2000 Volvo S40 problems and owner complaints
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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 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 10083938 · 2004-07-30 (July 30, 2004)
WHEN DRIVING WITHIN 10-15 MPH OR 30-35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE BEEN TO THE DEALER ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10202377 · 2007-09-10 (September 10, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL SAFELY OFF THE ROAD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAUSE OF THE LEAKAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD A MAINTENANCE PACKAGE PERFORMED ON AUGUST 9, 2007 AND NO FAILURES WERE FOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,000. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE EXPECTS TO BE REIMBURSED THE FULL $3,000 FOR REPAIRS. THE CONSUMER STATED UPON MAINTENANCE REPAIR T…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10202377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082461 · 2004-07-22 (July 22, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE WILL LOOSE ELECTRICAL POWER AND SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING LIGHTS WILL DIM AND FLICKER. SOMETIMES THE ENGINE WILL STUMBLE. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE AND THE AC IS ON. THIS HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN CAR IS AT IDLE OR LOW SPEEDS. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10082461 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091612 · 2004-09-08 (September 8, 2004)
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 03-V-474-000 FOR REPLACEMENT OF ELECTRICAL BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. SPOKE WITH A SERVICE MANAGER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10091612 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031061 · 2003-08-08 (August 8, 2003)
RECENTLY PURCHASED USED 2000 VOLVO S40 SEDAN. THE HORN IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE, WHICH I CONSIDER TO BE A DANGEROUS SAFETY PROBLEM. WHEN I POINTED THIS OUT TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN, HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE PLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG MODULE IN THE STEERING COLUMN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031061 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10255194 · 2009-01-15 (January 15, 2009)
CUSTOMERS CAR BROKE DOWN, LOST STEERING CONTROL, INNER AND OUTER TIE-ROD END CAME APART AT THREADS, NO APARENT DAMAGE TO PARTS, REPLACED BOTH PARTS, SAVED OLD PARTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10255194 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10175999 · 2006-12-12 (December 12, 2006)
VEHICLE: VOLVO, S40 (YEAR:2000), MILES: 95,000 VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS IN LINE WITH THE OTHER 360,000 RECALLED VOLVOS INVOLVING ETM. WHY IS S40 NOT PART OF RECALL? LAST WEEKEND VEHICLE HAD RECURRENCE OF CONTINUING PROBLEM. VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY DOWN SHIFTS AT ROAD AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS HAS RESULTS IN RAPID SLOWING OF VEHICLE AND A MASSIVE RPM SURGE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VEHICLE ACTS LIKE IT SHIFTS INTO "SAFE" OR "LIMP" MODE, BUT THERE ARE NO TROUBLE LIGHTS THAT COME ON. HAVE REPLACED MA…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10175999 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10357892 · 2010-09-27 (September 27, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED IN 2008 AND THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR UNTIL 2010. MOST RECENTLY, THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A PARKING LOT WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING INTO PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HER MODEL WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY RECALLS THEREFORE ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HER EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10357892 at NHTSA ↗