Replacement of cv joints- october 2018 my vehicle was diagnosed with leakage from the cv joints which splattered all underneath my vehicle. My vehicle only had 69,000 miles. The technician stated that they should not have been a problems with so few miles. He stated that my vehicle's steering would have been compromised if they had failed and cause damage to my engine. I travel 1 hour one daily…
2009 Volvo S40 powertrain problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 3 powertrain complaints filed for the 2009 Volvo S40, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Volvo s40. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle independently decelerated and stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission fuel line was fractured. The transmission fuel line and the transmission fluid were replaced. The manufacturer was…
Improper draining route which in result causes mold and damage to floor mats and seat cushions in rainy weather. Transmission fluid has higher acidity levels. Coolant regularly falls below minimum level required.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 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 powertrain problem on the 2009 Volvo S40?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 71,467 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2009/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.