Volvo S40 Complaints

491 consumer complaints on file.

#9003503July 24, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CRUNCHING NOISES ON APPLYING THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING. CLANKING NOISE ON BACKING UP. DRAGGING AND TUGGING FEELING WHILE DRIVING. ALL 4 BRAKE LININGS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED VERY EARLY. MAINLY PERFORM LOCAL DRIVING. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE WARNING THAT BRAKES WERE WEARING PREMATURELY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#748448July 14, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
REAR BRAKES GO ON AVERAGE AT 8,000-16,000 MILES, WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE. I ALSO HAVE CONITINUOUS PROBLEMS STOPPING MY CAR, WHICH THE DEALER SAYS THE CANNOT DUPLICATE. THE PROBLEMS ARE NOT RELATED TO THE REAR BRAKES NEEDING REPLACEMENT. I BELIEVE IT IS MORE A HYDRAULICS PROBLEM. THERE IS A BULLETIN OUT THERE FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT DEALER STATES DOES NOT APPLY TO MY CAR. I HAVE FOUND AVER 50 OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I WILL REFER TO THIS SITE. AS FOR GAS CONSUMPTION, IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE A SAFETLY ISSUE. MILEAGE WAS 21 MPG, DROPPED TO 16.5. DEALER MESSED WITH TRIP COMPUTER TO MAKE ME THINK MY MILEAGE IMPROVED, HOWEVER UPON MY DIVISION SKILLS IT IS STILL THE SAME AS WHEN I TOOK IT IN. THIS DECEPTIVE PRACTICE DOESN'T MAKE ME VERY HAPPY THAT THEY JUST REPAIRED MY REAR BRAKES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#748454July 14, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#748082July 8, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES FAILED (2ND TIME) WHEN BEING CUT-OFF ON THE ROAD. IF I TURN RIGHT AND HIT THE BRAKES QUICKLY, THEY FAIL AND SKID FOR A WHILE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#748113July 8, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT IT IS A TRANSAXLE PROBLEM, AND THEY "HAVE NO IDEA WHY IT IS HAPPENING" (SIC) . THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN A LOUD SCREECHING BEGAN, AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER, SUPPLYING POWER OFF AND ON TO ONLY ONE WHEEL, JERKING THE CAR AROUND THE ROAD WITH MINIMAL CONTROL, ALMOST CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPENED AT 40 MILES PER HOUR, THE SAME LOUD SCREECH, FOLLOWED BY AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER, FORCING US TO COAST ACROSS 4 LANES OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE CURB. THIS PROBLEM HAS NO WARNING AND POSES A SERIOUS THREAT TO OUR SAFETY WHENEVER WE DRIVE THIS CAR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#561912July 6, 2001
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED THAT THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE NEEDE TO BE REPLACED, CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP, COINCIDENTALLY CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (01V-169) FOR A DEFECTIVE DIODE IN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE OF THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM, VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME AND THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO THE AIR MASS METER.*YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#561662June 15, 2001
SUSPENSION:FRONT, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC., VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY PULLS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, THE DEALER HAS PERFORMED NUMEROUS ALIGNMENTS BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#746421June 4, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VOLVO CLAIMS SPLASH PAN DESIGN IS NOT AT FAULT BUT SEVERAL ORIGINAL OWNERS HAVE HAD PROBLEMS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#888372May 16, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH STALLING WHILE DECELERATING AND/OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#744793May 1, 2001
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
I CONTACTED MY VOLVO DEALER 3 MONTHS AGO FOR REPLACEMENT WHIPPER BLADES. THE PARTS MANAGER EXPLAINED THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART IS DEFECTIVE. IT "WOBBLES" ON THE WINDSHIELD. HE SAID TO WAIT 2 MONTHS FOR NEW ONE. I CONTACTED HIM A WEEK AGO AND THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER PUT A SET ON MY CAR AND SHOWED ME HOW THEY WILL WOBBLE AND FALL OFF. I CONTACTED VOLVO USA AND WAS TOLD "THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT ARE NOT MAKING ANY CHANGES." THEY FELT THEY WOULD ONLY FALL OFF IF THE WIPER WAS LIFTED FROM THE WINDSHIELD LIKE FOR CLEANING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#744583April 26, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
THE BRAKE PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL IN THIS MODEL. ADDITIONALLY THEY ARE ON THE SAME LEVEL, THAT IS THEY ARE ON THE SAME PLANE WHEN THE BRAKE IS FULLY DEPRESSED. IF THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS NOT COMPLETELY ON THE BRAKE WHEN IT IS DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL CAN BE INADVERTANTLY PRESSED. THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL IS 62 MM (2.44 INCHES). I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT THE AUDI WAS HAVING WHEN DRIVERS THOUGHT THAT THEY WERE PUSHING ON THE BRAKE WHEN HALF THEIR FOOT WAS ON THE GAS. HAVING THE PEDALS ON DIFFERENT LEVELS AVOIDS THIS PROBLEM COMPLETELY. LOOK AT THE OLD VW BUG WITH ITS RESTRICTED SPACE. NO PROBLEM THERE. I HAVE ALSO REPORTED THIS PROBLEM THE VOLVO. I WOULD SUGGEST A RISER KIT TO BRING THE BRAKE UP ABOUT AN INCH SO THE DRIVER HAS TO LIFT HIS/HER FOOT UP OFF THE GAS TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE. I DON'T WANT TO MODIFY THIS CAR SINCE IT IS SO NEW, THE DELER WILL NOT MODIFY IT BECAUSE OF WARRANTEE ISSUES (BY THE WAY THEIR MECHANIC SAID HE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN). COULD NTSA SUGGEST A MODIFICATION I CAN MAKE AT MY OWN EXPENSE THAT WOULD ADDRESS THESE ISSUES, E.G. SAFETY AND WARRANTEE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP ON THIS MATTER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#744486April 24, 2001
