Recall Alert: Volvo S40 and V50

Volvo issued a recall for S40 and V50 models (23,000 in the U.S.; more overseas) because of a problem with a fuel pump. The pump sits exposed, which can lead to rust and corrosion, which in turn can cause the engine to stall unexpectedly. Who wants that?

The recall is for model years 2004 through 2006 and is concentrated in what Volvo calls “corrosion markets.” Hint: If your city uses salt to clear snow from your streets, or if you live in a rainy locale, you’re likely affected. In drier climates, Volvo has simply extended the car’s warranty.

Volvo Recalls 23,000 Vehicles (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Volvo to Make HD Radio Standard for 2009 Models

In manufacturers’ constant arms race to include better perks for drivers, Volvo will make HD radio receivers standard in almost all of its models beginning in the second half of 2008.

Still in relative infancy, HD radio promises better sound quality than standard radio and offers vastly expanded programming. This includes access to news, weather, school closings and other emergency information right on the display screen.

Far from a monolithic set of stations with the same programming whether you’re driving in Seattle, Kansas City or New York, HD radio varies geographically, offering different stations in different locations that will remind listeners of the quaint ways of old-fashioned AM/FM radio. Across the country, radio stations are making the switch to HD broadcasting. Nearly 2,000 stations either broadcast in HD or offer HD2 multicasts on the FM dial with no subscription fee.

While reception may be spotty in certain areas, that won’t be so different from driving through west Texas trying to find a decent classic rock station.

Interestingly, there are a few exclusions in Volvo’s list of models that will have HD radio. Not listed are the base S40 or V50, nor is the S60. That makes us wonder whether the S60 will be around in 2009.

Volvo May Drop S40 Sedan

The automotive market is a tricky one. Trends are constantly changing and models are dropped for various reasons, like slow sales or even a new CEO’s whim. One recent rumor we heard was that Volvo’s introductory sedan, the S40, was heading to the chopping block. That bit of news deserved some investigation.

The S40 sedan will indeed remain in the Volvo lineup for at least three years, but may be dropped from the lineup after that time period. Current plans call for the V50 to remain in the lineup longer than the S40, should the S40 be dropped. Volvo isn't sure it needs a three-sedan lineup — small S40, midsize S60, large S80 — especially because the S60 and S80 are similar in size. One of the scenarios under consideration is to drop the S40 and have a scaled-down version of the current S60 to cover the market where the S40 and S60 now compete, leaving the upper end to the S80. "This is one of many scenarios," a source said. "Don't take it to the bank yet."

"It makes sense to consolidate because everyone else in the auto industry is consolidating," said Joe Phillippi of AutoTrends, an automotive consulting firm.

"Volvo doesn't need three sedans,” Phillippi said. “The new C30 can serve the purpose of attracting younger, less-affluent buyers than the S40 now does. It costs a lot of money to refresh a car like the S40 every five years, though at Volvo it's more like six years, and money is very important to Volvo and any eventual partner." The Swedish automaker is owned by Ford but may be sold to help fund the company’s North American turnaround.

"Any new partner may not want to invest the money it would take to support three sedans, which is a very expensive proposition," Phillippi said.

Related
2008 Volvo S40 Unveiled (KickingTires)
More Volvo News (KickingTires)

Don't Forget the Wagon: 2008 Volvo V50

The Volvo S40's utilitarian sibling is the V50 wagon. Like the just-introduced 2008 S40, the V50 sees slight exterior changes and new interior enhancements.

Engine choices remain a 170-hp inline-five-cylinder for the base model and a turbocharged version in the T5 that makes 230 hp, which is 10 more hp than the engine in the previous T5 generated. 

Make sure to check the S40 post for more details on both vehicles. More photos of the V50, including a comparison between the 2007 and 2008 models, are below.