1999 Volvo V40 review from North America

Oil gasket leaking at 50,000.

Thermostat for climate control not working at 54,000.

Engine coolant sensor not working at 54,000.

Front brakes replaced every 20,000 miles. I'm on my second replacement set.

Front rotors gone at 54,000.

Rear brakes replaced last November and already 1/2 finished.

I am frustrated with this model of Volvo. I traded a Villager with 80,000 for a smaller, runaround town car and find the performance of the Volvo unsatisfactory. While most of the repairs were covered under either the new car warranty or the used car warranty, I have already spent over $1500.00 in repairs. I hate to think about what the future will bring.

Specifically, I find the replacement of brakes so often unacceptable. Of course, they look to the driving habit and the driver. These have not changed and on no car I've owed have I gone through brakes like this particular car does. In the 6 years I owned my Villager I replaced brakes twice.

Now the rotors! I've never replaced rotors on any vehicle. I also own a Ford Explorer with 84,000 miles and the rotors have never needed replacements.

I've tried to talk with the dealership about my concerns. They really don't want to hear it. I have, however, been told told by the service rep that I should have purchased the S60 or S80 because the brake system is different. Not sure how much to believe this, but I can infer lots of negative things from his comment.

Never again!