This is a Technical Journal: When sensitive information, like vehicle speed, brake usage, etc. (customer behavoiur information) of a car is required from Volvo Car Corporation from external sources, either of these two documents should be filled in and attached to the affected Vehicle Report. (External sources: Authority, Insurance companies, Rental companies, etc)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Volvo S40 brakes problems
moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
When does it fail?
Of the 4 brakes complaints filed for the 2006 Volvo S40, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 18 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This is a Technical Journal: When sensitive information, like vehicle speed, brake usage, etc. (customer behavoiur information) of a car is required from Volvo Car Corporation from external sources, either of these two documents should be filled in and attached to the affected Vehicle Report. (External sources: Authority, Insurance companies, Rental companies, etc)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLVO: THE ABS LIGHT IS ON WITH FOUR POSSIBLE TORUBLE CODES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLVO: UNNECESSARY BRAKE CONTROL MODULE (BCM) REPLACEMENTS. WHEN DIAGNOSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) FOR BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM, TECHNICIAN MUST ALWAYS FOLLOW COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC FAULT TRACING PATH IN VIDA. VIDA ALWAYS LISTS POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FAULT.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLVO: ANTI SKID SERVICE REQUIRED MESSAGE, SWM-0201, BCM-0109, EPS-0080. NEW SWM SOFTWARE HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED INTO PRODUCTION AFTER THE CHASSIS RANGE IN THE HEADER.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Noticed reduced braking power and brakes squealing. Took vehicle to dealership repair facility for inspection. Brakes were found to be "disengaged" on the passengers side front and "partially functional" on drivers side front. No brake warning light was displayed on dash. Brake pads and assembly replaced by dealership with "upgraded" parts and covered under warranty for no charge. *tr
Problem with brakes on 2006 Volvo s40 t5. Severe screaching noise comes from brakes when in reverse. Volvo is aware of the problem yet they have not been able to resolve the issue. My Volvo s40 has had brake parts replaced 4 times. Each time I was told the problem was fixed. One month later, the noise is back. The noise is now back for the fifth (5) time.
Had brakes trouble with your 2006 Volvo S40?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2006 Volvo S40?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 19,400 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Volvo/S40.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.