NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Volvo S40. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
ME AN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR AN IT STARTED TO RUN HOT SO WE WENT AN GOT THE PART TO GO ON THE CAR AN WHEN WHEN WE GOT BACK TO MY FATHER IN LAW HOUSE THE CAR CUT OFF AN STARTED TO SMOKE REAL BAD THEN WENT INTO FLAMES AN WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE CAR WE GOT EVERYTHING FIX ON IT AN THEN WHEN YOU PLUG THE MONTIOR TO THE THE CAR IT SAID WE HAD TEN CODES UP THERE AN THEY WAS THE SAME CODES THAT WAS ON THE CAR AN WE KNOW WE HAD GOT EVERYTHING FIX ON THE CAR AN WE WAS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR NO WE OUT OF A CAR CAUSE IT WENT INTO FLAMES.
IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN PAST POSITION 2 ALLOWING FOR ENGINE STARTING. THE VEHICLE WITH STATIONARY IN PARK.
I BOUGHT A 2001 VOLVO S40 FROM TOM BLEVINS OWNER OF POPPLES GARAGE. THE ODOMETER QUIT WORKING AS SOON AS I BOUGHT IT. THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD HAVE TO BE LEFT IN THE IGNITION. THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW GOT STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION BECAUSE OF A FAULTY CONTROLLER. THE HOOD HYDRAULIC ARM THAT HOLDS THE HOOD UP WHEN IT'S RAISED DOES NOT WORK AND HAS TO BE PROPPED UP WITH A WOOD BLOCK. HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK. THERE ARE MORE PROBLEMS TO DISCUSS BUT I AM OUT OF SPACE.
I'VE CONTACTED VOLVO AND DEMANDED MY MONEY BACK AND THEY REFUSED, THIS IS MY NEXT STEP BEFORE TAKING THEM TO COURT FOR A MEASILY 2,500. THIS CAR HAS CAUSED ME A HEADACHE UNLIKE ANY OTHER, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS IN THIS CAR AND PASSES THROUGH IT MALFUNCTIONING ONE THING AFTER THE NEXT, MY BACK WINDOW WENT UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS DO WHACKY THINGS WHICH RUINED THE CAR MAKING IT OVERHEAT EVEN AFTER SHOPS REPLACE SENSORS AND RADIATORS, THE MAIN SAFETY CONCERN WHICH VOLVO IS SUPPRESSING IS THAT THE ELECTRICAL GHOST ALSO AFFECTS THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND ACCELERATES, THIS IS A MAIN CONCERN WHEN YOU'RE ON AN EXPRESSWAY ESPECIALLY, IT ACCELERATES AND YOU CANNOT HOLD THE BRAKE DOWN HARD ENOUGH TO SLOW DOWN, AND IT'LL DO IT AT RANDOM, AND I KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR VOLVO BECAUSE I HAVE A 1990 WHEN IT WAS VOLVO AND NOT BOUGHT MY AN AMERICAN COMPANY AND THAT CAR IS PERFECT, AND A COP TALKED TO ME FOR ABOUT AN HOUR JUST BEFORE THESE BIGGER ISSUES STARTED HAPPENING, HE'D OWNED A DEALERSHIP AND SAID THIS YEAR VOLVO HAS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, AND AT THAT TIME I KNEW HE WAS ONTO SOMETHING BECAUSE THE AIR AND HEAT BUTTONS WERE DOING ALL KINDS OF STRANGE THINGS, I WAS EVEN IN AN ACCIDENT ONCE, A LITTLE FENDER BENDER THANKFULLY JUST ON A SIDE STREET, MY CAR WOULDN'T SLOW DOWN AND IT SKIDDED ALL T HE WAY TO THE LIGHT AND I DENTED SOMEONE'S BUMPER, THEY LET ME SLIDE BECAUSE THEIR CAR WAS A JALOPY, BUT I'VE HAD THIS SAME ELECTRICAL FAILURE HAPPENING ON EXPRESSWAYS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS
CAR CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING AS I WAS DRIVING IT. CAR HAD 93,000 AND HAD PASSED VA INSPECTION IN AUGUST. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED 911. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED 3 MINUTES LATER, ENTIRE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN LARGE FLAMES. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEVER INDICATED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT. USAA REMOVED THE VEHICLE, AND I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THEY WILL INSPECT IT FOR CAUSE, BUT I SUSPECT AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION.
THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO PASS INSPECTION. THE FOLLOWING PARTS WERE CHANGE AIR CLEANER ASSEMBLY, AIR CLEANER SENSOR, FUEL SYSTEM FILTER, FUEL SYSTEM VENT HOSE, FUEL SYSTEM GROUND STRAP, FUEL SYSTEM COVER, FUEL SYSTEM GASKET AND FUEL SYSTEM PUMP SENDER ASSEMBLY. MY SON HAD 3 TICKETS FOR NO INSPECTION. I RESEARCH THE VEHICLE AND IT STATED THAT PEOPLE PAY VOLVO $150.00 TO PASS THE INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT HE DID WORK ON ANOTHER VOLVO S40 2000 AND WHEN A COMPLAINT WAS PLACED THE VOLVO FIX THE PROBLEM. I BOUGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE I CANNOT EFFORT TO KEEP GETTING TICKETS AND PAYING TO REPLACE EVERYTHING ON MY VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER FAN STOPPED OPERATING AND THE DEFROSTER FUNCTION WAS AFFECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V169000 (EQUIPMENT). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
WHILE DRIVING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WENT ON.BRAKE PEDAL GOT SOFT & SLOWLY WENT TO FLOOR. WHEN VEHICLE WAS CHECKED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES TO REAR BRAKES HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND WERE LEAKING FLUID. MASTER CYLINDER WAS ALMOST EMPTY. THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS CAR ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MADE OF A RUST RESISTANT NICKEL/COPPER MATERIAL BUT THEY RUSTED THROUGH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH AND CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD AND NECK INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
MY CAR VIBRATES WHENEVER I REACH 60 MPH AND CONTINUES TO VIBRATES IF I TRY TO ACCELERATE BUT STOPS WHEN I DECELERATE. I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE A BALANCE PROBLEM BUT WHY WOULD THE WHOLE CAR VIBRATE? I WAS ALSO TOLD IT MAY BE WORN OR OLD MOTOR MOUNTS, WHICH I BELIEVE THAT MORE THAN IT BEING A BALANCE PROBLEM. I JUST NEED TO KNOW FOR CERTAIN SO I KNOW WHAT TO HAVE REPLACED AND HOW MUCH I MAY HAVE TO SPEND. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AS THE VEHICLE STALLED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 107,000.
I PURCHASED A VOLVO FOR THEIR REPUTATION ON SAFETY. SO WHY DOES OUR VOLVO HAVE AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM? I COULD BE AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE CAR REVS UP TO 2000 RPM'S AND STARTS TO GO WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WITH ME ALMOST HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME THEN WHEN WE FIRST START UP THE CAR THE BRAKES DON'T WORK? THE CAR STILL ROLLS. WHAT'S GOING ON WITH VOLVO THEIR MAKING ME THINK THEIR JUST AS BAD AS TOYOTA! *TR
ENGINE STALLED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN A MOVING MOTION. A CRACKED CASE OF THE BREATHER SENSOR DAMAGED IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND BLOWN THE FUSE FOR THE ENGINE SENSORS.THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. LUCKILY, I WAS NOT ON HIGH WAY AND RUNNING 65 MILES A HOUR. MY SON AND I WOULD BE KILLED. WITHOUT WARNING, ONE FAILED SENSOR BLOWN OTHER ENGINE SENSORS' FUSE THAT ON THE SAME CIRCUIT. NO DOUBT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL DESIGNING PROBLEM WITH THIS KIND CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S40. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK AT APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF YET THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,400.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETAIN THE DRIVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2001 VOLVO S40 SUDDENLY STARTS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED I AM TRAVELLING. IT CAN HAPPEN AT SLOW SPEEDS OR HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON OR OFF. IT HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER MY FOOT IS ON THE BREAK OR THE ACCELERATOR. IN OTHER WORDS, I CAN HAVE MY FEET COMPLETELY OFF BOTH PEDALS AND THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CAR IS BY BREAKING EXTREMELY HARD - AND THAT BARELY STOPS THE CAR. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WHEN I FINALLY AM ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND PUT IN IN PARK, THE CAR ACCELERATES EVEN MORE. THE CARE ACCELERATES INTO THE 7,000 TO 8,000 RPM RANGE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 86,000. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE WATER PUMP AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 04/19/11
MY 2001 VOLVO S40 HAS ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN, WHETHER IT IS IN PARK, DRIVE OR NEUTRAL MODE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF BUT MOST RECENTLY FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS. MY MECHANIC HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
2001 VOLVO S40 SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR OR TWO THE LUG NUTS ON THE TIRES HAVE WORKED THEIR WAY LOOSE TO THE POINT OF ALMOST HAVING THE TIRE FALL OFF DESPITE WORK PERFORMED AT EXPERIENCE VOLVO DEALERSHIPS OR MECHANIC SHOPS. *TR
