VehicleVerdict

2006 Volvo S40 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 81 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median S40 year — the 2006 model ranks #4 of 12 S40 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 28 reports (35% of the total).

81

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other S40 years?

S40 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted166 complaints2000: 166 complaints2001: 112 complaints2002: 34 complaints2003: 23 complaints2004: 75 complaints2005: 91 complaints2006: 81 complaints2007: 36 complaints2008: 27 complaints2009: 14 complaints2010: 11 complaints2011: 7 complaints
S40 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S40 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Volvo S40 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2835%
Engine1012%
Body & Structure911%
Fuel System911%
Visibility & Wipers79%
Airbags45%
Brakes45%
Other34%
Speed Control22%
Tires & Wheels11%
Transmission11%
Latches & Locks11%
Lighting11%
Seats11%

Does the 2006 Volvo S40 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V566000Electrical SystemNovember 8, 2010 · 416 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence

AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy

VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.

08V033000Fuel SystemJanuary 28, 2008 · 23,000 units

Defect

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. THIS CAN CAUSE A FAULTY SIGNAL TO THE FUEL PUMP, RESULTING IN LOW OR NO FUEL PRESSURE TO THE ENGINE.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

06V137000Fuel SystemApril 24, 2006 · 16,175 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS MAY POTENTIALLY RESULT IN FUEL LINE LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ALL GAUGES AND READINGS GO TO ZERO. FOUR WARNING APPEAR ON THE MESSAGE BOARD. AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING OFF IGNITION THE CAR WILL RESTART WITH INTERMITTENT WARNINGS, OR NO WARNINGS AT ALL. UPON HITTING A BUMP THE ERROR MESSAGES CHANGES AND THE GAUGES WORK OR DON'T WORK. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 12, 2010

“EGR OR AKA. OIL TRAP HOUSING, TUBING IS BROKEN AND SUCKING IN AIR. IMPROPER VENTILATION IS TRIPPING OFF EMISSION CODE ON DASH. BRITTLE BLACK PLASTIC HOUSING, DEFECTIVE IN NATURE AND BY DESIGN. POTENTIAL OTHER ISSUES IS THE UNWANTED PRESSURE BUILD UP IN ENGINE WHICH CAN CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 15, 2014

“WATER LEAKED INTO MY VEHICLE THROUGH THE SUNROOF, DESTROYED THE COMPUTER AND AIR AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE CARPETS ARE SOAKED WITH STANDING WATER SITTING IN THE BODY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE TUBES WHERE CLOGGED. I WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 1, 2014

“IN SOME OCCASIONS CAR WON'T START AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IT WOULD SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I BELIEVE IT'S THE PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE WHICH IS ALREADY RECALLED IN SOME CARS. ACCORDING TO YOUR RECALL I HAVE THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS BUT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 7, 2020

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLVO S40. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY CRACKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WITHOUT WARRANT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND STATED THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD OR HONOR THE CONTACTS WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · May 13, 2010

2006 Volvo S40 — common questions

Is the 2006 Volvo S40 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 81 complaints put the 2006 model at #4 of 12 S40 years. It is one of the S40 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 S40 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (28 complaints), engine (10 complaints), body & structure (9 complaints).

Does the 2006 Volvo S40 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Volvo S40. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volvo S40 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S40 years to avoid are 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2004. The cleanest record among S40 years belongs to 2011.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.