The Lemon Index
200520072nd generation
Not enough data. Only 18 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
18 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Infiniti M35 1152006 Cadillac STS 1542006 Lexus LS
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 13 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? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Volvo sent dealers 162 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent electrical door functions and/or a/c performance”?
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 18 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 42K miles (8K to 68K km) on the car (13 of all 18 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.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 10.9M views · 2004–2011 Volvo S40
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical687K views
How to remove Radio / CD Changer / from Volvo S40 2006 for repair.HiTechElectronic · 222K views · 5 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring546K views
2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 Volvo S40 Maintenance Light Reset (Book Maintenance Service Required)Skyhook Studios · 540K views · 2 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door439K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2008 Volvo S40 | AQ1101Filterheads · 388K views · 3 videos - Cooling system383K views
Volvo P1 Timing Belt and Water Pump Replacement DIY - (C30, C70, S40, & V50) 2005-2013* RNC EngineFCP Euro · 367K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Steering & suspension223K views
How To Replace Lower Control Arm 2005-2012 Volvo S40TRQ · 53K views · 6 videos - Oil changes & service126K views
2006 Volvo s40 Oil ChangeRich Ryan · 109K views · 3 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x499K views
How To Replace Axle Shaft 2005-2012 Volvo S40TRQ · 58K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter94K views
Complete Clutch and Transmission Replacement - P1 2007 Volvo S40 2.4i M56 FWDOut Of Scope · 66K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Volvo S40 Sedan 2nd Generation 2005-20121A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 279K views
Volvo S40 / V50 buyers guide (2004-2012) Avoid buying a broken Volvo (reliability 1.8 2.0D D4 D5 T5)The Miles Driven · 120K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2006 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 162 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent electrical door functions and/or a/c performance
- Intermittent electrical door functions
- When going over bumps or on an uneven road there may be a knocking or rattling noise from the…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- 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.
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–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 5-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl.
Every Volvo S40 year. 2006 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 2006 Volvo S40 reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 18 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2006 Volvo S40 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (28%), electrical (28%) and brakes (22%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Volvo S40 have?
3 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 2006 Volvo S40 get?
20 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2006 Volvo S40 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2006 Volvo S40 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,250 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Volvo S40 have?
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