Faults:

I do not drive much, so the repairs on this vehicle have been upsetting.

First, there is thunk when I go over speed bumps, and the engine vibrates loud.

Also, when pressing the accelerator, there is a banging from the front left wheel-well.

Also, when I shift from R to D with my foot on the brake, the car vibrates and jumps. This is what is still wrong, and not normal at all. What I've had to repair (most under warranty):

- All cam seals

- Rotors

- Mass air flow sensor

- U-joints

- Front struts

- Front steering rack

- Spark plugs and wires

- Timing belt (because oil leaking all over the engine from leaky cam seals)

I can't believe how much the warranty co. has been willing to cover. I calculated about $6000 in repairs so far, which is half what I paid for the car. The car is only worth about $5500 right now.

A Volvo mechanic told me the noise I heard was normal in the front, so I am going somewhere else with my business. Hopefully the repair includes a transmission change, which will put the amount paid under warranty; around $2k less than what I paid for the stupid car.

STAY AWAY FROM THESE VEHICLES!!!

General Comments:

Garbage!

Faults:

Replaced motor mounts.

Full brake job.

Replaced struts and mounts.

Replaced fuel pressure regulator.

Replaced transmission module.

Needs new exhaust manifold.

General Comments:

This car is very comfortable.

But it doesn't have the reliability I expect from Volvo.

It has cost me more to own this car than any other.

Faults:

The gauges have never worked completely right, and come on when unnecessary.

Most recently the gas gauge has been a problem.

The brakes on the car seem to need to be changed to often, and were not designed for someone who is in stop and go traffic a lot. Safe car, but seems like am constantly getting brakes.

Seat control problems many times, and fuses going out.

General Comments:

It is a safe car and gets great gas mileage when you know how much is in your tank.

No leg room in the back seat, and you can barely get a car-seat into the back seat.

I was in a car accident on the drivers side, and must say it did protect me.

Faults:

So, I decided to replace my 1996 VW Golf with a new car.

I had previously owned a 2000 V40, and after numerous trips to the dealer for maintenance, I swore I would never buy another Volvo. Of course, after owning a beat up old VW, I was able to pay off the remainder of the balance on the V40 after I sold it, but I found myself missing the comfort and safe feeling of the Volvo.

I also sold the V40 because I was moving to Florida, and it was a dark colored car with black leather interior. So, when my VW finally started to kick the bucket, I went car shopping.

I found a dealer who offered me a ridiculous amount for my car, and a 3 year bumper to bumper warranty for the 2003 S40; all for $13000. Since the Blue Book was around $15000, I figured I was getting a great deal.

The leather seats are awesome; the knobs for the radio and climate control are not. The knobs tend to wear real bad, and even have stickiness to them.

My daughter's car seat fits great in the back seat, and clips right in to the anchor points, but if I was any taller than 5'08, I would have a hell of time trying to get my seat-back from bumping into her car seat.

I have seen many posts about the transmission on here. My transmission is odd. Sometimes when I am driving down the road, the RPMS suddenly jump up as the engine races up on its own. I think this is because of the turbo. When I owned my V40, I would step on the gas and you could feel the car move. Well, it's almost the same idea, except I didn't step any harder on the gas. Of course, after a fraction of a second, the car seems to take note of the mistake and slows the engine down. I have a feeling I will need a new transmission at some point. Too bad I couldn't get a manual transmission version of this car.

Also, the sound system really sucks in this car. I have wanted to replace the radio, but it is not the normal sized radio, but the larger one instead. There is no real bass or decent sound coming from the radio at all. Half the stations I get have a weird static noise to them, even though the radio station is only across the bridge.

The gas tank is only 10gal or so, which is nice, however I am only getting about 22mpg. My VW got 30mpg, which was nice, but it was also a 5 speed.

One thing I love about this car is the brakes. The disk brakes work so well, that I don't care that I occasionally find brake dust on my rims. When I drive my wife's Honda, I can definitely tell the difference, and I would never feel as though I would have to ditch to the median on the right if the car in front of me were to brake suddenly.

Well that is all I have to really say about this car for now. Hopefully I don’t have too many future issues with the S40, although who knows now that I've said that...