2010 Volvo S40
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 3 of 9 complaints (33%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 10 in 2009 to 9 in 2010.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | vs. 2010 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,350–3,900 | 2,600–3,100 | 2,600–2,850 | 2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–23 | 20–24 | 22–24 | 24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–20 / 25–28 | 17–20 / 25–31 | 19–21 / 27–31 | 21 / 30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–444 | 370–444 | 370–404 | 370 | |
| Complaints filed | 16 | 10 | 9 | 5 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
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 2010 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 2010 Volvo S40?
Airbags & Restraints: 3 of 9 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Volvo S40 get?
EPA rates it 22–24 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Volvo S40?
EPA estimates $2,600–$2,850 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 | Automatic (S5) | 5 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 28 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S5) | 5 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 30 mpg | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S5) | 5 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg | 31 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 5 | 2.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg | 27 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 5 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 5 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 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)
SEATS · Campaign 10V591000 · Dec 2, 2010
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.
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.