Does the 2002 Volvo S40 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Volvo S40, the most recent reported on August 1, 2003 (Equipment: other, labels). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Volvo S40?

Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (6 complaints), followed by electrical system (5).

How many 2002 Volvo S40 complaints mention a crash or fire?

4 of 27 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 Volvo S40 recalls and problems

1 recall and 27 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Volvo S40.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Volvo S40 recalls

Equipment: other, labels

NHTSA campaign 03V284000 · reported August 1, 2003 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 220,407 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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 certain cases, the owner's manual isofix information is incorrect.
The risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix: Owners will receive a letter/package consisting of the second isofix guide with installation instructions, and in certain cases, the corrected owner's manual may be provided. If the owner wants to take their vehicle to a volvo dealer for installation of the guide, it will be performed at no charge to the owner. Owner notification began on december 19, 2003. Owners should contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Service brakes, hydraulic6
Electrical system5
Engine and engine cooling3
Exterior lighting3
Suspension3
Air bags2
Power train2
Visibility2
Fuel system, gasoline1
Fuel/propulsion system1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Dec 21, 2017 · Fuel/propulsion system · 130,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT GETTING HER VEHICLE INCLUDED IN AN OPEN RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DELAY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE OBSERVED A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND SHE WAS CONCERNED OF A FUEL LEAK. IN…

Nov 3, 2013 · Service brakes · 145,000 miles
I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN ROAD AND MY BRAKES FAILED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A BRAKE LINE CORRODED THROUGH. IT APPEARS THAT THE VEHICLE HAS A SINGLE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. I ASKED A VOLVO DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS, AND THEY CONFIRMED TO ME THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER IS A SINGLE ONE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IN THE…

Jan 3, 2013 · Suspension · 114,800 miles
WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND THE FRONT COIL SPRING DAMAGED THE TIRE. DEALER STOCKS THESE EXPENSIVE SPRINGS (BOTH FRONT AND REAR) IN LARGER THAN NORMAL AMOUNTS DUE TO INCIDENCES OF BREAKAGE. I FEEL THAT THIS WAS AN EARLY FAILURE FOR THIS TYPE AND AGE OF VEHICLE AND SHOULD IT HAVE…

Sep 7, 2011 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 150,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHILE REVERSING AND THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED…

Jan 7, 2011 · Service brakes, hydraulic · 104,000 miles · crash reported
TL CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S40. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKES WHEN THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER SLOWED DOWN CAUSING A CRASH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACTS VEHICLE HAD FRONT END DAMAGES. THE…

S40 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	1	122	12	1
2001	2	84	11	4
2002	1	27	4	0
2003	2	18	0	1
2004	6	48	5	1
2005	3	69	2	0

Across all years, the 2000 S40 has the most complaints (122). All Volvo S40 years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Volvo S40 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Volvo S40, the most recent reported on August 1, 2003 (Equipment: other, labels). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Volvo S40?: Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (6 complaints), followed by electrical system (5).
How many 2002 Volvo S40 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 4 of 27 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 2 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received December 21, 2017.