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ProblemsByVinFile / 2006-VOLVO-S40NHTSA data synced minutes ago
2006 · Volvo
Volvo S40 problems
59 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
Reliability score
7.6 / 10
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2006 S40?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2006 Volvo S40? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
electrical — 23 owner reports
· tends to show around 85,844 mi · ~$850 to fix
engine — 10 owner reports
· tends to show around 77,091 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
visibility — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 61,849 mi · ~$350 to fix
brakes — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 19,400 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 77,091 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2006 S40· engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Volvo s40. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the engine stalled while the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was not determined. The vehicle was…
My 2006 Volvo s40 has had numerous and intermittent electrical issues including gauges that go haywire, false airbag failure or brake failure messages, locks that don't engage or disengage and traction control that seems to stick or malfunction. On a few occasions the…
Car was parked in the driveway at my house overnight. When I opened the driver's door today mid-day, I saw glass all over the front seats. The sunroof had exploded upward. The edges of the glass still remaining in the sunroof are clearly pushed up and outward, not downward into…
Dt:the contact stated this was the third time that the check engine light came on. The vehicle has been at the dealership for three weeks, and they did not know what the problem with vehicle was. The corporate office contacted her today and told her that as soon as she found…
Had a problem with your 2006 Volvo S40?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, reoccurring, long-term exposure to certain environmental conditions such as salty-wet conditions, it is possible for the pump electronic module (pem) to become corroded internally
If this occurs, the check engine light may illuminate. In some cases, the vehicle may fail to start or may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the pem and install it in a new location to prevent corrosion. The recall began on february 20, 2008. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
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
This may potentially result in fuel line leakage. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will change the fuel line material to teflon free of charge. The recall began on june 5, 2006. Owners may contact Volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
Common questions
Is the 2006 Volvo S40 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Volvo S40 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2006 Volvo S40?
On the NHTSA data, the 2006 Volvo S40 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2006 Volvo S40?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 23 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 85,844 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2006 Volvo S40 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 59 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 85,844 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Volvo S40?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 23 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 85,844 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 85,844 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Volvo S40 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Volvo S40?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 59 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced minutes ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Volvo/S40.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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