Vehicle recall R/2011/163

Volvo S40 and others recall: Fluid may leak into wiring harness which may cause fire

DVSA recall R/2011/163 names the Volvo S40, Volvo C30, Volvo V50 and Volvo C70. It was launched 1 December 2011. DVSA does not record the build dates for this recall.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2011/163
Launched: 1 December 2011
Issued by: VOLVO CAR
Manufacturer reference: R39247
Vehicles: 53,203 across the whole recall

What can go wrong

A number of Volvo C30S40V50 and C70 may experience a problem with washer fluid leaking inside the washer pump unit through the wires into the central control electronic module. This can impact on a number of different features of the vehicle but in the most serious case it may lead to a fire.

The fix

The solution is to replace and then modify the wiring harness for the washer fluid pump. In addition to this the washer pump connector will be inspected for any signs of corrosion and the washer pump will be replaced if necessary

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. DVSA gives one vehicle number for the whole recall: 53,203.
Model	Built
Volvo C30	not recorded
Volvo C70	not recorded
Volvo S40	not recorded
Volvo V50	not recorded

Is a specific car affected? A recall lists models and build dates, not individual vehicles, so these pages cannot tell you whether one car is included. Enter the registration on the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK, or give the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the manufacturer or one of its dealers. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done.

Other recalls for these models

R/2011/127 Clutch pedal mechanism may fail 7 September 2011, Volvo V50, Volvo C30, Volvo C70 and others
R/2011/075 Brakes may not perform as expected 28 June 2011, Volvo V50, Volvo C30, Volvo S40
R/2011/031 Support member may crack 23 March 2011, Volvo S40, Volvo V50, Volvo C30
R/2011/019 Fire may occur 18 February 2011, Volvo C30, Volvo V50, Volvo S40
R/2010/233 Passenger seat may not be fitted correctly 22 December 2010, Volvo V50, Volvo S60, Volvo S40 and others
R/2010/224 Fire may occur 3 December 2010, Volvo S60, Volvo S40, Volvo C30 and others

Found one you might buy?

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Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA vehicle recall records (RecallsFile.csv), recalls launched 1992 to 2026. Recall data updated 22 September 2026.

Recall wording is DVSA's, with capitals and punctuation tidied and American spellings such as tire, center and windshield given in British English. On this page we also replaced a word that reads as a rating or an endorsement with a plain one. We list a recall when its make and model match a car or van family with at least 1,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, and when the maker of the vehicle issued it.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. Methodology · Data sources