Problems · NHTSA complaints
2007 Volvo S-Class problems
Owners filed 70 complaints about the 2007 Volvo S-Class with NHTSA between Jan 2007 and May 2024. The most-cited component is electrical system (16).
Complaints
70
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
9
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system16
- Structure8
- Engine8
- Air bags7
- Service brakes, hydraulic7
- Steering6
- Seat belts5
- Power train5
- Vehicle speed control4
- Engine and engine cooling4
- Visibility3
- Visibility/wiper3
- Exterior lighting3
- Electronic stability control (esc)3
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
5
1
5
9
1
1
9
4
6
5
4
5
2
3
3
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
16 reports1 fire1 related recall
“Warning light on dashboard indicated right front headlamp out. Repair shop removed and replaced original component with new component. Internal inspection of light assembly revealed missing insulation(photos attached) on wiring harness causing a short circuit which also ruined the headlight igniter and control module. Shop stated that this issue is NOT uncommon with Volvo lighting systems. The current concern is the same condition is present in the left(driver) headlight and could cause a short and fire within the headlight assembly. Correspondence with Volvo resulted in no resolution of the issue and lack of concern for the reliability of installed components or possible safety concern for their product.”
Structure
8 reports
“The contact owns a 2007 Volvo S80. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle during a rainstorm; rainwater leaked into the vehicle from the top section of the driver's side of the windshield, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.”
Engine
8 reports
“SAFETY CONCERN: 2007 VOLVO S40 ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE FAILURE - CAUSING "REDUCED ENGINE PERFORMANCE" MESSAGE AND VEHICLE (2007 VOLVO S40) SUDDENLY SLOWS DOWN WHILE IN MOTION, LIMPS AND CANNOT GO HIGHER SPEED. HAD BARELY EXITED THE FREEWAY ON 1/24/2017 AND THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS ON RAMP. COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPENED 1 MINUTE BEFORE WHEN ON FREEWAY. TURNED VEHICLE IN RIGHT AWAY TO LOCAL VOLVO DEALERSHIP (WHICH WAS LUCKILY WITHIN 15 MINUTES) AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT TO BE FAULTY ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE NEEDING REPLACEMENT. MILEAGE ON CAR 129,000 MILES. WANTED TO REPORT SO THIS ISSUE CAN BE LOOKED INTO FOR SAFETY CONCERN AND IF THE HUGE COST OF REPLACEMENT CAN BE OFFSET SO OWNERS CAN HAVE PEACE OF MIND REPLACING IT TIMELY IF THERE IS A RECOMMENDATION OR BULLETIN (SIMILAR TO TIMING BELTS ETC. - WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS CURRENTLY FOR ELECTRONIC THROTTLE MODULE).”
Air bags
7 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owned a 2007 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while the son was driving at an undetermined speed, the vehicle crashed into the rear of a truck. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged however no air bags deployed. The driver sustained a head injury, concussion, and a right knee injury. The front passenger sustained a head injury. One rear-seat passenger sustained a chest injury and the second rear-seat passenger suffered a concussion. Seating arraignments were unknown for the rear seat passengers. All occupants were transported to the hospital. A police report was filed at the scene and the vehicle was towed. During the crash, the vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.”
Service brakes, hydraulic
7 reports2 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“12/9/2011 WHILE ON AN INCLINE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH BRAKES FAILED, EVEN AFTER PRESSING PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, CAR FAILED TO STOP CAUSING COLLISION WITH VEHICLE IN FRONT DESPITE MORE THAN NECESSARY BRAKING DISTANCE MAINTAINED BETWEEN TWO VEHICLES AND UNDER CLEAR, SUNNY CONDITIONS. NOTE: DEALER HAD COMPLETED 10-POINT INSPECTION DURING OIL CHANGE 14 DAYS BEFORE OCCURRENCE. 8/2011 CAR FLOODED WITH WATER INTERNALLY AND ON FLOOR/CARPET. SECOND OCCURRENCE. SUNROOF DRAIN PIPES REPLACED AND CAR SEATS, CARPETS, FOAM PADDING REMOVED AND DRIED. OWNER REQUIRED TO PAY 50% OF COST OF LABOR AND PARTS, EVEN THOUGH WAS TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED IN 2/2011.2/2011 FIRST INCIDENT OF CAR FLOOD WITH WATER INTERNALLY AND ON FLOOR/CARPET. SUNROOF REPLACED AND CAR SEATS, CARPETS, FOAM PADDING REMOVED AND DRIED. SUNROOF REPLACED BY VOLVO, OWNER INCURRED LABOR COSTS. WARRANTY EXPIRED 2 MONTHS AND 1 WEEK BEFORE TAKEN IN. CAR HAD UNDERGONE 22500 MILE CHECK WITH NOTHING NOTICED BY VOLVO WHILE UNDER WARRANTY! REGULAR MAINTENANCE WAS DONE AT DEALERS AT RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE AND DEALER PERFORMED STATE-REQUIRED SAFETY AND EMISSION INSPECTIONS. *TR”
Steering
6 reports1 related recall
“I WAS DRIVING AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AS THE POWER STEERING SHUT DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO STEER MY VEHICLE WITH DIFFICULTY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT STOPPED. ABOUT ONE WEEK LATER THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME I WAS COMING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND HAD TO AIM MY VEHICLE IN A WAY TO AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. BOTH TIME, AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE AGAIN. LAST FRIDAY, MAY 3, I PULLED MY VEHICLE OVER AND WHEN I STOPPED THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THIS TIME IT DID NOT RESTART. THE ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE DASH WAS THAT THE "STEERING WAS LOCKED, TRY AGAIN." AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS INCLUDING JUMP STARTING THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS UNNECESSARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST VOLVO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE "STEERING COLUMN LOCK" HAD FAILED. THE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $830.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.