2000 Volvo S40 1.9 turbo

Summary:

I will never buy another Volvo again

Faults:

A broken (from heat) hose, caused extensive damage to the turbo at 75,000 miles. Turbo replaced ~$1500.00.

Front driver's side, bent control arm due to rubber bushing disintegration. This was at 77,000 miles.

LCD clock segments stuck at purchase.

Defective passenger side CV boot and axle shaft at 77,500 miles.

Leaking OEM CV axle seal (s) replaced (see above) 6 different times following the axle replacement. Each began leaking around 50 miles after replacement. Non OEM seal installed - leak stopped.

Defective O2 sensor at 90,000 miles.

Rear center seat belt torn on edge apparently due to scraping and wind vibration. This belt was never used. ? miles, just noticed.

Broken cup holder at 92,000 miles.

Seat motor defective at 92,000 miles.

Leaking timing belt oil seal at 110,000 miles.

General Comments:

Seeing all the issues with my S40 and others with similar problems, I am surprised there has been no class action lawsuit brought against Volvo.

In my opinion, this is a seriously defective, low quality car.

I have owned two Volvos previously, an '82 240 DL and a '96 850. Neither car has had anywhere near the number of problems that this one does.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 5th July, 2011

6th Jul 2011, 14:52

The old S40 is based on Mitsubishi, and were made in Belgium, not Sweden.

Get another 850 and you will love Volvo again.. ;-)

8th Jul 2011, 19:37

My girlfriend has a '97 2.0 non-turbo 5-speed manual base model. What major problems has she experienced in her now 6 years of ownership? It now has about 150K miles (240k km on it).

Brakes, brakes and brakes! No matter if we put expensive original Volvo parts or aftermarket stuff on it, still brake vibrations after a few hundred miles! Lost count on the number of brake rotors changed! Brakes are pure Mitsubishi...

Other than that, only a fuel pump and some normal stuff that wears out on any car like tie rod ends, a set of lower ball joints, exhaust system etc.

The only thing that actually stopped the car was when the fuel pump gave up!

One thing that almost stopped it was when the accessory belt tensioner seized. Easy and cheap fix though!

The car was drivable even then for short distances (but without water pump, power steering and generator working).

The broken belt is completely my fault, not checking the tensioner!

Except for the brake problems, it's a wonderful reliable car!

Fuel economy is great! About 30-35 mpg combined (7-7,5 liters/100km). This car is never driven hard, and it just loves to be driven "old man style" with upshift at 2500 rpm!

The rust has taken the grip of the car now (we live in Sweden, and a lot of road salt is used).

Even though, it's mostly a cosmetic issue! The lower parts of the car seem to be perfectly fine...

My guess it will be in use for at least 2 more years before scrapping, which makes it one of the most economical cars I've ever seen...

2000 Volvo S40 Sedan turbo

Summary:

Excellent, but I would rather have a Volvo S-80 for obvious reasons

Faults:

Outside of routine maintenance, which I do at the dealership, by the dealership schedule, there have been few major problems.

Cup holder broke twice.

The radio/CD/cassette player stopped working a few years after I purchased the car.

I broke a headlight while installing a bulb. The rear reflector separated from the front portion. Kept working though for four years, before I needed to replace it when the connections to the headlight went bad.

The other headlight, at ten years, wire connectors needed to be replaced.

Drivers side upholstery can be loose after ten years.

Mirror motor went bad after ten years.

Recent replacement of several coils after ten years.

Car still runs like a champ after 10 years and 113500. Not bad after all that time and miles.

I wonder if the newer model S-40s are the problem? I also wonder if Ford becoming involved with or as Volvo is part of the problem with the newer S-40s?

General Comments:

Unfortunately Volvo parts and labor is very expensive, in my opinion. However, the service I have received from the dealerships I have dealt with has been superb. One dealership discounted my parts and labor bill by almost $250.00 when I requested their assistance in giving me a deep discount. This service was over 2,200, which include major routine service, 110,000 mile timing belt change and several other costly items such as headlight replacement and change of front brakes and rotors, etc. Expensive -- to be sure, however they were willing to work with me on the price.

They also provided me with a loaner vehicle for two days. The loaner was a 2011 Volvo S-40. About a $50,000 loaner Volvo while my ten year old S-40 was in their repair shop. I suggested an even trade in jest. Would have been a nice trade, huh? Great customer service -- with customer satisfaction, respect and dignity a priority.

I also owned a Volvo 240 GL Wagon, which ran for 17 years and 207,000 miles. In addition, I previously owned a 1981 Two Door (yep, two door) Volvo DL. The car was in an accident with my wife and son, with them being struck at 60 MPH by a 4x4 truck while waiting to make a turn. Totaled the Volvo. Both wife and son got out of the car, looked back at the car and said dang or probably something stronger. NO INJURIES WHATSOEVER. It was a Volvo!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th September, 2010

19th Mar 2015, 13:45

I saw a 240 get t-boned by a pickup truck doing 30 mph on the driver's side one time. It shot the 240 across the intersection onto a sidewalk. This was before side air bags. I thought the driver would be dead when I stopped and ran over to the car. He was trying to get out the driver's door. We could not get it open, so he went out the passenger door... unhurt. The truck was not drivable, the Volvo was.

I still can't believe it.