The Lemon Index
20092nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 2,984 in the U.S. in 2011 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 1 complaint in its first 3 years.
1 owner complaint, first 3 years 24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
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 11V186000 (body structure) and 10V591000 (seats) done? 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?
- Volvo sent dealers 158 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Title BLIS 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 1 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
Battery dead and car would not start; car had not been used for only 1 week or less.
2011 Volvo S40 owner · NHTSA complaint 10514924
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 2011 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 158 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Title BLIS fault tracing
- This is a Technical Journal: "BLIS service required" may be displayed in DIM(Drivers…
- Technical Journal TITLE : The Error Frame Finder (EFF) can be an aid in fault tracing…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Body structure · recall issued 2011
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 S40 PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Seats · recall issued 2010
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT PASSENGER SEATS.
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
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo S40 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Volvo S40 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 5-cyl.
Every Volvo S40 year. 2011 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 2011 Volvo S40 reliable?
We can't score it: only 2,984 were sold in the U.S. in 2011 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2011 Volvo S40 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (100%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Volvo S40 have?
2 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Volvo S40 get?
24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2011 Volvo S40 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2011 Volvo S40 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Volvo S40 have?
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