Does the 2003 Volvo S40 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Volvo S40, the most recent reported on October 24, 2003 (Fuel system, gasoline). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Volvo S40?

Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (6 complaints), followed by electrical system (3).

How many 2003 Volvo S40 complaints mention a crash or fire?

0 of 18 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2003 Volvo S40 recalls and problems

2 recalls and 18 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 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.

2003 Volvo S40 recalls

Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA campaign 03V424000 · reported October 24, 2003 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 15,067 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: On certain sedans and station wagons, there may be a fuel leak from the fuel rail due to inadequate welding.
The risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a v-clamp to the fuel rail. Owner notification began on january 28, 2004. Owners should contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

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.

Power train6
Electrical system3
Fuel system, gasoline2
Suspension2
Tires2
Vehicle speed control2
Engine1
Engine and engine cooling1
Equipment1
Fuel system, other1

What owners report

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

Nov 7, 2021 · Engine
Engine light stays on. I have had 2 mechanics check it out. They don't know why the light is on. I am very concerned about the fuel line problem.

Dec 7, 2018 · Suspension · 120,000 miles
THE REAR STRUT/SHOCKS CONTINUE TO BREAK/CRACK OVER AND OVER. I HAVE GONE THROUGH 3 NEW STRUTS AND SHOCKS AND THEY CONTINUE TO BREAK. I ALSO HAVE GONE TO THE JUNKYARD AND ALL OF THE S40 AND V40'S HAVE ALL OF THEIR STRUTS/SHOCKS BROKEN. I'VE WITNESSED OVER 6 S40 OR V40'S LIKE THIS NOW. MY CAR HAS FAILED INSPECTION…

Jan 31, 2018 · Electrical system · 108,000 miles
PRIOR TO LATEST INCIDENT, THE CAR HAD OCCASIONALLY GONE INTO "LIMP" MODE, STICKING IN 3RD GEAR BUT DRIVABLE. THAT PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY AFTER A DAY OR SO. LOCAL SHOP COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING DEFINITIVE. BIGGER PROBLEM WAS YESTERDAY EVENING'S LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL AND MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IDLE THROTTLE SETTING…

Feb 8, 2013 · Electrical system · 125,000 miles
I RETURNED TO MY CAR AND FOUND THAT I COULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND AS A RESULT OF THE SECURITY SYSTEM MY CAR WAS TOTALLY INOPERATIVE. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BROKEN IGNITION SWITCH, SPECIFICALLY THE DEVICE THAT READS THE CHIP IN THE KEY HAS FAILED AND WILL…

Jun 29, 2012 · Vehicle speed control · 94,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL TO GET THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, SHUT OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART 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
2006	3	58	1	0

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

Questions

Does the 2003 Volvo S40 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Volvo S40, the most recent reported on October 24, 2003 (Fuel system, gasoline). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Volvo S40?: Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (6 complaints), followed by electrical system (3).
How many 2003 Volvo S40 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 0 of 18 complaints report a crash and 1 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received November 7, 2021.