The Lemon Index
2003
20052nd generation
Not enough data. Only 12 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
12 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Cadillac STS2004 Jaguar X-Type 1802004 Volvo S80
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 7 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V566000 (equipment), 08V033000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 06V137000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- 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?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Volvo sent dealers 239 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent electrical door functions”?
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 12 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 10K to 51K miles (16K to 82K km) on the car (7 of all 12 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
2004 Volvo S40 experiencing problems with the rear tail light assembly.
2004 Volvo S40 owner · NHTSA complaint 10126887
More owner reports
Multiple failures. Air bag system, problem starting and noise in steering.
NHTSA complaint 10097709
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 2004 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 239 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent electrical door functions
- Park assist does not work; not possible to read dtc from pam via vida
- Title BLIS fault tracing
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2008
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHI…
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH T5 TURBO ENGINES, THE POLYAMIDE TUBE IN THE FUEL LINE IS SENSITIVE TO THE EXTREME TEMPERATURES THAT MAY OCCUR IN THE AREA WHERE THE TURBO/EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS LOCATED.
Show all 6 recalls
- Brakes · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NON-RETURN VALVE MAY CRACK DUE TO A POOR WELD CAUSING A VACUUM LEAK.
- 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 $3,250–$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, 2.4L 5-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl.
Every Volvo S40 year. 2004 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 2004 Volvo S40 reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 12 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2004 Volvo S40 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (67%), airbags (33%) and brakes (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Volvo S40 have?
6 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Volvo S40 get?
22 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2004 Volvo S40 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2004 Volvo S40 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,250 to $3,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Volvo S40 have?
1.9L 4-cyl, 2.4L 5-cyl, 2.5L 5-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