2003 Volvo V40 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2003 Volvo V40, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2003 Volvo V40
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Fuel system, gasoline
On certain sedans and station wagons, there may be a fuel leak from the fuel rail due to inadequate welding.
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.
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Labels (equipment)
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.
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…
2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2003 Volvo V40 have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 24,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 2004 with 1 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“"2003 volvo v40 cold start brake failure" on cold winter mornings, when temperature is below freezing, after the engine is started and as i back out of my garage, the brake is so weak that i cannot ef”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 18, 2010 · Service brakes, hydraulic
“Seat belts are defective. When pulling on the seat belts they will not reach the buckle. Thus, making it impossible to attach and ride. Consumer indicates that this defect was repaired by the dealersh”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 7, 2004 · Seat belts
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2003 Volvo V40. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 22 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 19 / 27 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Small Station Wagons |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.9 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
Compare Volvo V40 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Volvo V40 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 Volvo V40 | 0 | 1 |
| 2000 Volvo V40 | 1 | 50 |
| 2001 Volvo V40 | 2 | 11 |
| 2002 Volvo V40 | 1 | 4 |
| 2003 Volvo V40 | 2 | 2 |
| 2004 Volvo V40 | 3 | 4 |
| 2013 Volvo V40 | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2003 Volvo V40
How do I know if my 2003 Volvo V40 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2003 Volvo V40; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Volvo dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V284000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Volvo models
- XC901,528 complaints
- S601,266 complaints
- S80954 complaints
- V70933 complaints
- XC60651 complaints
- S70593 complaints
- 850569 complaints
- S40491 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.