Faults:

If you plan on buying this car, prepare to do the valve body. They consist of weak aluminum parts. If you catch it before serious problems occur, then it's replacing that over the whole transmission.

Gets good mileage, comfortable, and looks great. Just work the kinks out of the design flaws, and it will be a great car.

Also, do not use winter mode, as it puts the trans in second, putting greater wear on transmission. Put some Spyder Spikes on... Or get the AWD T5..

General Comments:

I love the car's look, and interior. However I do not like how cheap it feels. You would think you're driving a Civic, not a Volvo..

Faults:

Brake calipers at 25,000 miles (replaced under warranty).

2 factory batteries replaced under warranty.

AC clutch replaced at 83,000 miles.

Fuel tank pressure sensor replaced at 83,000 miles.

General Comments:

Overall, a nice little car. Reasonably snappy performance and decent economy.

My gripe with the car is the extraordinarily high maintenance cost that is due to Volvo's "weirdness". The procedure for replacing the cabin air filter (removing the gas pedal) is ridiculous. All maintenance on a Volvo costs more than other makes. The parts are out of sight. You have to abandon the dealership after the warranty runs out, unless you want to be completely killed on the labor. You must find a good Volvo shop.

Faults:

Purchased the car, and a few months after purchase, the air conditioner started to blow hot air. I live in Texas, and this occurred in the spring. It wasn't too hot at the time, and Volvo said they fixed it.

Right smack in the middle of summer, the air blew out hot air like the heater was on. I took it in 5 times, and each time I got a computer upgrade.

Finally, the last time, Volvo replaced my A/C. It still occurs every once in a while. Just in time for my warranty to go out.

Now, when backing up, my rear brake locks and doesn't stop. I've had the pads replaced and checked the fluids are all OK. Now I'm getting a warning that there is a brake failure when I back up. My check engine light is on, and told there may be a problem with my O2 sensor.

I have had my Volvo S40 at the dealer so often, I hear a tone of frustration when I announce my name on the phone with the service crew. They know me by 1st name. I hate, hate, hate, hate this car.

General Comments:

Worst car I've ever owned.

Faults:

Just some parts in the chassis, typical for the Ford-concern.

General Comments:

This newer Ford Focus chassis that is in this Volvo is fantastic! It's like a 308 or 407 :) It's stable and sporty, but not too hard.

The engine is so good, and sounds good with my sport exhaust.

It's not too big either, I like to drive the C30 more, but this car is a beauty, with Nordic design!

The back seat aren't for tall Swedish people though. Max 185cm.

Best non-(Peugeot or BMW) car I've driven!

Faults:

Nothing too major:

Brakes have sqeaked really loudly since day one. It took a year for Volvo to find a 'solution' and finally it was repaired free of charge. This is typical of all s40 I've been told. (2005's)

Washer fluid hoses constantly come out of place, and spray fluid all over the engine rather than the windsheld. I repaired this with duct tape, better than Volvo did.

Car burns oil from time to time. Sometimes white smoke comes from the motor. All service has been done at a Volvo dealer, and they said everything is fine.

I notice the oil levels are low once in awhile. They need to be topped off; no big deal.

General Comments:

The car is a slow dog in the city, seriously lacking pick-up. I blame this on my wife demanding we get an automatic transmission. I think a 5-speed manual would definitely help the situation. City driving is a pain, as the car has awful visibility out the rear and the sides. I have to look over my shoulder constantly. I have never driven such a small car with so many large blind spots.

This car is however a Volvo, and as small as it is, I feel like I'm driving an Abrams Tank! You do feel very secure in the cabin. Safety first, I guess.

Interior is very cramped; I have a huge problem with the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal. They are too close to each other! Sometimes I accidentally hit the brake and the gas at the same time. I'm only 5'8 and size 10 mens shoe. The accelerator pedal is tiny! How do Swedish people drive this thing? My knee hits the dash also, even with the seat all the way back. Very uncomfortable.

On the highway however, I am rewarded; the car cruises like it is on rails and handles like a dream. Once it picks up speed, this car is smooth sailing, and very responsive. It would be great for the Autobahn. The car glides at high speeds without any doubt -- this is why I chose a European car.