RoadVitals

2000 Volvo S40

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
122
Latest Jun 30, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Nov 17, 2003
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
13
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 122 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Volvo S40, most frequently naming the brakes, driver assistance and suspension categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 200 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

Nov 17, 2003
36,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, WATER CAN ENTER THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, CAUSING THE PUMP TO FAIL.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST AND AN INCREASE IN NEEDED BRAKE PEDAL FORCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PUMP WITH A NEW AND IMPROVED VERSION AND MOVE THE PUMP TO A NEW LOCATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.Manufacturer number 129View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA02026ClosedEngineering Analysis

VOLVO S40/V40 MY 2000-2001

Opened Sep 10, 2002
Closed Nov 21, 2003

IN A NOVEMBER 6, 2003 SAFETY DEFECT REPORT, VOLVO INDICATED THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT RECALL OF THE 2000 MODEL YEAR (MY) SUBJECT VEHICLES (ABOUT 36,000 VEHICLES).VOLVO WILL ALSO CONDUCT A SERVICE CAMPAIGN OF ABOUT 31,000 2001 MY SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI INVESTIGATED BOTH THE 2000 AND 2001 MY VEHICLES AND DETERMINED THAT THE 2001 MY VEHICLES EXPERIENCED SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER RATES OF FAILURES BASED ON THE NUMBER OF OWNER REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED TO ODI.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE PROPOSED ACTION IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THIS INVESTIGATION'S SAFETY ISSUES. FOR THE CRASHES, IN ADDITION TO THE 22 SUBMITTED BY VOLVO, ODI FOUND 10 ADDITIONAL CRASH ALLEGATIONS IN THE OWNER REPORTS, FIELD REPORTS, AND WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED BY VOLVO.OF THESE 32 CRASHES, ODI BELIEVES THAT 10 ARE CLEARLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT, AND 5 APPEAR TO BE RELATED.OF THE 17 REMAINING CASES, TWO DID NOT INVOLVE A CRASH AND THE OTHER 15 COULD NOT BE DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ODI WILL SUPPLEMENT THIS RESUME WITH A CLOSING REPORT AND ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL DETAILS CONCERNING THE DEFECT.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 03V474000
PE02009ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BRAKE POWER-ASSIST

Opened Jan 29, 2002
Closed Sep 10, 2002
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Jun 30, 2021
Crash reported1 injury reported

This is to describe airbag injuries. My car performed well. If not for the airbag and good construction of this Volvo I would not be here to ask for your help. I am wondering why we still use explosive materials and a device that causes so many injuries. There has to be another device to absorb the force of impact than an explosive device that injures, maim, and can kill people. I want to send images of my injuries which are extensive. Is this what happens each time the airbags ignite? I was close due to my small stature. The bag hit me in the chest and face. Volvo is a safe car. I was traveling at 55mph, a woman stopped her car in the passing lane feet in front of me, everyone was doing 55 mph and more. There was nowhere to go to escape the impact. Frederick, MD Hwy 15 South at 7th Street has many oncoming ramps, there needs to be warning about oncoming and stopped vehicles. The speed limit is 65mph before these fast-moving on-ramps. A flashing light would also help.

NHTSA ID
11422879
Incident
Jun 23, 2021
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 8, 2018

THE CAR HAS PROBLEMS STARTING AND TAKES A FEW TRIES BEFORE STARTING UP. HAVE ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WHERE THE CAR WAS IN PARK WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED AND THE CAR WAS REVVING ON ITS OWN. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN PROBLEMS WHILE THE CAR HAS BEEN SLOWING DOWN ON THE FREEWAY, SPECIFICALLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE BEING ENGAGED THE CAR WILL ATTEMPT TO MOVE FORWARD AS THOUGH IT IS TRYING TO PUSH PASS THE FACT THAT THE BRAKES ARE BEING ENGAGED. AS WELL AS THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE FASTER THAN THE GAS PEDAL IS BEING PUSHED E.G WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS SLIGHTLY PUSHED THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE QUICKLY AS THOUGH THE GAS PEDAL WAS BEING PUSHED UPON FIRMLY.

