2001 Volvo S40 from North America - Comments

I guess I'm somewhere in-between on the "buy/don't buy" camps. My 2001 Volvo S40 has the check engine light on continuously now, indicating the "primary" oxygen sensor (bank 2). I did have it replaced, but the check engine is still there, indicating the O2 sensor still. I had an exhaust system check done... no leaks, spark plugs are fine, O2 sensor is working. The light is still on though.

This started with mine sometime around the 135,000 mile point. It was intermittent for awhile, but now it stays in. My car has 156,000 miles on it and its still running fine, so I don't have a major issue with it. I just wish someone could figure out the root cause of this check engine light, so it would clear and I could spot a real problem early whenever it happens.

Tom in GA

I bought a 2001 S40 brand new in 2001, so I've been the only owner. The Check Engine Light comes on all the time. I probably spent as much as the car was purchased for in service fees. I like the look of the car and I feel safe in the car, but I don't think I will purchase another Volvo because it is so unreliable and expensive to maintain. I cross my fingers each time I turn the car on. It is a good day when the orange "check engine" light is not on! There is nothing more frustrating than driving it off the lot after paying over $1,000 for a service bill to find the light comes back on 100 miles later. I think the dealership just resets the light or replaces something that doesn't need fixed to appease me. Has anyone pursued legal recourse for the check engine light problem?

I love my 2001 S40. Bought it used with 36k and now just around 106k. No problems other than the catalytic converter (at 92k), but Volvo just sent out a letter saying they'll reimburse for the cost of replacing it if it was done within 100k and less than 10 years from original purchase.

Make sure you have a good Volvo shop. I say ditch the dealerships (who have always ripped me off) and find a good Volvo specialty shop. Dealership employees work off of commissions so they are less inclined to take the time to properly repair. The shop I go to has salaried employees and they are amazingly thorough and ultimately cheaper than the dealership.

Love the car and will probably always buy Volvos.

I have a 2001 Volvo V40 it was second hand at 100000 km and has been awesome. The only problem I have had is the immobilizer not working. The key seems to be the problem. Thankfully I had a spare one. Love my Volvo as it is so safe for me and my family.

South Africa.

I got a 2001 Volvo S40 for almost 2 years now, and beside changing oil and replacing brake pads when needed, it run very smoothly.

Be sure to use premium gasoline and try to avoid Volvo dealers for repairs, as they will rip you off. You can buy Volvo parts online at almost half price of what the dealer will charge, and have a mechanic you trust to put on for you, or do it yourself.

I also have a Volvo S40 and yes my check engine light is always on! Now the windows won't roll up or down. What the heck is the deal! I have had this car for less than a year and I wish I never had gotten it. Is there a reason yet about the check engine light???

I have a 2001 Volvo S40 with check engine light problems. Finally there is a repair manual put out by Haynes repair manuals. I have had check engine light and service light on for some time. I went to Auto Zone and had diagnostic check; temperature sensor, cam sensor, and alternator was bad. The repair manual also has troubleshooting pages for certain symptoms, which helps when going to the mechanic.

For the one posting to take care of your car and drive properly... I have maintained this car very well and drove properly. I own two other vehicles and never had a problem with them. This car is a Volvo lemon straight form the dealership, your car was made on a good day I guess.

My boyfriend and I own a 2001 Volvo S40 turbo. He bought it used (around 50K miles) and for the first 3 years owning the car we never had any issues. Now the check engine light is on ALL THE TIME. First the pressure sensors needed replace, and now we are having a HUGE problem with the catalytic converter and the O2 sensors. We took it to the dealership who apparently replaced the converter (under warranty), but within 3 days of picking up the car, the CE light was on again! We took it back to the dealership and spent almost 600$ to have both O2 sensors replaced. Less than 48hrs after we picked the car up, the light was back on. Back to the dealership. They told us the catalytic converter was bad. When we told them they just replaced to converter, they told us "no, we actually didn't replace the cat. We replaced the flex hose", which they told us was part of the front half of the cat. I have since been doing some research and cannot find any association of flex hoses to cats (anyone who knows more about cars have an idea here?). We are trying to trade this car in as we have spent 0ver 1000$ this month in repairs, but we can't keep the darn CE light long enough to get it off our hands.

Don't BUY VOLVO!!!

I've owned a 2001 Volvo S40 for about 4 months now, and so far I have no problems with it. It has 74000 miles and I use only premium fuel (93). A good friend of mine works in local Volvo dealership as a mechanic and he told me to always use Castrol fully synthetic oil and premium gas, and I should not have any major problems with an engine. Also be sure to change your transmission oil every 30000 miles.

NEW YORK.

I own a 2001 S40 and my check engine light has been on for over two years. I started with the oxygen sensors, then the catalytic converter, then other oxygen sensors, a manifold exhaust leak, and countless other repairs I can't remember. I managed to get the light off for a few days each year - long enough to pass emissions testing so I can renew my tags. I am sick of this car. I've been to two dealerships and 3 other car repair places, including one that supposedly specializes in European cars. Although I've already spent thousands on it, my last visit to a Volvo dealership netted me several pages of estimates on work needing done that totaled around $6,000. If I win the lottery, I will buy a truckload of sledge hammers and have my friends over for a Volvo-smashing party!

I have a Volvo S40 2001 almost 2years now and I have been having all kinds of problems which are : check engine light on, oil leak, exhaust vibration which I have checked with two mechanics that says there was nothing wrong with my car. Does anyone that lives in DC Metro area knows a good Volvo repair shop.

I had 2x 2001 S40s at the same time. A yellow one that I bought from a dealer off a 2 year lease with 35,000 miles on it, and a white a year later from a used car lot with 60,000 miles on it. Both had the flex pipe rust out at around 90,000 miles.

I have a repair shop weld an aftermarket flex pipe in for $160.00, and for the yellow one I found an aftermarket flex & cat pipe complete for $250.00, & replaced it myself.

The white one had some transmission issues (felt like it miss a shift from 2nd to 3rd). Never fixed it but it never got worse. Temp sensor went and normal service stuff, sold it with 110,000 miles.

Still have the yellow one with 106,000 miles, and I am chasing a check engine light for the temperature sensor and misfire. I'm getting ready to replace the temperature sensor ($47.00 on- line and about a 15 minutes job). Two coils online for $150.00 and a 20 minute job, and it should be good to go.

I love the cars and hope to keep the yellow one for a couple more years.

Oh yeah, they both needed to be poly-sealed and buffed each spring to keep a shine.

Great cars, will buy another one when the time comes.

It really seems to be a trend that the individuals that are having luck with their S40s are taking them to the proper place to be maintained. I am on my 2nd 2001 S40. LOVE THE CAR! My 1st one was totaled in a horrible accident that my husband and I walked away from... get this... we t-boned an 83 Ford Courier at 50mph (driver made an illegal turn, we couldn't see them at all). The worst injury was a sprained wrist!

Somehow a little extra maintenance on the vehicle was well worth our lives! My brother is a certified Volvo mechanic and he takes well care of my cars! So I fully agree that if you take care of your Volvo correctly and give it the TLC it deserves, it will in turn be good to you!

Take care of your Volvo, someday it might save your life too!!!

Many people have complained about the catalytic converters, while Volvo has recognized the problem and issued an extended warranty on them to have them replaced at no charge. Instead of filling out online comments, take it and get it replaced.

I own a 2001 Volvo S40, so far I have spend about $ 10,000 on this car for repairs and service. Now my interior fan blower is stuck and keep blowing air. This will cost me around $ 250.00 another slap on face. Can't get rid of it because I have not found any interested party.