Problems · by component

2005 Volvo S-Class electrical system problems

30 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Volvo S-Class cite electrical system, 21% of all 140 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
30
21% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact's wife owns a 2005 Volvo S40. The contact stated the vehicle was difficult to start for several days. Eventually, the failure progressed and the vehicle was not able to start. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was repaired by the contact, a previous Volvo technician. The contact stated the failure was due to the pump electrical module being located out of the vehicle. The contact spoke with the dealer. The contact referenced The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2024Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11578530
“FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE (PEM) FAILS DURING WET CONDITIONS. CAR WILL CRANK LIKE NORMAL BUT WILL NOT START. LET CAR DRY OUT FOR A FEW DAYS AND THEN THE CAR WILL RUN NORMAL AGAIN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2017Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10985089
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO TURN AND PREVENTED THE VEHICLE FROM STARTING. THE BATTERY WAS TESTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2017Electrical systemODI 10954466
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL AND ENTIRE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AS THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER, RADIO, HORN AND SUN ROOF FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN ACTIVATED. THE SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM, FRONT AXLES AND STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 28, 2016Suspension, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 10861933
“2005 VOLVO S40 FAULTY WIRE IN IGNITION SWITCH. CAR FAILS TO START. NO MESSAGES INITIALLY, THEN IMMOBILIZER LIGHT INDICATED. UNSURE OF EQUIPMENT MODEL. ORIGINAL TO FACTORY INSTALLED. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 2, 2015Electrical system, EquipmentODI 10691394
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S80. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S SPEED REDUCED AND "REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE" APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TWO YEARS AGO. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ETM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 5, 2015Electrical system, EngineODI 10681440

Showing 6 of 30 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: solenoid

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE FACTORY ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION, THE B+TERMINAL MAY BE IN CONFLICT WITH THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE B+TERMINAL AND THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID MAY DEVELOP INTO A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE BATTERY CABLE TO GROUND.

Electrical systemReported Nov 17, 2005NHTSA 05V529000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.