2008 Volvo S40
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 4 of 16 complaints (25%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Suspension, Wheels & Tires include more crash reports (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 25 in 2007 to 16 in 2008.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,350–3,900 | 3,350–3,700 | 3,350–3,900 | 2,600–3,100 | 2,600–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–23 | 21–23 | 20–23 | 20–24 | 22–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–20 / 25–29 | 18–20 / 26–28 | 17–20 / 25–28 | 17–20 / 25–31 | 19–21 / 27–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–444 | 386–423 | 386–444 | 370–444 | 370–404 | |
| Complaints filed | 58 | 25 | 16 | 10 | 9 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Volvo S40 have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Volvo S40?
Engine: 4 of 16 NHTSA complaints (25%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Volvo S40 get?
EPA rates it 20–23 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Volvo S40?
EPA estimates $3,350–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 5 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S5) | 5 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 5 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $3,350 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S5) | 5 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $3,350 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 5 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 19 mpg | 28 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $3,350 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S5) | 5 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 19 mpg | 27 mpg | 22 mpg | $3,500 | 404 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) · Campaign 10V566000 · Nov 16, 2010
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.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS · Campaign 08V329000 · Jul 23, 2008
Defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING MY 2008-2009 VEHICLES. A SECTION OF THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE WAS NOT PROPERLY VULCANIZED (CURED) AND DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS. IF THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE FAILS, A SUDDEN RUPTURE OF THE HOSE CAN OCCUR.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A RAPID DRAINAGE OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE SYSTEM AND A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STEERING RETURN LINE HOSE ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.