Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
5,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data updated: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 12 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Braking behavior
7
58.3%
Transmission and shifting
2
16.7%
Engine operation
1
8.3%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages: 5; Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal: 4; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Structure: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
4
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
4
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
2004
1
2005
9
2006
2
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2004
1
2005
9
2006
2
2004: 1; 2005: 9; 2006: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE TUNNEL WAS 5.1 INCHES WHICH DID NOT LEAVE ENOUGH ROOM FOR HIS FOOT TO MANEUVER. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN DEFECT. *AK (VOLVO S40 2005) *SC *JB
I OWN A 2005 VOLVO S40 AND THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THIS HAS CAUSED AN ISSUE WITH MY FOOT CATCHING THE BRAKE FROM BEHIND AS I MOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS TO THE BRAKE. AND IF I NEED TO BRAKE IMMEDIATELY AND MY FOOT HANGS UP THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT.*AK
I OWN A 2005 VOLVO S40 2.4I THAT WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2004. THE ISSUE IS THE SEPARATION OF THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS AS WELL AS THE SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL/ARM AND THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL, WHICH PROVIDES OVERALL CLEARANCE FOR THE RIGHT FOOT. THEY ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND WHILE DRIVING, MY FOOT TENDS TO HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL SLIGHTY WHEN I WANT TO PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR. IN ADDITION TO THIS, THE WINDSHIELD IS QUITE EASILY CHIPPED. I HAVE 4000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THERE ARE ALREADY 9 CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD. MY PARENTS HAVE M…
ON THE 2005 VOLVO S40 T5 AUTOMATIC ONLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL. IN FACT, A SIZE 9 SHOE OF MEDIUM WIDTH WILL BARELY FIT ON THE GAS PEDAL WHILE TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ABOUT 1.5 INCHES HIGHER THAN THE GAS PEDAL SO MANY TIMES THE FOOT WILL BE CAUGHT UNDER THE PEDAL. THIS IS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS DESIGN AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. OTHER DRIVERS HAVE REPORTED THIS BUT VOLVO IS NOT WILLING TO RETROFIT THE PEDALS. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NON-T5 VERSION DOES NOT SUFFER FROM THIS BAD DESIGN NOR…
TWO ISSUES: 1) CAR STALLED ON THE 495 BELTWAY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT AND CAR WOULD NOT START. A VOLVO TEMPORARY SW FIX WAS APPLIED TO THE COMPUTER TO FIX 2) OEM LICENSE PLATE BOLTS ON THE FRONT OF CAR A VERY SHARP AND CAN CAUSE HARM TO PERSONS AND PROPERTY
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
12 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
33.3%Usable mileage4 / 12 records
100.0%Valid incident date12 / 12 records
100.0%Valid filing date12 / 12 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates12 / 12 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2004
2005
2006
2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
00.0%
No examples available for this selection.
541.7%ODI 10102071
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE TUNNEL WAS 5.1 INCHES WHICH DID NOT LEAVE ENOUGH ROOM FOR HIS FOOT TO MANEUVER. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN DEFECT. *AK (VOLVO S40 2005) *SC *JB
I OWN A 2005 VOLVO S40 AND THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THIS HAS CAUSED AN ISSUE WITH MY FOOT CATCHING THE BRAKE FROM BEHIND AS I MOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS TO THE BRAKE. AND IF I NEED TO BRAKE IMMEDIATELY AND MY FOOT HANGS UP THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT.*AK
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE IN THE MORNING THE FIRST TRY RESULTS IN LOUD SHAKING AND SHUTTERING. SOUNDS LIKE CAR IS NOT RUNNING ON ALL CYLINDERS, OR HAS BAD TIMING. INITAL PROBLEM IS THAT HOOD INSULATOR FASTENERS ARE COMMING OFF WHICH COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT AND CASUE ENGINE FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO DEALER TWO TIMES. DEALER SAID THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. PROBLEM OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY TWO DAYS.
