2000 Volvo S40 Turbo review from North America

Brakes went out at 8,000 miles.

Headlights went out three times in one month.

Rear brakes/suspension made thumping noises.

Turbo was whistling out of control, ready to burn out.

Car burnt through 1 qt. of oil a month.

I've never been one to write car reviews, always sort of thought they are all the same enough that while you might have problems, they aren't too bad.

Then I bought a 2000 Volvo S40 "Certified Pre-Owned."

The problems started early on... the wonderful headlight problem. Volvo knows there was a problem was this, the resistor wasn't built into the car properly, and they issued a "Service Bulletin" on it. Amazingly, "Service Bulletins" aren't covered under the Certified Pre-Owned warranty. So after burning through 3 sets of Pep Boys headlights in 1 month, I called up Volvo to make an appt. to get my S40's problem fixed. I thought since I even had the Service Bulletin, it would be easy.

Boy was I wrong. I was told that since I didn't use genuine Volvo headlights, I'd have to pay to have them install them, at my cost, and see if the problem happens again. Obviously I wasn't down for this... so I enquired what cost I'd have to pay to get it fixed. $150!!! I was also told, and I kid you not, that since "Volvo's are safe cars, ahh, yeah, they go through headlights really fast." To put in a simple resistor harness that costs $10. No joke here. So I picked up the harness and installed it myself. Problem 1 solved... on my own, no thanks to the worthless CPO warranty.

Next problem. Car is purchased with 30,000 Miles. At 38,000 miles, brakes are soft and making a clunking noise. Quotes to replace brakes are absurd. Car was supposed to come with new brakes as part of CPO package.

Next problem. Just weeks ago, car develops a engine "shudder" that started as a rough idle and develops into a stall that occurs intermittently.

Next problem. Odd thumping noises when brakes are applied. This doesn't happen every time, but when it does, it's very obvious.

End of story is that I put out my Volvo to pasture last week (Trade In). Even though I lost money on it, as a result of it's horrendous residual value, I'm happier than can be. Replaced it with a Scion xB, and am amazed at the build quality. Isn't there something wrong with the fact that a $30,000 car has the same build quality as a $15,000 car?

Hope Volvo got it better in the 2005's... Stay away from the pre-2005 AT ALL COSTS THOUGH. READ THE EDMUNDS REVIEWS!!!