2001 Volvo S40 Owner Complaints

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.

NHTSA ID

11339721

Incident

Jul 15, 2020

Mileage

15,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11243446

Incident

Jul 1, 2018

IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN PAST POSITION 2 ALLOWING FOR ENGINE STARTING. THE VEHICLE WITH STATIONARY IN PARK.

NHTSA ID

11218386

Incident

Jun 6, 2019

Mileage

67,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10893841

Incident

Jun 15, 2016

Mileage

190,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10819591

Incident

Jan 11, 2016

Mileage

93,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10783521

Incident

Jun 9, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID

10668727

Incident

Dec 16, 2014

Mileage

113,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10660162

Incident

Nov 19, 2014

Mileage

107,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10536050

Incident

Aug 17, 2013

Mileage

30,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10509003

Incident

Mar 13, 2013

Mileage

153,280 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10468802

Incident

Jul 31, 2012

Mileage

107,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10449907

Incident

Feb 20, 2012

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

NHTSA ID

10439280

Incident

Nov 25, 2011

Mileage

51,334 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10422998

Incident

Sep 1, 2011

Mileage

146,400 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10402992

Incident

May 24, 2011

Mileage

114,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10396500

Incident

Apr 14, 2011

Mileage

186,788 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10364167

Incident

Oct 29, 2010

Mileage

86,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10355937

Incident

Sep 15, 2010

Mileage

125,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10341534

Incident

Jun 27, 2010

Mileage

90,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10312216

Incident

Feb 19, 2009

Mileage

63,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10308527

Incident

Aug 21, 2009

Mileage

90,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10298521

Incident

Dec 28, 2009

Mileage

73,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10298168

Incident

Nov 14, 2007

Mileage

88,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10281475

Incident

Dec 19, 2007

Mileage

90,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10281474

Incident

Nov 15, 2007

Mileage

88,000 mi