 Acura TL 271
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 03V424000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 03V284000 (equipment) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Volvo sent dealers 161 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The 5 speed automatic transmission, aw55-50/51, has a bolt on top that anchors the b4 band, which”?
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 9 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 →
In owners' words
2002 Volvo S40 experienced mechanical failure of the engine fuel line.
2003 Volvo S40 owner · NHTSA complaint 10033856
More owner reports
Consumer stated that banridge Volvo will not honor the recall dealing with the fuel rail. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership on 04/22/2004.
NHTSA complaint 10071409
Transmission slips from 2nd to 3rd from time to time. Additionally, the car shifts harshly from 3rd to 2nd gear.
NHTSA complaint 10016992
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 2003 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 161 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The 5 speed automatic transmission, aw55-50/51, has a bolt on top that anchors the b4 band, which
- VOLVO CARS SERVICE AND PARTS BUSINESS Service Manager Bulletin TITLE : The Volvo Replacement…
- 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 2
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS, THERE MAY BE A FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL DUE TO INADEQUATE WELDING.
- 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. 2003 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 2003 Volvo S40 reliable?
We can't score it: only 13,058 were sold in the U.S. in 2003 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2003 Volvo S40 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (33%), fuel system, gasoline (22%) and tires (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Volvo S40 have?
2 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Volvo S40 get?
22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2003 Volvo S40 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 33% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Volvo S40 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 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