Hello all! I'm no stranger to Volvos, but I am new to the S40 world. I recently purchased a 2005 S40 2.4i with a manual transmission. So far, so good. The only mechanical defect I've noticed thus far, is that sometimes the engine has a faint ticking noise. No oil pressure light on.

I'm wondering though, what are some of the S40's common issues that I would do well to keep on the watch for?

 

Mine hasn't shown any bad habits like the earlier models so far. Maybe they are still too new. The only thing that jumps out at me is when folks upgrade the headlights to HID and end up burning up something in the CEM so that their wipers quit working. Apparently it's a bit more complicated than the eBay DIY kits suggest.

And don't buy a used ignition key off eBay either. You cannot program a used key to the car without a special code that is NOT included with the key. New OEM keys come with the code and your local dealer will have to program it to your car unless you have VIDA and a DiCE tool and instructions (and then maybe not, working on it).