Check by VIN to confirm the exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS, THERE MAY BE A FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL DUE TO INADEQUATE WELDING.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A V-CLAMP TO THE FUEL RAIL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Certain Volvo 850, S40, V40, V50, V70, XC70 and XC90 equipped with integrated child booster cushions were incorrectly labelled during vehicle assembly. The label indicates that the booster cushion can be used for children weighing between 15 and 36 kg (33 and 80 lb). CMVSS 213 states that the minimum weight for use must be 18 kg (40 lb). Should an underweight child be placed in the booster cushion and the vehicle is involved in a crash, the child may have a greater risk of injury. Correction: Volvo Canada will send a letter to owners explaining this problem and will supply updated weight limit decal to be applied to each side window.
On certain vehicles, improper welding of the end cover that secures the service nipple to the fuel rail may eventually cause a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could create the risk of a vehicle fire and possible injury or death. Correction: Dealer will install a V-clamp securing device to the fuel rail.
Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 210.2. The symbol indicating the presence of a lower universal anchorage system, and a reproduction of this symbol were omitted from the owner's manual. Correction: The corrected owner's manual page will be mailed to owners.
Owners filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Volvo S40 (1 fires reported). Among 12 model years of this model, it ranks #8 for the most complaints (median 27).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 6 | |
| Electrical system | 3 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 2 | |
| Tires | 2 | |
| Suspension | 2 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | |
| Equipment | 1 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Volvo S40.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Volvo S40 4-DR. w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
EPA ratings for each 2003 Volvo S40 version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S40 FWD 1.9 L Automatic 5-spd | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,750 |
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada). Recalls updated 2026-10-30.