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DRIVING WE SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL TYPE OF SMELL, THEN BELL OWING SMOKE AND THEN WE STOPPED AND TRIED TO OPEN HOOD FIRE CAME GUSHING OUT. CALLED 911 REPORT TO FIRE DEPT. CAR TOTALLED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#886088April 17, 2001
TIRES
MICHELIN TIRE SIZE 195/60R15, 1200 MILES ON THE TIRE. TIRES MOUNTED ON A VOLVO S4T 2001. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ONE OF TIRES, RIGHT REAR TIRE, BLEWOUT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT TIRE WAS NOT FIXABLE.*AK DOT# HDDACHYX4500. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#885829April 13, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED OVER NIGHT OR PARKED FOR 6-8 HOURS BRAKES WILL NOT ENGAGE. BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD AND RESISTS WHEN APPLIED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#742351March 13, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
REAR BRAKE PADS ON MY CAR ARE COMPLETELY WORN DOWN TO METAL AND THE METAL IS CUTTING INTO THE ROTORS, THIS IS ON BOTH REAR WHEELS ASSEMBLIES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM REPLACED IUNDER WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THIS COULD NOT BE DONE SINCE I HAD OVER 12,000 MILES ONTHE CAR, EVEN THEOUGHTHE CAR IS ONLY 10 MONTHS OLD. MY CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT REAR BRAKES, THOUGH THE DEALER LET ME DRIVE AWAY ANYWAY. MY PROBLEM IS THIS, THE VOLVO DEALER, TWO DIFERENT SERVICE MANAGERS, AND VOLVO NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THIS SITUATION IS "NORMAL" AND THEY EXPERIENCE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM WITH MANY CUSTOMERS ON A WEEKLY BASIS. IF THIS IT INDEED TRUE, THEN WHY WOULD VOLVO NOT MAKE A NOTATION IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, UNDER THE MAINTENANCE SECTION, TO CHECK BRAKE PADS ON A FREQUENT BASIS. I HAVE FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS TO THE 'T', WHICH CLEARLY STATES THAT BRAKE PADS SHOULD BE INSPECTED AT 7,500 AND 15,000 MILES. IF AS VOLVO SUGGESTS, THE PADS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO LAST 15,000 MILES, WHY IN THE WORLD DO THEY NOT NOTIFY OWNERS OF THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION? THIS IS ABOUT THE MOST ABSURB THING I HAVE EVER HEARD OF. BEING A MECHANIC MYSELF, I FIND THIS SITUATION TO BE UNBELIEVABLE. I HAVE A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING WHY A MANUFACTURER CAN STAND THERE AND TELL ME THAT I SHOULD NOT EXPECT TO GET MORE THAT 12-15,000 ON A SET OF BRAKE PADS. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT I SPOKE TO AT VOLVO NA, VOLVO IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND WORKING ON FINDING A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT PAD THAT WILL PAST LONGER. IN THE MEANTIME, MY FAMILY AND I HAVE BEEN PLACED IN A PRECARIOUS SITUATION, AS WELL AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER CONSUMERS, DUE TO VOLVO'S INEPTITUDE, AND GENERAL LACK OF CONCERN FOR CONSUMER SAFETY. I AM DRIVING A CAR THAT I BOUGHT, BECAUSE OF IT'S SAFETY REPUTATION, THEN COME TO FIND OUT IT COULD BE A DEATH TRAP IF THE REAR BRAKES FAIL. I AM ALSO CAUGHT IN A CATCH 22 WITH VOLVO. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#741335February 22, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY CARS BRAKING DISTANCE. IT SEEMS TO TAKE A LONG TIME TO STOP AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES. TODAY I WAS IN A MINOR TRAFFIC INCIDENT, I WAS TRAVELLING UNDER 15MPH WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES (THE CAR INFRONT OF HER STOPPED SHORT). THOUGH IT WAS NOT GOOD THAT SHE HAD TO STOP SO ABRUPTLY, MY CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING HER BUMBPER. I WAS TRAVELING AT A SAFE SPEED AND SAFE DISTANCE. THIS MINOR ACCIDENT SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED AND NOW I AM CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING MY CAR BACK AND IT'S ABILITY TO STOP AT A PROPER DISTANCE. THE OTHER CAR SUSTAINED VERY MINOR SCRATCHES ON THE BUMPER. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS SOMETHING REGARDING MY VOLVO S40 MODEL (NEW IN THE US) OR JUST MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THIS IS MY 4TH VOLVO AND I HAVE NEVER HAD BRAEKS THAT STOPPED IN SUCH A LONG DISTANCE. THANKFULLY THE ACCIDENT WAS MINOR, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT BRAKING NEXT TIME I GET CUT-OFF AND HOW MY VEHICLE WILL RESPOND. COULD YOU POSSIBLY SHED SOME LIGHT ON THIS. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#740934February 15, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
BRAKES WERE VERY HARD - CAR WOULD NOT STOP FOR SEVERAL FEET. ALSO CAR WOULDN'T START ON ONE OCCASION - A SHIELD WAS PUT INTO CAR TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#879357January 30, 2001
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
VEHICLE WILL NOT START FOR ANY REASON OCCASIONALLY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#879358January 30, 2001
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE, AND WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE VEHICLE STILL ACCELERATES. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#878201January 16, 2001
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF. CONSUMER HIT A TELEPHONE POLE WHILE TRYING TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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