I BOUGHT A 2001 VOLVO S40 IN JUNE 2009. I NOTICED RIGHT AWAY THAT THE BRAKES DIDN'T SEEM TO WORK PROPERLY, AS THE STOPPING DISTANCE WAS FAR TOO LONG. THEY ASSURED ME THE BRAKES WERE BRAND NEW. AFTER DRIVING IT A FEW WEEKS, I BECAME VERY NERVOUS ABOUT THE BRAKES BECAUSE I HAD COME CLOSE TO REAR ENDING SEVERAL PEOPLE. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT AND ASKED THEM TO DOUBLE CHECK THE BRAKES. THEY DID SO AND STATED THAT THEY WERE FINE. SO, I DROVE EXTRA CAUTIOUSLY FROM THEN ON. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY NEVER GAVE ME ANY DOCUMENTATION AND I NEVER ASKED FOR IT. THEY JUST CHECKED THE BRAKES AND SENT ME ON MY WAY, REASSURING ME THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, ON DECEMBER 28TH, 2009, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN COMING TO AN INTERSECTION. I WAS JUST BEGINNING TO SLOW DOWN (NOT EVEN TRYING TO STOP YET) AND THE BRAKE WOULD NOT GO DOWN FURTHER. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, AND IT DID NOT RELEASE. I AGAIN TRIED TO PUSH DOWN THE PEDAL, AND IT DID NOT GO DOWN. I REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH MY SAME YEAR AND MODEL HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS, BOTH WITH THE STOPPING DISTANCE AND THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE NEXT MORNING, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE VOLVO DEALER IN INDIANAPOLIS. THEY INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THEY ALSO VERIFIED THAT THE RECALLED VACUUM PUMP HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. FROM THERE I TOOK MY CAR TO THE BODY SHOP FOR AN ESTIMATE OF THE DAMAGE FROM THE ACCIDENT, WHICH WAS $2,2604.96. UPON LEAVING THE BODY SHOP, I BRAKED AT A YELLOW LIGHT, AND ONCE AGAIN, MY BRAKES WOULD NOT GO DOWN AND I WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. I HAD MY CAR TOWED BACK TO THE VOLVO DEALER. I MADE A CLAIM WITH VOLVO COMPANY, WHO HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AND SAID THE VACUUM PUMP AND PRESSURE VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $750. I ASKED FOR AN ESTIMATED TRADE-IN VALUE AFTER THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY FIXED. THEY STATED THAT THEY. *TR
I'D LIKE TO REPORT UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN MY VOLVO S40. IT STARTED LAST SUMMER AND OCCURRED SPORADICALLY UNTIL WINTER AND HAS NOT OCCURRED SINCE THEN. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE DURING THIS TIME AND I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER. SEVERAL TIMES LAST SUMMER I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION THAT REQUIRED EXTRA HARD BREAKING TO MAKE THE CAR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE GIVING ITSELF GAS EVEN WHILE I WAS BRAKING TO COME TO A STOP, REQUIRING THAT I PRESS THE BRAKE EXTRA HARD. THIS PROBLEMS SOUNDS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE ARE HEARING IN THE NEWS ABOUT TOYOTAS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S40. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS COLD, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK UNLESS THE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED 6 TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S40. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE INVESTIGATED AND NOTICED THAT THE EXHAUST PIPE WAS LOOSE FROM THE BASE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT A WARRANTY WAS OFFERED FOR THE DEFECT; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WILL BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,000. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000. UPDATED 3/5/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFECT IS THE FLEX PIPE PRIOR TO THE CONVERTER. WHEN THE FLEX PIPE FAILS EXHAUST ENTERS THE VEHICLE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S40. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, AND DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MOSTLY WHILE IDLING AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED OVER TIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE AND THE VIBRATION WAS TYPICAL. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A VOLVO SPECIALIST AND HE DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S40. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A COOLANT FLUSH WAS NEEDED. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. A MONTH LATER, THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND SMOKE APPEARED. SHE NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A NEW ENGINE AND RADIATOR WERE NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,524. UPDATED 10-29-08 *BF
SOMETHING, POSSIBLY A RAIL, FLEW OFF OF MY VOLVO S40 (2001) ON THE HIGHWAY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE SUNROOF WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE BECAUSE OF GETTING HUNG UP ON THE SUNSHADE. WHEN I BROUGHT IT INTO THE SHOP, I LEARNED THAT THE RAILS WHICH HAD HELD THE SUNROOF IN PLACE HAD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE GLASS BECAUSE THE GLUE APPLIED IN THE FACTORY TO ATTACH THE METAL RAILS TO THE GLASS WAS NO LONGER EVEN VISIBLE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE RAIL HIT ANOTHER CAR WHEN IT FLEW OFF THE CAR, BUT THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE HAD VERY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.
