2001 Volvo S40: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
84 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
67,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 49 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 84 complaints (10.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 31 | 36.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 7.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.4% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.2% |
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 | 9 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Electrical System: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 6; Engine: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 4; Air Bags: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 3
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 35 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 | 1 |
| 2001 | 14 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 14; 2002: 6; 2003: 11; 2004: 8; 2005: 6; 2006: 5; 2007: 4; 2008: 3; 2009: 3; 2010: 7; 2011: 4; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 31 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 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 10002991 · 2003-01-20 (January 20, 2003)
FOR MONTHS, THE SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON IN THE CAR. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR 6 TIMES. EACH TIME, THE LIGHT COMES BACK ON. VOLVO ENGINEER CAME IN FRIDAY TO SUPERVISE THE REPAIR OF CAR. SATURDAY EVENING THE LIGHT WENT ON. TWO WEEKS AGO, DEALER LOANED ME A 2003 V40 FOR SEVERAL DAYS WHILE THEY WORKED ON CAR. SURPRISE! SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON IN LOANER CAR. DURING LAST VISIT TO DEALER, TWO PEOPLE IN FRONT OF ME WERE COMING IN FOR SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT! THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. I AM ON A LEASE, AND ASKING FACTORY …
Owner-reported narrative. 52 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002991 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020803 · 2003-05-31 (May 31, 2003)
WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, A WATER BALLOON HIT THE SUN ROOF OF THE CAR AND IT SHATTERED. *TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022133 · 2003-06-03 (June 3, 2003)
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 25MPH AND NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022133 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022349 · 2003-05-28 (May 28, 2003)
CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE TWO REAR BRAKE PADS AFTER 10230. IN ADDITION, HEADLIGHTS BURNED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. POWER STEERING WHEEL SHAFT. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 10,230 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022349 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022816 · 2003-07-10 (July 10, 2003)
BRAKE POWER ASSIST FAILED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE BRAKES WERE SOFT UPON COLD STARTS AND WAS DISFUNCTIONAL UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAD WARMED UP. THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED ON FIVE OCCASIONS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE VACUUM HOSE TWICE. A REPRESENTATIVE OF VOLVO RECOMMENDED NEW WIRING AND IT SEEMED TO HAVE REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023312 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)
I HAD THE BRAKES SERVICED ON MY 2001 VOLVO S40 AT THE VOLVO DEALER. AT ONLY 21,500 MILES THE REAR BRAKES WERE GRINDING LOUDLY. I COMPLAINED TO VOLVO CONSUMER SERVICES FROM THEIR WEB PAGE. THEY WERE NOT ONLY NOT SURPRISED AT THE REAR BRAKE FAILURE AT 21,500 MILES, BUT SAID THAT THEY USUALLY GO OUT BETWEEN 10K AND 20K MILES. THE REAR BRAKES ON THAT VEHICLE ARE POORLY DESIGNED, CREATING A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT HAZARD BECAUSE OF CONSUMERS' IGNORANCE OF THEIR UNDER-ENGINEERING. AN AMERICAN CAR WOULD LIKELY GET AS MUCH AS 80K MILES OUT OF THE REAR BRAK…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024955 · 2003-07-24 (July 24, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, WHILE THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *A *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024955 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029488 · 2003-07-17 (July 17, 2003)
THE TIRES WERE NOT SET CORRECTLY ON THE HUB, AND WHILE DRIVING, THE LUGS:NUTS LOOSENED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 32,904 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029488 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V169000 · Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
Reported: 2001-05-21 (May 21, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN AND WAGON PASSENGER VEHICLES. A DIODE IN THE ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM MAY HAVE A REDUCED SERVICE LIFE.
Consequence: IF THE DIODE FAILS, THE HEATER FAN STOPS OPERATING AND THE DEFROSTER FUNCTION IS AFFECTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADAPTER WITH A DIODE FITTED TO THE HEATER FAN MOTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 11, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V284000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA campaign record ↗