DT:THE CONTACT STATED THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THREE WEEKS, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE WAS. THE CORPORATE OFFICE CONTACTED HER TODAY AND TOLD HER THAT AS SOON AS SHE FOUND OUT SOMETHING SHE WOULD CALL HER BACK. *AK
I OWN THE 2005 S40. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 2.5 MONTHS THAT MY CAR HAS JUST DECIDED NOT TO START. THE FIRST TIME, IT HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED AND I DROVE ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO A GAS STATION, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND THEN IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER A FEW TRIES IT DECIDED TO START. I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY BACK TO DEALER AND THEY KEPT IT FOR A DAY AND SAID NOTHING WRONG. IN THE MEAN TIMES, A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE NST TIME THE CAR FAILED TO START, I THOUGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING FIRE-LIKE SMOKY, BUT FIGURED MUST BE MY IMAGINATION. SO THE SECOND TIME, I…
TWO ISSUES: 1) CAR STALLED ON THE 495 BELTWAY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT AND CAR WOULD NOT START. A VOLVO TEMPORARY SW FIX WAS APPLIED TO THE COMPUTER TO FIX 2) OEM LICENSE PLATE BOLTS ON THE FRONT OF CAR A VERY SHARP AND CAN CAUSE HARM TO PERSONS AND PROPERTY
STARTED CAR WHEN PARKED IN PARKING SPACE, AND CAR WENT FORWARD WHEN SHIFT LEVER WAS IN REVERSE. MOVED SHIFT LEVER THROUGH 'GEARS' TO REVERSE TWO MORE TIMES. THREE TIMES CAR MOVED FORWARD WHEN LEVER WAS IN REVERSE. TURNED OFF ENGINE AND RE-STARTED CAR, THEN CAR WOULD GO BACKWARDS WHEN IN REVERSE. *JB
THREE ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE SO FAR TO CORRECT A BRAKE PROBLEM. WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON HAVING THE CAR SERVICES A FOURTH TIME IN THE COURSE OF 6 MONTHS, MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP A TOTAL OF THREE WEEKS. *NM
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
Component failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
Too few reports for a range
600 mi
1 (sparse)
ODI 10132017 · 600 mi
ON THE 2005 VOLVO S40 T5 AUTOMATIC ONLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL. IN FACT, A SIZE 9 SHOE OF MEDIUM WIDTH WILL BARELY FIT ON THE GAS PEDAL WHILE TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ABOUT 1.5 INCHES HIGHER THAN THE GAS PEDAL SO MANY TIMES THE FOOT WILL BE CAUGHT UNDER THE PEDAL. THIS IS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS DESIGN AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. OTHER DRIVERS HAVE REPORTED THIS BUT VOLVO IS NOT WILLING TO RETROFIT THE PEDALS. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NON-T5 VERSION DOES NOT SUFFER FROM THIS BAD DESIGN NOR…
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE IN THE MORNING THE FIRST TRY RESULTS IN LOUD SHAKING AND SHUTTERING. SOUNDS LIKE CAR IS NOT RUNNING ON ALL CYLINDERS, OR HAS BAD TIMING. INITAL PROBLEM IS THAT HOOD INSULATOR FASTENERS ARE COMMING OFF WHICH COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT AND CASUE ENGINE FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO DEALER TWO TIMES. DEALER SAID THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. PROBLEM OCCURS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY TWO DAYS.
TWO ISSUES: 1) CAR STALLED ON THE 495 BELTWAY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT AND CAR WOULD NOT START. A VOLVO TEMPORARY SW FIX WAS APPLIED TO THE COMPUTER TO FIX 2) OEM LICENSE PLATE BOLTS ON THE FRONT OF CAR A VERY SHARP AND CAN CAUSE HARM TO PERSONS AND PROPERTY
STARTED CAR WHEN PARKED IN PARKING SPACE, AND CAR WENT FORWARD WHEN SHIFT LEVER WAS IN REVERSE. MOVED SHIFT LEVER THROUGH 'GEARS' TO REVERSE TWO MORE TIMES. THREE TIMES CAR MOVED FORWARD WHEN LEVER WAS IN REVERSE. TURNED OFF ENGINE AND RE-STARTED CAR, THEN CAR WOULD GO BACKWARDS WHEN IN REVERSE. *JB
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2025-12
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-01
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-02
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-03
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-04
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-05
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-06
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-07
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-08
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-09
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2006: 0 complaints · 2010: 0 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2006
0
0
0
2010
0
0
0
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2006
0
0
1
2010
0
0
0
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
I OWN A 2005 VOLVO S40 AND THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THIS HAS CAUSED AN ISSUE WITH MY FOOT CATCHING THE BRAKE FROM BEHIND AS I MOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS TO THE BRAKE. AND IF I NEED TO BRAKE IMMEDIATELY AND MY FOOT HANGS UP THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT.*AK
I OWN A 2005 VOLVO S40 AND THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THIS HAS CAUSED AN ISSUE WITH MY FOOT CATCHING THE BRAKE FROM BEHIND AS I MOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS TO THE BRAKE. AND IF I NEED TO BRAKE IMMEDIATELY AND MY FOOT HANGS UP THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT.*AK
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
4 patterns with matching reports.