NHTSA ID
11118565
Incident
Jul 27, 2018
Mileage
148,800 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jan 29, 2016

THIS HAPPENED YESTERDAY 1/28/16 AND IN APRIL 2015 (THE DEALERSHIP "FIXED IT" BUT IT DIDN'T WORK!!!!) YESTERDAY, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE CAR DID THE SCARIEST THING I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STANDSTILL. NO POWER AT ALL. IT DIDN'T SLOW TO A STALL, NO WEIRD SOUNDS...IT JUST LITERALLY STOPPED IN IT'S TRACKS. RIGHT THERE, IN THE ROAD. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR SHUT OFF. WHEN I SAY SHUT OFF I MEAN THE HEADLIGHTS, DOME LIGHTS, ENGINE....ANYTHING THAT WAS ELECTRICAL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THIS WOULD INCLUDE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. IMAGINE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY/HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH TRAFFIC AROUND YOU AND YOUR LIGHTS GOING OUT, STEERING WHEEL LOCKING AND HAVING NO WAY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND MY BABY. LAST NIGHT, I HAS NIGHTMARES ALL NIGHT LONG OF THAT HAPPENING ON THE FREEWAY OR THE TRESTLE WITH MY BABY. WHERE I DRIVE FREQUENTLY. HAD THAT HAVE HAPPENED THERE, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED ESPECIALLY IF A SEMI TRUCK WAS BEHIND ME, AS IS OFTEN THE CASE. THEY CAN'T STOP THAT FAST. MOST PEOPLE CAN'T STOP THAT FAST GOING 55-75 MPH. I HAD BEEN ON THE TRESTLE ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT HAPPENED. AND I AM PETRIFIED TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED SINCE I OFTEN HAVE MY BABY IN THE CAR. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP IN SERVICE. THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON, SO THERE ARE NO CODES. THEY CANNOT GET IT DO IT AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
10823121
Incident
Jan 28, 2016
Mileage
103,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 17, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,900.

NHTSA ID
10664859
Incident
Oct 30, 2014
Mileage
99,900 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Apr 25, 2013
Crash reported

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT BEHIND SEVERAL CARS. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, BUT DID NOT PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR ENGINE REVVED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD DESPITE ME ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE HEAVILY. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT FULLY DECOMPRESS CAUSING ME TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED WITH 134,100 MILES. I NOTICED ABOUT 5 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THAT THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND THE RPM'S WOULD REMAIN HIGH WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR WILL MOVE APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH WITHOUT PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. WHEN ROADS ARE WET OR WHEN IT HAS BEEN RAINING, THE CAR IS DIFFICULT IN BRAKING AND THE BRAKES OFTEN "FREEZE" WHERE THE BRAKE PEDAL CANNOT BE DEPRESSED. BRAKES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE ISSUE PERSISTS. ALSO, AT TIMES, THE CAR ENGINE CONTINUES TO REV WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. LASTLY, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, IT WAS INDICATED VIA A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT THERE WAS A MISFIRE WITH ONE OF THE SPARK PLUG COILS. ALL SPARK PLUGS AND COILS/IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED, ENGINE LIGHT PERSISTED. AT THE TIME THE TEMP SENSOR AND THE THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED AS THE IGNITION COILS AND SPARK PLUGS DID NOT ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE. WHEN A FOLLOWING DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED INDICATED THAT THE COOLANT TEMP SENSOR HAS LOW VOLTAGE. SOMETIMES THE CAR ENGINE WILL TURN, BUT THE CAR WILL NOT FULLY TURN ON AND I NEED TO WAIT ABOUT 10 MINUTES (OR UNTIL THE FAN TURNS OFF) BEFORE BEING ABLE TO ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR. DUE TO THE ISSUES WITH THE CAR, THE CAR CANNOT GET AN INSPECTION STICKER, AND IT DOES NOT SEEM SAFE TO DRIVE. DUE TO MASSACHUSETTS CAR LAWS, WE CANNOT SELL THE CAR DUE TO LEMON LAW AND THE CAR IS WORTH MORE THAN SCRAPING. WE ALSO HAD A BROKEN AXEL AND COIL THAT WERE REPLACED AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10509612
Incident
Oct 2, 2012
Mileage
151,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 9, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE'S SPEED ERRONEOUSLY INCREASED TO 55 MPH. THE CONTACT FIRMLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,828. UPDATED 11/13/12 *CN THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE AS REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. UPDATED 11/19/12

