2001 Volvo V40: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
33,451 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 11 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 36.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 18.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 18.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 9.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Air Bags: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm): 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2002: 3; 2003: 3; 2005: 1; 2007: 2; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10023457 · 2003-06-20 (June 20, 2003)
VOLVO 2001 V-40 SATION WAGON: REAR BRAKE PADS COMPLETELY GONE BY 17000 MILES, LEADING TO ROTOR DAMAGE AND UNSAFE BRAKING. INSPECTION AT 15200 MILES SHOWED NO BRAKE RELATED ABNORMALITIES. VOLVO CUSTOMER RELATIONS SAID FAST WEARING OUT OF BRAKES IS COMMON IN THIS MODEL. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 17,002 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025922 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
TRANSMISSION SLIPS, RPM/SPEED INCREASES AT APPROX 30 MPH INTERMITTENTLY AND AFTER A TURN FOR APPROX 1-2 SECONDS, CAUSING AN UNSAFE, AND ALARMING EXPERIENCE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025922 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025924 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
NO BRAKES UPON INITIAL START AND SHORTLY THERAFTER, VEHICLE IDLED FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 HOURS. DEALER RESET CHECK VALVE AND SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE TO REPLACE ASSEMBLY, COMPUTER SAID OKAY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10132411 · 2005-08-11 (August 11, 2005)
OVER THE WEEKEND MY CHECK ENGINE CAME ON IN MY V40 WAGON. WHEN IDLE IT ACTED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STALL. A FEW TIMES IT DID, WHEN IDLE AT A STOP. IT DID RESTART MOST OF THE TIME RIGHT AWAY, BUT A FEW TIMES IT TOOK A COUPLE OF TRIES AND WAITING. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE ON 6/28. ON 6/27 I WAS TAKING MY 7 MONTH OLD BABY TO DAY CARE WHEN IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WENT COMPLETELY DEAD WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. …
Owner-reported narrative. 41,901 miles reported. Look up ODI 10132411 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10193132 · 2007-06-13 (June 13, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V40. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105000. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO BOTH VOLVO REPAIR SHOPS AND LOCAL MECHANICS NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS FAILURE. THEY ARE ABLE TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF; HOWEVER, IT USUALLY COMES BACK ON WITHIN THREE WEEKS. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE ENGINE SIZE IS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS PROVIDED BUT APPEARS TO BE INVALID.
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10193132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201268 · 2007-08-30 (August 30, 2007)
2005 (SEP/NOV/DEC): ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON 3 TIMES. DEALER REPAIRED ALL 3 TIMES AND FOLLOWING MONTHS, WHICH IS 2006, HAVING SUDDEN SHIFTING/ACCELARATING AT LOW SPEED. DEALER FIXED 2 TIMES AND 1 TIME COULDNOT FIND THE ISSUE. AUG. 18, 2007: CONTINUED HAVING SAME PROBLEMS PLUS CAR WAS JERKING ON FWY SPEED. TWO DAYS LATER, I COULDN'T START THE CAR. DEALER REPLACE NEG. BATTERY CABLE AND #4 IGNITION COIL. AUG.21, 2007: CALLED TO INFORM VOLVO NORTH AMERICA AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT I SHOULD TALK TO DEALER SERVICE MANAGER. AUG. 27, 2007: THE CAR …
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10201268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10407512 · 2011-06-20 (June 20, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO V40. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HE HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE POWER ASSIST VACUUM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 154,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10407512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 752391 · 2001-09-19 (September 19, 2001)
IN A MINIMAL ACCIDENT WITH NO PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING EXCESSIVE AND NEEDLESS DAMAGE TO THE CAR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 752391 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 ↗