2000 Volvo S40: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
122 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
73,458 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 47 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 122 complaints (13.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 54 | 44.3% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 3.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 3.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 17 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 11 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 9 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 8 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 4 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 17; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 9; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 8; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum: 5; Electrical System: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 9 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 9; 150,000 and above: 2
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 75 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 22 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 20 |
| 2004 | 16 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2000: 10; 2001: 22; 2002: 11; 2003: 20; 2004: 16; 2005: 7; 2006: 5; 2007: 7; 2008: 3; 2009: 6; 2010: 4; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 54 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006853 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
THE RELAY THAT CONTROLLED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006853 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006854 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
THE RELAY THAT CONTROLLED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006854 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010055 · 2003-03-06 (March 6, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010055 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011287 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT,THE WINDSHIELD BLEW OUT, THE SEATS RECLINED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011287 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015719 · 2003-04-11 (April 11, 2003)
THE HEAD LIGHTS FAILED. *JB *TS
Owner-reported narrative. 14,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019747 · 2003-05-13 (May 13, 2003)
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK LUNGED BACKWARDS WITH THE SLIGHTEST TOUCH OR MOVEMENT. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN DEFECT. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019747 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022718 · 2003-07-18 (July 18, 2003)
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR AN OIL CHANGE WHEN THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT THE REAR BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY GONE. THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TOTAL COST FOR ALL REPAIRS WERE $545.61. *AK ALSO THE SEAT BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED. *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 14,469 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022718 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028698 · 2003-07-21 (July 21, 2003)
VEHICLE PULL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10028698 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V474000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum
Reported: 2003-11-17 (November 17, 2003)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, WATER CAN ENTER THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, CAUSING THE PUMP TO FAIL.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST AND AN INCREASE IN NEEDED BRAKE PEDAL FORCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PUMP WITH A NEW AND IMPROVED VERSION AND MOVE THE PUMP TO A NEW LOCATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA campaign record ↗