I HAVE A 2001 VOLVO S40. AT ABOUT 90,000 MILES THE GEAR SHIFT BUTTON BROKE. NOW YOU CAN CHANGE THE GEARS WITH OUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN SO I HAVE TO KEEP MY CAR LOCKED AT ALL TIMES WHEN I'M NOT IN IT. IF THEY WERE TO BE IN IT THEY COULD PULL IT OUT OF PARK WITH NO PROBLEM AND THE CAR WOULD START TO ROLL. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I'M SURE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE SHIFTER ON THE INTERNET IS OVER $250.00 TO FIX IT THEN YOU HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT PUT IN. *TR
I HAVE A 2001 VOLVO S40 WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. IN THE MORNINGS WHEN I GET IN MY CAR AND BACK UP I HAVE TO ALMOST STAND UP ON THE BRAKES TO STOP MY CAR. I HAVE ALMOST WENT OUT IN FRONT OF OTHERS CARS BECAUSE MY BRAKES WILL NOT HARDLY STOP. THIS OCCURS DAILY. IF MY CAR SITS FOR A FEW HOURS IT DOES IT ALL OVER AGAIN. THIS TO ME IS A SAFTY ISSUE BECAUSE ONE DAY THEY ARE NOT GOING TO STOP AND I'LL HAVE A WRECK. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN MY CAR. I THOUGHT VOLVO WAS SUPPOSE TO BE ONE OF THE SAFEST CARSS ONE THE ROAD BUT SOMEONE DIDN'T DO ENOUGH RESEARCH. I HAVE BUMPED MY HUSBANDS TRUCK TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. AND I HAVE ALSO HAD TO USE THE E-BRAKE TO STOP MORE THAN ONCE. SOME ONE NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR ONLY HAS 110,000 MILES ONE IT. I HAD A 1993 VOLVO 850 BEFORE THIS ONE AND IT HAD 207,000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT WAS WRECKED AND I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S40. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED LONGER THAN 2 HOURS THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,131 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AT 88000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S40. EACH MORNING, THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL. THE CONTACT HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE BRAKES BECAME OPERATIONAL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V474000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 01V169000 CONCERNING EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:AIR CONDITIONER DUE TO THE VIN ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALER TO BE SERVICED, VOLKSWAGEN INTERNATIONAL STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL AND COULD DO NOTHING TO HELP. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 92,000 ,AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. *AK UPDATED 05/23/07 *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH AND ENTERED THE LIMP HOME MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL #06V441000, WHICH PERTAINS TO THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
SEAT BELT ISSUE. *JB
A DEFECT HAS OCCURRED SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2005. THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 VOLVO S40 . THE DEFECT IS WITH A RESISTOR FOR THE HEATER BLOWER MOTOR THAT OPERATES ERRATICALLY. THIS TYPE OF DEFECT WAS IDENTIFIED AS NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 01V169000. THE DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR FOR FREE. THE RESISTOR THAT IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THEY CLAIM THAT THERE ARE NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE CLARIFY IF THIS RESISTOR DEFECT IS INCLUDED UNDER THE RECALL. *JB
