10th Jul 2002, 11:25

My wife and I just purchased a 2000 V40 with 30,000k. This after winning a Lemon Law with Hyundai which I received a 2002 XG350 and immediately dumped for the Volvo. I am a bit taken back by all the problems by other Volvo owners, but I have talked too many mechanics over the past few months and I have come to the conclusion that it doesn't matter what car you own, all manufacturers are prone to problems. There are just too many variables when it comes to building a car. With that said...I'm still keeping my fingers crossed... Hope I made a better decision with the Volvo.

Cole597@earthlink.net.

26th Jul 2002, 16:24

I just found out from my body shop that S-40s do not have clear coat paint. I have heard lots of stories about oxidation, and mine has significant oxidation after only 2 years - polishing removes red paint. It is inconceivable to me that ANY 2000 model car doesn't have clear coat paint.

6th Sep 2002, 12:53

I purchased a 2002 Volvo S40 a month ago from Deel Ford, Miami. Since then, the brakes have failed. Furthermore, each time I brake there is a quick noise similar to a Caterpillar backing up. This is particularly noticeable in bumper to bumper traffic. The trunk release froze up requiring entry through the back seat. The airbag light stays on. it's a well designed car, but then, so was the Yugo.

3rd Oct 2002, 10:28

2000 V40 RED, I have tried to keep it's paint perfect with all the top of the line care, but found to have fading on hood and around sunroof. I think the car is great, but it's way too early in this cars life to have paint issues.

I wonder if this is common for Volvo.

22nd Oct 2002, 21:04

We purchased a 2001 S40 in May 2001, which currently (10/02) has 12,700 miles on it. Very low mileage. I've liked the car very much--until now. Very snappy handling. (OK, the cupholder stopped working after the first month, but that's minor) There was a recall on the "check engine" light, which was done. When we took it in for the 7,500 mile check-up everything was fine. Shortly after that I started noticing the brake light staying on for several minutes after the emergency brake was released. I mentioned this to Volvo service and it was supposedly checked on several occasions and they found nothing. I just took it in for a little body work and asked them to check the brake light again as it started staying on constantly. The found that all 4 brake pads needed to be replaced, along with the rear rotors, to the tune of $1,000. At less than 13,000 miles AND when they were apparently fine 6,000 miles previously! Unheard of! To add insult to injury, my service rep had the nerve to tell me that Volvo brake pads are only supposed to last 5,000 - 10,000 miles!

My husband contacted the President of Volvo NA, and the upshot apparently is that the S40 (at least the 2001) was issued with brake pads that are not "strong enough" (I don't know exactly what word he used), and they will be replaced with better ones. They are charging us "only" 1/2 of the cost of replacing everything (or $500), but I'm obviously still rankled. First, why should we pay a dime for something they clearly now know is substandard and should be replaced? Also, if we hadn't gone directly to the office of the President (after getting no satisfaction from Volvo NA Customer Service), we would still be being lied to by our local (Manhattan) Volvo dealership.

I looked at the NHTSA website and see that there is a defect investigation for 2001 S40 Brakes:Service Brakes. It gives no more details. Does anyone know anything about this?

Arghhh.

Susan.

11th Nov 2002, 13:50

Has anyone had problems with the rear struts?I get a rubber rubbing sound when I hit a bump in the road. Check service light is as good as a night light.Does a Dealership, anywhere, do the brakes at their cost? Otherwise a good looking car{S40} with great pick up. Jimbo.

10th Dec 2002, 12:43

My 2000 S40 had the rear brake pads replaced at 22000 miles (at my cost). It sounds like it is this is a common problem among S40 owners, which is an indication that it is not the drivers fault, but rather a manufacturing problem. I had the engine remounted because of a loud clunking noise, and replaced a pressure regulator from a faulty fuel line after several start-up problems.

16th Jan 2003, 15:10

I am a recent Volvo Owner, I purchased my Volvo S40 in July 2002. Since that time I have managed to put 10,000 miles on my vehicle. I love my new car, however I have had one repeated problem. My Check Engine light keeps turning on. Apparently the control module of the vehicle keeps indicating that there is a fault code with the Oxygen Sensor. Volvo has replaced both the front and rear oxygen sensors, and has even sent my control module to Volvo to have it re-programmed. After three fixes, the vehicle continues to indicate that there is a fault code with the oxygen sensor. Apparently the dealership plans on sending the Control Module back to Volvo to have it re-analyzed. Since I am a resident of Ohio, the Ohio Lemon Law states that if a vehicle has been subject to repair three or more times and the problem continues to exist, then the car is deemed a lemon and the Dealer is required to replace the vehicle with a new one. Has anyone heard of or has anyone experienced a similar problem to the one described above regarding O2 Sensor fault codes? As for the brakes, so far so good.

24th Jan 2003, 12:43

I just have to say that I am so pleased with my new S40. With only 19 thousand on it, it is in perfect condition. I think it is so nice to have and so responsive to the road. I was reading some other comments and have to agree with the person who says that other BMW owners get red-faced when they are beaten at a light. I have no problems with my car except a loose wiring on the headlight. I'm sorry to all those with problems. This is one of the best cars that I have driven yet...

31st Jan 2003, 11:58

I bought my S40 in November of 2001. I can't say I've had many problems with it. I have had to replace a headlight, and as with many other complaints on here, brakes. I don't know if the brakes were ever replaced prior to me owning the car because I bought it at 17,000 miles. I had to replace my rear brakes at 23,000 miles last July (8 months after my purchase). I took it in last week and was told my rear brakes needed replacing again. I asked them to explain why I'd need my brakes replaced so soon, not even 10,000 miles after I had them replaced in July. They couldn't comment. Then said they were mistaken it was the front brakes that needed replacing. Unlike a comment made by another gentleman on this site, I do not use my brakes excessively. I try to leave some distance between me and the car in front of me in order to save wear and tear on the brakes. I owned a Toyota prior to this and only had to replace the brakes twice in a 9 year span. One can only hope that Volvo will do a recall on the defective brakes, and not treat this as a case by case issue when it's evident there is a overall manufacturer problem.