NHTSA ID
10479401
Incident
Aug 30, 2012
Mileage
95,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 4, 2012
Crash reported1 injury reported

IT WAS CLOSE TO 9PM. I HAD EXITED THE FREEWAY TO STOP IN A PARKING LOT TO CHECK DIRECTIONS. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, SO I GOT OUT TO WALK AROUND AND BUY A CUP OF COFFEE. I CAME BACK A FEW MINUTES LATER AND DROVE OUT OF THE LOT. THE ON RAMP WAS ABOUT 200 YARDS AWAY AND THERE WAS A RED LIGHT AT THE INTERSECTION, SO I WAS ONLY MOVING AT AROUND 20MPH. I WAS THE ONLY CAR IN MY LANE, SO ABOUT 100 FEET AWAY FROM THE INTERSECTION I PRESSED DOWN ON MY BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE FOR SOME REASON IT THE CAR KEPT ROLLING. I TRIED AGAIN, BUT THE BRAKES WERE NO HELP AS I KEPT ROLLING. FRANTICALLY, I STOMPED HARD, FLOORED THE BRAKES, AND MY CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN A LITTLE, BUT THAT TIME IT WAS TOO LATE. I TRIED TO TURN TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC, BUT AN INSTANT LATER I HAD HIT AN ONCOMING CAR. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WENT WRONG. I AM PRETTY GOOD AT MAINTAINING THE CAR AND IT HAD BEEN SERVICED AT THE VOLVO DEALER FAIRLY RECENTLY. IT'S ONLY GARAGED ABOUT HALF THE TIME, BUT I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SO IT'S NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO AN EXTREME CLIMATE OR ANYTHING. THERE WAS A THUNDERSTORM THAT MORNING, AND THE ROADS WERE VERY WET EARLIER IN THE DAY, BUT THE STORM BROKE AROUND NOON: 7 OR 8 HOURS BEFORE I LEFT HOME THAT NIGHT. BY THAT TIME ALL OF THE ROADS HAD DRIED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10457440
Incident
Apr 13, 2012
Mileage
151,278 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 29, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER DRIVING IN REVERSE OR GOING FORWARD, AS WELL AS WHEN SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY NEED TO REPAIR THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL, IDLE CONTROL VALVE AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ID
10453452
Incident
Jan 28, 2012
Mileage
74,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

35526.1.8

ENGINE

This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure
 Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.

37809.1.1

This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. This TJ will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval.
 Current items under prior approval are listed in the "Service" section

19245

This is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.

8501

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session:
 •Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in VIDA is between 12.5V and 14.9V.
 •Connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a VOE (Volvo OBD to Ethernet) adapter and perform a NEW vehicle readout.

S10303

Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles.
 Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob.
 As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle.
 The corrective action is to download SP Software.
 S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.

S10303

Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles.
 Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob.
 As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle.
 The corrective action is to download SP Software.
 S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volvo S40 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012000
2011520
2010920
2009103055.1
2008162053.7
2007252050.1
2006583043.5
2005693043.1
2004486052.0
2003182041.4
2002271044.1
2001842156.8
2000Viewing1221250.1
1993000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.