Volvo S40 Electrical Problems

Electrical complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Instrument cluster/panel
  5
• Ignition › Switch
  3
• Alternator/generator/regulator
  2
• Wiring › Interior/under dash
  2
• Horn
  2
• 12V/24V/48V battery
  2
• Ignition › Module
  1
• Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
  1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1116%
• 25k–50k
  812%
• 50k–75k
  2130%
• 75k–100k
  1014%
• 100k–150k
  1217%
• 150k+
  710%

What owners report

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Volvo S40. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 115,314. The contact stated that at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 350,000 on VIN History USA.

A cold, wet, wintery morning; pulled into coffee shop parking lot, parked car, turned engine off, removed key, got out of the car, locked doors, went into the coffee shop. The car was stationary, nothing left on in the car. While waiting for coffee glanced out coffee shop window. Saw that the car was filled with smoke. A panic rush to car found a fire was burning behind dash. Coffee shop had a fire extinguisher; the fire was put out. The car, inoperative, was towed to a dealer. An opinion is that a manufacturing defect involving the car's cem (central electronic module) under the dash, on the passenger's side, was likely the cause and source of the fire. Dealer report; engine & dash wiring, cem, heater housing, airbag, inner glove box to replace.

After buying the vehicle on 7/9/21, the car started having problems with the cooling system. I took it to a repair shop and they said the cooling system was overfilled. The air problem continued. I took it back to the dealership who said they fixed it but it continued. I contacted the prior Manufactuer service center who informed me the computer chip was recommended to be replaced when the dealer had it serviced but they declined, causing all the electrical and cooling issues. I called the dealer and they said they had the alarm disconnected also which was why the computer system wasn't working. The alarm system doesn't work and I have had to replace the key fob 3 times. …

2008 S40, car was placed in park and turned off while running errands, no problems. Came out of the store and placed the key into the ignition and received this error message, "turn steering, try start again." prior to this, the car was completely operable. Removed the key and inserted key into the ignition again and nothing happened. I noticed the following: when the key is turned to 1 and 2, all dash light and headlights come on. At three, the headlights go off, the arm rest buttons go off and only check engine stays on. Once the key is released, all indicators and headlights come back on. OBD shows no codes. Turned the wheel all the way left and right, message persists. This has never happened before and I had a minor child with me in the scorching heat. …

On June 28, 2008, my garage door came down on my 2007 Volvo S40 sedan, without warning, causing damage to the roof of the car (est. $2000.00) as well as irreparable damage to the garage door (replaced at a cost of $1150.00). A technician from genie (mfg of garage door opener) thoroughly inspected and tested the opener on June 30, 2008, and found the unit to be working properly. It was discovered that the action of unlocking and locking the car doors with the remote as well as starting the ignition of the car caused the garage door to open and close without warning. Each time the car remote was pressed, it transmitted to the garage door opener. After de programming the homelink in the car, the situation no longer occurred. I no longer felt safe having the homelink active, as I did not want to chance further vehicle damage or bodily harm. …

On or about 12/04/2019 during a flash rain storm last winter, my husband and I was headed home on the 215 fwy northbound in san bernardino, ca when the center dome area and the electric sunroof inside our car begin pouring in huge amounts of very cold rain water on us and on the dashboard, stereo console, gear shifter, floor and seats. Until it was safe to exit the freeway, my husband tried to soak up as much of the leaking rainwater as he could with his coat but the water continued to pouring into the car. Once it was safe to exit the freeway, we pulled into a gas station and examine the sunroof to make sure it was shut properly, which it was, not understanding why this was happening, he and I used as many pieces of napkins and cloth that we could find to sop up as much water as we could and as best as we could. …

Prior to this incident, my car idled down and pressing the gas did not prevent it from coming to a complete stop. The check engine light illuminated and all of the lights came on to include, warning lights, airbag, stability control, and others including ABS. Fortunately we had just exited the highway to purchase fuel and was in no immediate danger. Because of the vehicles age it was recommended we have the starter, oxygen sensor, spark plugs, 1 coil pack, and battery replaced; and the fuses, fuel pump, fuel filter, alternator and wiring examined, but they did not need to be replaced. After reading other complaints about the electrical problems of this vehicle, I am seriously wondering if this car is safe. …

We had been experiencing rain showers on the way to work the Volvo twice had all the lights on the dash board light up but the car did not stall. I was afraid the air bag might deploy. As soon as I got home I had my husband check to see if he could locate the problem. He found was that the carpet was soaked on the drivers side .and the. Wiring running under the carpet was also wet. We have not moved the car and are trying to dry everything. It has also continued to rain off and on. My husband has found some information on the internet which could be related to this problem and will try to see if this might be the solution to our problem.