Of the 6 brakes complaints filed for the 2007 Volvo S40,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
2 (40%)
25-50k
1 (20%)
50-75k
1 (20%)
75-100k
1 (20%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
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
Brakes accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Volvo is recalling 1,114 my 2007 c30, c70, s40, and v50 passenger vehicles
The capacity to brake will gradually deteriorate forcing the driver to use a higher than expected force on the brake pedal when compared to an intact brake system. The deterioration can eventually result in complete loss of the brake system functionality increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the master cylinder. The brake master cylinder and brake fluid reservoir will be replaced and certain brake lines cleaned free of charge. The recall began on march 11, 2008. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
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.
Service BulletinTJ28941-4-0-2019Feb 2019
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)
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)
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.
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
5 most recent
brakes · 23,000 mi
· filed 12/10/2011
12/9/2011 while on an incline driving at approximately 25 MPH brakes failed, even after pressing pedal all the way to the floor, car failed to stop causing collision with vehicle in front despite more than necessary braking distance maintained between two vehicles and under clear, sunny conditions. Note: dealer had completed 10-point inspection during oil change 14 days before occurrence.…
brakes · 2,939 mi
· filed 11/12/2007
The rear brakes on this vehicle caught on fire after a short drive (1 mile) having to be extinguished with a fire extinguisher. The rear brake assembly (left rear) completely failed and overheated to the point of causing flames to appear needing to be extinguished. This car had 2939 miles on it as a new Volvo s40. This catastrophic failure was unexplained and without an apparent error by driver…
brakes · 65,000 mi
· filed 10/20/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Volvo s40. The contact stated that the brake sensor illuminated indicating low brake fluid. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The technician replenished the brake fluid and reset the brake sensor. The contact indicated that shortly after the brake sensor was reset by the dealer, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop who…
brakes · 76,000 mi
· filed 10/18/2011
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Volvo s40. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, she applied the brakes and a brake light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop and the contact was informed that the vehicle was leaking brake fluid. Brake fluid was added to the vehicle as a temporary remedy. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer and the…
brakes · 35,000 mi
· filed 02/20/2010
I drove into a hotel parking garage , came into my spot and the car accelerated and went into a wall. I shut the engine off to prevent my whole car going thru the wall. Just the front of the car went into the wall. *tr
Had brakes trouble with your 2007 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 2007 Volvo S40?
It's a meaningful issue. 6 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 44,157 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?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover brakes issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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/2007/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.