2001 Volvo S40 problems and owner complaints
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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 10091894 · 2004-10-01 (October 1, 2004)
WHEN ACCELERATING VEHICLE WOULD DOWN SHIFT GEARS. THE DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK THE DEALER HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION JERKING OCCURRED, THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. THERE WOULD BE A BURNING OIL SMELL, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT RELEASE AND WOULD STICK INTERMITTENTLY, THE STEERING WHEEL SQUEAKED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD SQUEAK, AND THE SPEAKER WAS ERRATIC. *SC TRHE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE OUT, THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 44,594 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10131175 · 2005-08-02 (August 2, 2005)
I HAVE A 2001 VOLVO, MODEL S40. DURING THE LAST SIX MONTHS, I'VE EXPERIENCED A STALLED CAR ENGINE -- ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT. WHEN THE STALL HAPPENS, I MUST FLOOR THE ACCELERATOR TO RESTART THE ENGINE AGAIN. THIS PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THOSE ALREADY REPORTED TO THE NHTSA FOR OTHER VOLVO MODELS FOR THE YEARS 1999 TO 2001. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 37,498 miles reported. Look up ODI 10131175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10133924 · 2005-08-23 (August 23, 2005)
VEHICLE HESITATES UPON ACCERLERATION , ALMOST TO THE POINT IT FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS GOING TO STALL. I HAD THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL VOLVO DEALER BACK IN NOVEMEBER OF 2004, BUT AFTER $700.00 IN DIAGNOSTIC CHARGES NO PROBLEM WAS DETECTED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10133924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 748113 · 2001-07-08 (July 8, 2001)
THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT IT IS A TRANSAXLE PROBLEM, AND THEY "HAVE NO IDEA WHY IT IS HAPPENING" (SIC) . THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN A LOUD SCREECHING BEGAN, AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SHUDDER, SUPPLYING POWER OFF AND ON TO ONLY ONE WHEEL, JERKING THE CAR AROUND THE ROAD WITH MINIMAL CONTROL, ALMOST CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE HAPPENED AT 40 MILES PER HOUR, THE SAME LOUD SCREECH, FOLLOWED BY AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POW…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 748113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 757298 · 2002-01-24 (January 24, 2002)
FUEL GAUGE REPORTS INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READINGS. RATE AT WHICH GAUGE DEPLETES IS TOO RAPID SUCH THAT WHEN GAUGE REGISTERS 1/2 TANK, 3/4 TANK OF FUEL EXISTS, WHEN GAUGE REGISTERS 1/4 TANK, 1/2 TANK EXISTS, AND SO ON. GAUGE REGISTERS 3-4 GALLONS LESS THAN WHAT IS IN THE FUEL TANK (CAPACITY: 16 GALLONS). PROBLEM REPORTED TO DEALERSIP TWICE. DEALER ADVISES THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS ISSUE-- STATES THAT VOLVO NORTH AMERICA DOES NOT HAVE A FIX CURRENTLY UNDER DEVELOPMENT. PROBLEM BEGAN TO OCCUR APPROX 3 TO 4 MONTHS AFTER NEW VEHICLE PURCHAS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 757298 at NHTSA ↗