2001 VOLVO S40. WHEN YOU START THE CAR AIR BLOWS HARD INSIDE THE CAR EVEN THOUGH THE FAN KNOB IS ON "0". WILL NOT TURN OFF, DRIVE OR PARK. PROBLEM APPEARED ALL OF A SUDDEN 10 DAYS AGO AND IS PERSISTENT AND CONSISTENT. OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL HAVE IDENTICAL ISSUE, FROM VOLVOFORUMS.COM. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGES ARE OUT OF SYNC AND LOCK TOGETHER WHICH CAUSES A LOSS OF VISIBILITY. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARMS. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO OPEN THE HOUSING ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM AND TIGHTEN THE BOLT. THE CONTACT DID AS INSTRUCTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. AFTERWARDS, THE PROBLEM RETURNED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE LINKAGE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY PERFORMED THE SAME REPAIR THAT WAS INSTRUCTED BY MANUFACTURER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE ENGINE WOULD HESITATE WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE OXYGEN SENSOR. UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB
CONSISTENT ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH 2001 VOLVO S40 RESULTING IN ENGINE DELAYS, IDLING, PAUSING, OVER HEATING AND BURNING WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AND AT BOTH ACCELERATED (65 MPH) AND RESIDENTIAL (35 MPH) SPEEDS. *NM
I OWN A 2001 VOLVO S40. IN EARLY APRIL 2005, MY VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS BEING IN NEED OF OXYGEN SENSORS, WHICH WAS THE REASON FOR MY "CHECK ENGINE" TO BE ACTIVATED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 25,000 MILES ON IT. AS OF MID OCTOBER 2005, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS BEEN REACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED AT THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP AS NEEDING NEW OXYGEN SENSORS-AGAIN. CURRENTLY, MY CAR HAS 32,000 MILES AND IS GOING ON ITS THIRD SET OF OXYGEN SENSORS. THE PARTS AND LABOR THAT ARE REQUIRED TO FIX THE PROBLEM ARE TRULY EXPENSIVE. ALL MY COMPLAINTS TO VOLVO HAVE FALLEN ON DEAF EARS. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A RESULT OF POOR ENGINEERING SKILLS, OR WORSE YET, INTELLIGENT ENGINEERING THAT IS INTENDED TO KEEP THE CUSTOMERS SPENDING ON COSTLY REPAIRS. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AT ANY SPEED DURING ACCELERATION. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
I HAVE A 2001 VOLVO, MODEL S40. DURING THE LAST SIX MONTHS, I'VE EXPERIENCED A STALLED CAR ENGINE -- ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT. WHEN THE STALL HAPPENS, I MUST FLOOR THE ACCELERATOR TO RESTART THE ENGINE AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THOSE ALREADY REPORTED TO THE NHTSA FOR OTHER VOLVO MODELS FOR THE YEARS 1999 TO 2001. *JB
A 1010 WINS NEW STORY ALERTED ME TO THE FACT THAT I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS WITH MY VOLVO S40 VIN#: [XXX]. I LOSE SPEED AS I AM DRIVING AND THE ENGINE FEELS AS IF IT IS GOING TO STOP AT ANY MOMENT. THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE IS 2001. *NM UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
DT: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 75-80 MPH AND REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
BRAKES DO NOT STOP THE CAR FOR THE FIRST FEW APPLICATIONS. PEDAL DOES NOT FADE. EXCESSIVE PEDAL PRESSURE REQUIRED. SOME OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL ARE BEING RECALLED FOR THE SAME COMPLAINT. NO CRASH, INJURIES OR ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF FAILURE.*AK
VEHICLE HESITATES UPON ACCERLERATION , ALMOST TO THE POINT IT FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS GOING TO STALL. I HAD THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL VOLVO DEALER BACK IN NOVEMEBER OF 2004, BUT AFTER $700.00 IN DIAGNOSTIC CHARGES NO PROBLEM WAS DETECTED.
