1999 Volvo V40 review from North America

Anyone have a miss issue that cannot be diagnosed or fixed?

Funny, I found this board again after seven years and was reading away on someone's entry. Wow, that sounds just like my car!!! Lo and behold, it was my entry from 2001.

I still own my 2000 Volvo V40. It's been paid for, for many years.

Volvo had a recall and installed some type of pump, which resulted in brakes not having to be replaced every 15,000 miles or so. Last time my mechanic changed the brakes, he stated the rotors really required replacing too, but we eeked out another set of pads without replacing them.

My struts have been fully replaced.

About 3 years ago, the check engine light came on. Took it to a Volvo dealership and they said it was the valves and wanted to do complete engine/valve job $2,000+. Husband drove it out of there for a 2nd opinion. Needless to say, it's 3 years later and we never have replaced the valves.

Last year something broke on the exhaust/converter that was a Volvo only part, no longer under warranty. My mechanic would have been able to get a part from somewhere in CA for $637.36. Merlin wanted about $1,000 to replace it. Another mechanic shop just did a weld and, knock on wood, so far it's held up.

Both of my rear springs are broken. I haven't fixed them, mechanic said not necessary.

But, the thing that is really bothersome. All of a sudden my car got extremely loud and began running rough. Mechanic was able to fix it, the noise component of things, but for over a year now, I have dealt with the miss on start-up, some days worse than others. The car never shuts off, just misses a bit on idle, never on acceleration or during driving. This morning, the check engine went back on, but car appears to be running okay. Will take back to mechanic and I'm certain he'll tell me I need to have a brake job and those back springs are still broken and need replacing. All in all, paying $1,200 a year for maintenance is better than a new car payment.

Would I buy a Volvo ever again, no way!!!