
2010 Volvo S40
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2010 Volvo S40 has 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is body/structure problems (18% of all complaints), specifically: 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 th.
11
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.1x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
BODY/STRUCTURE
2 complaints- • 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 TH
- • I WAS DRIVING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY 101, JUST SOUTH OF WILLITS, CALIFORNIA, WHEN MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED. I COULD SEE THAT MY SUNROOF WAS MOSTLY GONE AND THERE WAS PIECES OF GLASS FALLING ON ME. I CALLED MY HUSBAND T
“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 TH”
— NHTSA complaint filing
VISIBILITY
2 complaints- • 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.
- • 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.
“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.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
AIR BAGS
2 complaints- • 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.
- • Hello. The warning of the device is on the dashboard that the SRS is not functional
“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.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SEATS/RESTRAINTS
1 complaints- • THE SEATBELT BUCKLES STICK WHEN TRYING TO EJECT. THE BUCKLE CLASPS HAVE TO BE PUSHED DOWN AND WIGGLED A FEW TIMES TO UNCLASP. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE CAR QUICKLY. THIS IS ALL BELTS IN THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE
“THE SEATBELT BUCKLES STICK WHEN TRYING TO EJECT. THE BUCKLE CLASPS HAVE TO BE PUSHED DOWN AND WIGGLED A FEW TIMES TO UNCLASP. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE CAR QUICKLY. THIS IS ALL BELTS IN THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE”
— NHTSA complaint filing
WHEELS
1 complaints- • 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 COMPLET
“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 COMPLET”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 11 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐BODY/STRUCTURE: 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 TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐VISIBILITY: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SEATS/RESTRAINTS: THE SEATBELT BUCKLES STICK WHEN TRYING TO EJECT. THE BUCKLE CLASPS HAVE TO BE PUSHED DOWN AND WIGGLED A FEW TIMES TO UNCLASP. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT THE CAR QUICKLY. THIS IS ALL BELTS IN THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Volvo S40 — Year Comparison
How does 2010 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 2
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2010 Volvo S40