Overheating / coolant loss (1.6 recall, 2010–2015)
usually 0–160,000 km · High risk
model years 2010–2015 only
Signs: Coolant level drops, overheating — cracked head / fire risk
Fix: Check recall; monitor coolant level
€0–3,000
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Volvo V40
2012–2019
5
engines covered
13
known faults
95,243
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
8
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Volvo V40 was built from 2012 to 2019.
For this generation we cover 5 engines and 13 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Coolant intrusion into cylinders (1.5): it usually appears at 60,000–180,000 km and costs €3,000–6,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (7.7 %), suspension (7.5 %), lights, wipers and visibility (4.8 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: suspension, tyres and wheels. It fails less often than average on: lights, wipers and visibility.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 / 1.6 EcoBoost (4-cyl) | Petrol | Belt · 150,000 km / every 120 mo | 5W-20 · Ford WSS-M2C948-B · ~4.1 L · every 15,000 km |
| 2.0 / 2.4 D / D3 / D4 / D5 5-cyl (Volvo D5) | Diesel | Belt · 120,000 km / every 96 mo | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · ACEA A5/B5 / C2 · ~6.0 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.6 HDi / TDCi / e-HDi (DV6, 8v / 16v) | Diesel | Belt · 150,000 km / every 96 mo | 5W-30 · PSA B71 2290 / Ford WSS-M2C913-C · ~3.75 L · every 15,000 km |
| D3 / D4 / D5 (VEA diesel) | Diesel | Belt · 150,000 km / every 120 mo | 0W-20 / 0W-30 · Volvo VCC RBS0-2AE · ~5.2 L · every 15,000 km |
| T4 / T5 (VEA petrol) | Petrol | Belt · 150,000 km / every 120 mo | 0W-20 · Volvo VCC RBS0-2AE · ~5.2 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
1.5 / 1.6 EcoBoost (4-cyl)
Coolant intrusion into cylinders (1.5)
usually 60,000–180,000 km · High risk
engine codes: M8DA, M8DB, M9DA, UNCJ, M8MA, M9MA
Signs: Misfire on start, white smoke, coolant loss
Fix: Engine block replacement
€3,000–6,000
Carbon build-up (direct injection)
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rough idle
Fix: Valve cleaning
€300–600
2.0 / 2.4 D / D3 / D4 / D5 5-cyl (Volvo D5)
EGR valve / cooler
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–900
Crankcase breather (oil trap) clogging
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil leaks from seals, crankcase pressure
Fix: Replace oil trap / breather
€150–400
Turbo actuator
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Replace actuator
€300–800
1.6 HDi / TDCi / e-HDi (DV6, 8v / 16v)
Injector copper seal leak → carbon build-up
usually 80,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Ticking, diesel / soot smell, carbon around injectors
Fix: Replace seals early; remove carbon
€200–900
DPF additive (Eolys) / DPF
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: 'Additive level low' / DPF warning
Fix: Refill additive, clean or replace DPF
€150–1,200
EGR valve / cooler
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode, power loss
Fix: Clean or replace
€200–600
D3 / D4 / D5 (VEA diesel)
EGR / DPF
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Limp mode
Fix: Clean or replace
€300–1,500
T4 / T5 (VEA petrol)
Oil consumption (2016–2018)
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Low oil warning
Fix: Dealer consumption test; piston rings
€0–4,000
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Geartronic (Aisin / GM)
Aisin TF-80SC harsh shifts / valve body
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Harsh 2–3 / 3–4 shifts, flare
Fix: Fluid flush; valve body
€300–1,500
PowerShift MPS6 (wet, Getrag)
MPS6 fluid & clutch wear
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rough shifts when the fluid is old
Fix: Fluid change every 60,000 km
€200–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.5 / 1.6 EcoBoost (4-cyl) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 150,000 km or every 120 months | €450–900 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 95,243 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.6 % | 4.2 % | 5.8 % | 7.9 % | 8.8 % | 9.6 % |
| Suspension | 5.2 % | 7.5 % | 9.0 % | 10.0 % | 11.3 % | 11.7 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.2 % | 0.5 % | 0.7 % | 0.9 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 6.6 % | 7.7 % | 9.0 % | 10.0 % | 10.3 % | 10.4 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 3.5 % | 4.8 % | 8.9 % | 12.1 % | 14.8 % | 16.6 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.2 % | 1.2 % | 2.8 % | 4.0 % | 4.6 % | 4.8 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.5 % | 1.4 % | 3.1 % | 4.6 % | 5.3 % | 4.7 % |
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (8). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Engine / loss of power There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine components16/07/2020 · R/2020/210
- Engine / loss of power There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system08/07/2020 · R/2020/205
- Fire risk The engine's plastic inlet manifold may melt and deform07/10/2019 · R/2019/180
- Fuel system Small cracks on the inside of a rubber fuel hose04/01/2019 · R/2018/377
- Airbag One or more airbags may fail to deploy in the event of a collision03/01/2017 · R/2017/002
- Fire risk Coolant leakage may result in a fire26/10/2016 · R/2016/249
- Airbag Driver's airbag module may not deploy as intended01/06/2016 · R/2016/117
- Lights Cem software may malfunction25/03/2014 · R/2014/034
Other generations
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026