2006 Volvo S40: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 Volvo S40: 3 recalls, 58 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.

Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #06V137000 · 2006 · 16,175 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with t5 turbo engines, the polyamide tube in the fuel line is sensitive to the extreme temperatures that May occur in the area where the turbo/exhaust manifold is located.
Why it matters: This May potentially result in fuel line leakage. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will change the fuel line material to teflon free of charge. The recall began on June 5, 2006.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #08V033000 · 2008 · 23,000 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain vehicles sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, reoccurring, long-term exposure to certain environmental conditions such as salty-wet conditions, it is…
Why it matters: If this occurs, the check engine light May illuminate. In some cases, the vehicle May fail to start or May stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the pem and install it in a new location to prevent corrosion. The recall began on February 20, 2008.
Equipment Vehicle recall #10V566000 · 2010 · 416 vehicles
What's wrong:
Why it matters: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
The fix: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (24): the most common themes are electrical failure (9), door / lock issues (8), warning light on (7).
- Body & structure (9): the most common themes are leaks (3), door / lock issues (2).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (7): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
- Fuel & propulsion (7): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), warning light on (3), won't start (2).
The 2006 Volvo S40 has 58 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 12 S40 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 41). Complaints peaked in 2014 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 75,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (69 complaints, 3 recalls), 2007 (25 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 5-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | Premium |
| 2.4 L 5-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Premium |
| 2.4 L 5-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 5-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2006 Volvo S40.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2006 Volvo S40 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2006 Volvo S40. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2006 Volvo S40 problems?
Owners have filed 58 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (24), body & structure (9), visibility (wipers, glass) (7).
What gas mileage does the 2006 Volvo S40 get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.5 L, Manual 6-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2006 Volvo S40 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.