Brake response concerns
6 mentions · 50.0% of complaints
Median mileage: 600 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10102071
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE TUNNEL WAS 5.1 INCHES WHICH DID NOT LEAVE ENOUGH ROOM FOR HIS FOOT TO MANEUVER. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS A DESIGN DEFECT. *AK (VOLVO S40 2005) *SC *JB
I OWN A 2005 VOLVO S40 AND THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THIS HAS CAUSED AN ISSUE WITH MY FOOT CATCHING THE BRAKE FROM BEHIND AS I MOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS TO THE BRAKE. AND IF I NEED TO BRAKE IMMEDIATELY AND MY FOOT HANGS UP THIS COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT.*AK
I OWN A 2005 VOLVO S40 2.4I THAT WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2004. THE ISSUE IS THE SEPARATION OF THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS AS WELL AS THE SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL/ARM AND THE TRANSMISSION TUNNEL, WHICH PROVIDES OVERALL CLEARANCE FOR THE RIGHT FOOT. THEY ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND WHILE DRIVING, MY FOOT TENDS TO HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL SLIGHTY WHEN I WANT TO PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR. IN ADDITION TO THIS, THE WINDSHIELD IS QUITE EASILY CHIPPED. I HAVE 4000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THERE ARE ALREADY 9 CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD. MY PARENTS HAVE M…
TWO ISSUES: 1) CAR STALLED ON THE 495 BELTWAY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT AND CAR WOULD NOT START. A VOLVO TEMPORARY SW FIX WAS APPLIED TO THE COMPUTER TO FIX 2) OEM LICENSE PLATE BOLTS ON THE FRONT OF CAR A VERY SHARP AND CAN CAUSE HARM TO PERSONS AND PROPERTY
I OWN THE 2005 S40. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 2.5 MONTHS THAT MY CAR HAS JUST DECIDED NOT TO START. THE FIRST TIME, IT HAD JUST BEEN SERVICED AND I DROVE ABOUT 20 MINUTES TO A GAS STATION, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND THEN IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER A FEW TRIES IT DECIDED TO START. I TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY BACK TO DEALER AND THEY KEPT IT FOR A DAY AND SAID NOTHING WRONG. IN THE MEAN TIMES, A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE NST TIME THE CAR FAILED TO START, I THOUGHT I SMELLED SOMETHING FIRE-LIKE SMOKY, BUT FIGURED MUST BE MY IMAGINATION. SO THE SECOND TIME, I…
Matching rule\b(parasitic drain|battery drain\w*|dead battery|won.t start|would not start|no.start)\b
Stalling or loss of power
1 mentions · 8.3% of complaints
Median mileage: 4,800 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10133838 · 4,800 mi
TWO ISSUES: 1) CAR STALLED ON THE 495 BELTWAY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT AND CAR WOULD NOT START. A VOLVO TEMPORARY SW FIX WAS APPLIED TO THE COMPUTER TO FIX 2) OEM LICENSE PLATE BOLTS ON THE FRONT OF CAR A VERY SHARP AND CAN CAUSE HARM TO PERSONS AND PROPERTY
Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b
Warning lights and dashboard alerts
1 mentions · 8.3% of complaints
Median mileage: 4,800 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10133838 · 4,800 mi
TWO ISSUES: 1) CAR STALLED ON THE 495 BELTWAY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT AND CAR WOULD NOT START. A VOLVO TEMPORARY SW FIX WAS APPLIED TO THE COMPUTER TO FIX 2) OEM LICENSE PLATE BOLTS ON THE FRONT OF CAR A VERY SHARP AND CAN CAUSE HARM TO PERSONS AND PROPERTY