WHEN ACCELERATING VEHICLE WOULD DOWN SHIFT GEARS. THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK THE DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION JERKING OCCURRED, THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THERE WOULD BE A BURNING OIL SMELL, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT RELEASE AND WOULD STICK INTERMITTENTLY, THE STEERING WHEEL SQUEAKED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD SQUEAK, AND THE SPEAKER WAS ERRATIC. *SC TRHE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE OUT, THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. *JB
I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY WHEN THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS A LEASE THAT I HAD JUST AGREED TO BUY THAT MORNING, SO I CALLED VOLVO CONSUMER AFFAIRS THE NEXT DAY (4/16/04) AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT TO THE SMYTHE DEALERSHIP SO THAT THEY COULD SEND AN INSPECTOR TO INVESTIGATE. I ALSO TOLD VOLVO THAT I HAD NO INTENTION OF BUYING THE CAR ANYMORE SINCE THE CAR WAS DEFECTIVE. I LEFT THE CAR AT THE SMYTHE DEALERSHIP ON 4/17/04 AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THE SITUATION AND THAT VOLVO WOULD BE SENDING AN INSPECTOR. I CALLED VOLVO ON 4/19/04 TO LET THEM KNOW THE CAR WAS THERE AND AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE 10 DAYS TO INVESTIGATE. IT TOOK VOLVO UNTIL THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE TO GET BACK TO ME WITH RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION. I FOLLOWED UP WITH THEM SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY GAVE ME SEVERAL DIFFERENT EXCUSES LIKE THEY DID NOT KNOW THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THAT THE DEALER MISTAKENLY SENT THE CAR TO MILWAUKEE. IN THE END ONCE THEY FOUND THE CAR AND INVESTIGATED, VOLVO TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THAT IT WAS PRODUCT FAILURE BECAUSE THE CAR HAD PASSED THROUGH TOO MANY HANDS. I SAID THAT IT WAS THEIR FAULT IT PASSED THROUGH TOO MANY HANDS. I ALSO SAID AN AIRBAG SHOULD NOT DEPLOY UNLESS THEIR IS IMPACT. THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS UNTRUE AND SOMETIMES THEY DEPLOY DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSORS. I THEN SAID THAT SENSORS ARE ALSO PART OF THE PRODUCT AND IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH A SENSOR IT IS PRODUCT FAILURE. THEY SAID THAT EXTERNAL FORCES COULD AFFECT THE SENSORS, SO IT IS NOT PRODUCT FAILURE. THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE FAILURE EXCEPT TELL ME THEY WOULD PAY FOR MY DISPOSITION FEE AND OVERAGE MILES IF I LEASE ANOTHER VOLVO. WHEN I HAD DECIDED TO BUY THE CAR IN APRIL, I WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PAY EITHER OF THOSE, SO BASICALLY VOVLO IS DOING NOTHING FOR ME BECAUSE IN THEIR OPINION THE INCIDENT WAS NOT PRODUCT FAILURE. *AK
MY 2001 VOLVO S40 HAS A LITTLE OVER 16,000 MILES. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, ONCE BY THE DEALER UNDER WARRANTY AND TWICE AT MY EXPENSE. WE ALSO HAVE ANOTHER S40 IN THE HOUSEHOLD WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF BRAKES NEEDING REPLACEMENT FREQUENTLY. I HAVE NOTICED ALLOT OF PEOPLE ON INTERNET SITES WITH S40'S COMPLAINING OF THE SAME FREQUENT BRAKE REPLACEMENT PROBLEM. I DO BELIEVE THERE IS SOME SORT OF BRAKE PAD DEFECT OR DESIGN DEFECT ON S40'S. THERE IS NO REASON WHY OWNERS OF THESE CARS SHOULD BE CONSTANTLY REPLACING BRAKE PADS. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS COMPLAINT FOR ME AND THE THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS. *NM
I HAD MY VOLVO S40 INTO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM (KEYSTONE, PA) 5 TIMES FOR A SQUEAK IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. EACH TIME WE WERE TOLD THEY COULDN'T LOCATE THE PROBLEM BUT THEY COULD HEAR THE SQUEAK. ON THE 6 VISIT THEY GAVE US A LOANER AND TOOK THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THEN CALLED US AND TOLD US THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM.... THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALL THOSE VISITS AND THEY JUST FIGURED OUT IT WAS THE BRAKES PLUS THE CAR ONLY HAS 14,000 MILES. WHAT KIND OF SMALL, LIGHT SPORTS CAR NEEDS REAR BRAKES AT 14,000. THIS CAR IS ONLY DRIVEN BY MY WIFE TO HER JOB THAT IS ABOUT 5 MILES AWAY. AFTER ALL THIS MESS I WILL BE TRADING IN MY S40 AND NEVER RECOMMEND OR PURCHASE A VOLVO AGAIN. SO MUCH FOR VOLVO'S REPUTATION. I READ OTHER PEOPLE'S COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES ON THIS SITE AND IT ONLY STRENGHTHEN THE CONSUMERS CASE ABOUT THE BRAKE PROBLEMS. *AK
WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF FOR ALONG PERIOD OF TIME. *AK
REAR BRAKES WORN OUT AT 20,000 MILES AND 5 HEADLIGHT BULBS ALREADY REPLACED. 2 BRAKE SHOPS TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY TO GET THIS MUCH OUT OF THEM! *LA