Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2004 Volvo V40: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2004 Volvo V40, most recently filed October 2004. Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (3)

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2004 Volvo V40. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2004 Volvo V40. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 04V493000 Filed Oct 14, 2004

VOLVO/VACUUM VALVE/HOSE ASSEMBLY

Service brakes, hydraulic · power assist · vacuum · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE NON-RETURN VALVE MAY CRACK DUE TO A POOR WELD CAUSING A VACUUM LEAK.
Consequence
IF THIS OCCURS, MORE BRAKE PEDAL FORCE MAY BE REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND/OR MAY EXPERIENCE A ROUGH ENGINE IDLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE VACUUM HOSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
Repair progress not yet reported1,719 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V493000
Listed for 2004 Volvo V40. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 03V424000 Filed Oct 24, 2003

VOLVO/FUEL LEAK

Fuel system, gasoline
Official NHTSA text
Summary
ON CERTAIN SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS, THERE MAY BE A FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL RAIL DUE TO INADEQUATE WELDING.
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported15,067 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 03V424000
Listed for 2004 Volvo V40. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 03V284000 Filed Aug 1, 2003

VOLVO/ISOFIX GUIDE

Equipment · other · labels
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported220,407 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 03V284000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (4)

4 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Volvo V40, by component (top 3). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 4.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2004 compares with other V40 years

Best and worst V40 years →
1 50 11 4 2 4 1
1993200020012002200320042013
This year (2004)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined

22
mpg combined
19
city
27
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,750
CO₂ tailpipe
404 g/mi
EPA class
Small Station Wagons

What it costs you to run

$2,969per year
$247per month
682gallons a year

Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2004 Volvo V40 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22$3,750404

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2004 V40 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All V40 years

Where to next

2004 Volvo V40 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2004 Volvo V40 have?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 04V493000 (brake), 03V424000 (fuel system), 03V284000 (equipment). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2004 Volvo V40 problems?

Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (2), Air bags (1), Structure (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2004 Volvo V40 get?

EPA rates the 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic version at 19 city, 27 highway and 22 combined mpg.

How does the 2004 V40 compare with other years?

Among the 1993–2013 Volvo V40 model years at least five years old, the 1993 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2000 the most (50). The 2004 drew 4. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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