Volvo S40 Complaints (2001)

84 consumer complaints on file.

#10308527February 10, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10298521January 6, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10298168January 4, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10281474August 23, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10281475August 23, 2009
POWER TRAIN
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258434February 12, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245424October 14, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241866September 11, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236819August 4, 2008
STRUCTURE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207333October 29, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189130April 27, 2007
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185626March 20, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S40. THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE IDLED ROUGHLY. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TURNING ON. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. THE DEALER REPLACED THE O2 SENSOR THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HESITATE , AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86000. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184838March 12, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176297December 16, 2006
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT ISSUE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175767December 11, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174662November 29, 2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151851March 6, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147051January 6, 2006
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146258December 28, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141844November 5, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volvo S40