VehicleVerdict

2010 Volvo S40 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2010 Volvo S40 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other S40 years?

S40 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 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, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S40 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Volvo S40 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers218%
Body & Structure218%
Airbags218%
Seat Belts19%
Transmission19%
Tires & Wheels19%
Electrical System19%
Other19%

Does the 2010 Volvo S40 have recalls?

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

10V591000SeatsNovember 22, 2010 · 7,420 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RAIL'S DETECTION SYSTEM WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND MAY PERMIT THE PASSENGER TO FORWARD THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM.

Consequence

POSITIONING OF THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT POWER SEAT STOPS FOR BOTH FRONT SEATS FOR THE PRESENCE OF AN "END STOP" AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR AT CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MY HUSBAND AND I BOTH OWN 2010 VOLVOS. MINE IS S40, HIS XC60. WE HAVE BOTH HAD LEAKS RELATING TO FAULTY SUNROOF DRAIN. DEALER REPAIRED AND REPLACED FOR MY HUSBAND AT NO COST, BUT FOUGHT WITH ME - BECAUSE I AM A WOMAN - UNTIL MY HUSBAND CAME WITH ME TO DEALERSHIP. EVEN THOUGH THEY ULTIMATELY FIXED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 31, 2016

“I got into a car accident today. The electrical wiring is constantly giving out and I had no idea my airbags wouldn't work until today when they did not deploy. My car hit the other car enough to move it several feet and no airbags.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 5, 2024 · crash

“The adhesive and seal on the entire top of my windshield has failed. The glass is shaking while driving and rattles severely if a small bump is driven over on the road. This is a huge safety concern since my window could break or fall off at any given moment.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 2, 2022

“The windshield is coming unglued at the top center and right . I am concerned that the windshield could come out on the highway, I plan to contact a windshield shop and see if they can repair it.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 2, 2021

“I WAS PROMPTED TO ADD AIR TO MY FRONT TIRE DUE TO THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT COMING ON. AFTER I ADDED AIR I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE TIRE VALVE CAP BACK ON THE WHEEL AND IT BEGAN FORCEFULLY BLOWING OUT AIR. I ATTEMPTED AGAIN TO SECURE THE CAP AND THE VALVE STEM SENSOR CAME OUT OF THE VALVE STEM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · November 8, 2016

2010 Volvo S40 — common questions

Is the 2010 Volvo S40 reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2010 S40 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (2 complaints), visibility & wipers (2 complaints), body & structure (2 complaints).

Does the 2010 Volvo S40 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 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.