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2000 Volvo S40

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most S40 years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Volvo S40 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 26.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

47 reports with mileage · 75 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

13 reports
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103,000 miles · Jan 29, 2016
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

THIS HAPPENED YESTERDAY 1/28/16 AND IN APRIL 2015 (THE DEALERSHIP "FIXED IT" BUT IT DIDN'T WORK!!!!) YESTERDAY, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE CAR DID THE SCARIEST THING I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STANDSTIL…

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THIS HAPPENED YESTERDAY 1/28/16 AND IN APRIL 2015 (THE DEALERSHIP "FIXED IT" BUT IT DIDN'T WORK!!!!) YESTERDAY, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE CAR DID THE SCARIEST THING I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STANDSTILL. NO POWER AT ALL. IT DIDN'T SLOW TO A STALL, NO WEIRD SOUNDS...IT JUST LITERALLY STOPPED IN IT'S TRACKS. RIGHT THERE, IN THE ROAD. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR SHUT OFF. WHEN I SAY SHUT OFF I MEAN THE HEADLIGHTS, DOME LIGHTS, ENGINE....ANYTHING THAT WAS ELECTRICAL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THIS WOULD INCLUDE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. IMAGINE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY/HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WITH TRAFFIC AROUND YOU AND YOUR LIGHTS GOING OUT, STEERING WHEEL LOCKING AND HAVING NO WAY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THIS COULD HAVE KILLED ME AND MY BABY. LAST NIGHT, I HAS NIGHTMARES ALL NIGHT LONG OF THAT HAPPENING ON THE FREEWAY OR THE TRESTLE WITH MY BABY. WHERE I DRIVE FREQUENTLY. HAD THAT HAVE HAPPENED THERE, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED ESPECIALLY IF A SEMI TRUCK WAS BEHIND ME, AS IS OFTEN THE CASE. THEY CAN'T STOP THAT FAST. MOST PEOPLE CAN'T STOP THAT FAST GOING 55-75 MPH. I HAD BEEN ON THE TRESTLE ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT HAPPENED. AND I AM PETRIFIED TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED SINCE I OFTEN HAVE MY BABY IN THE CAR. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP IN SERVICE. THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON, SO THERE ARE NO CODES. THEY CANNOT GET IT DO IT AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10823121

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2007
Electrical System

THE STARTER KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN THE FORWARD POSITION, I HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN IT BACK TO THE CORRECT POSITION. ALSO, IT IS TAKING ABOUT 5 SECONDS TO START THE CAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10178299

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2005
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

BOUGHT A NEW 2000 VOLVO S40 IN APRIL OF 2000. THE CAR NOW HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT....LIGHT DRIVING BY MOST STANDARDS. AT 18,000 MILES REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF MORE THAN $400. FRONT AND REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ANOTHER TIME SINCE THEN. ON 9/21/05, I HAVE NOW ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AT A …

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BOUGHT A NEW 2000 VOLVO S40 IN APRIL OF 2000. THE CAR NOW HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT....LIGHT DRIVING BY MOST STANDARDS. AT 18,000 MILES REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF MORE THAN $400. FRONT AND REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ANOTHER TIME SINCE THEN. ON 9/21/05, I HAVE NOW ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AT A COST OF $600. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE READ A LOT OF OTHER DISCUSSIONS ONLINE FROM OTHER 2000 VOLVO S40 OWNERS WHO ALSO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CAR RUNNING THROUGH BRAKES EVERY 15-20,000 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10137305

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2004
Electrical System

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 DUPLI…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10082461

6,000 miles · Jan 6, 2004
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

DEALER REPLACED, IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, HEADLIGHTS/ALTERNATOR/TAIL LIGHTS, AND SIGNAL LIGHTS, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS STILL OCCURRING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10053451

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2003
Electrical System

UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FOR THE IGNITION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10028713

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2002
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, CANNOT LOCATE SOURCE OF PROBLEM, PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8003659

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2001
Electrical System

BUTTONS IN STEERING FOR HORN CAN BE DEPRESSED 1/2 INCH WITH HEAVY FORCE APPLIED TO THEM BEFORE HORN WILL ACTIVATE. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND REPLACED CONNECTORS. THIS FAILED TO REMEDY PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS.

NHTSA ODI #898588

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2001
Electrical SystemEquipmentPower Train

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, MY CAR ENGINE STOPPED. AFTER BEING IN THE SHOP FOR A MONTH, THEY DETECTED THAT THE TACKOMETER WAS BAD AND REPLACE IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR ANYMORE. IT HAS NOT OCCURRED AGAIN BUT I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED. REGARDING THE RADIO, WE HAVE …

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WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, MY CAR ENGINE STOPPED. AFTER BEING IN THE SHOP FOR A MONTH, THEY DETECTED THAT THE TACKOMETER WAS BAD AND REPLACE IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN THAT I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR ANYMORE. IT HAS NOT OCCURRED AGAIN BUT I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED. REGARDING THE RADIO, WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS OVER THE LAST YEAR. I HAVE HAD THEM LOOK AT THE PROBLEM AT LEAST 12 TIMES. WE ARE HAVING STATIC THROUGHOUT THE CHICAGOLAND AREA.*AK

NHTSA ODI #753950

Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2001
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic

BOTH HEADLIGHTS ALMOST SIMUTANEOUSLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND MADE REPAIRS. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH BULBS,AT 16766 THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED, THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT SINCE ASBESTOS HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM BRAKE PADS THAT THE BRAKE LIFE IS SHORTER. NLM CONSUMER SUGGEST THAT MANUFACTURER DESIGN A BACK UP…

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BOTH HEADLIGHTS ALMOST SIMUTANEOUSLY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND MADE REPAIRS. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH BULBS,AT 16766 THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED, THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT SINCE ASBESTOS HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM BRAKE PADS THAT THE BRAKE LIFE IS SHORTER. NLM CONSUMER SUGGEST THAT MANUFACTURER DESIGN A BACK UP LIGHTING SYSTEM IN CASE OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #896504

Official recalls

1

03V474000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Nov 17, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, WATER CAN ENTER THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, CAUSING THE PUMP TO FAIL.

Consequence & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA02026 · Volvo S40/V40 My 2000-2001

Opened Sep 10, 2002 · Closed Nov 21, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

IN A NOVEMBER 6, 2003 SAFETY DEFECT REPORT, VOLVO INDICATED THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT RECALL OF THE 2000 MODEL YEAR (MY) SUBJECT VEHICLES (ABOUT 36,000 VEHICLES).VOLVO WILL ALSO CONDUCT A SERVICE CAMPAIGN OF ABOUT 31,000 2001 MY SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI INVESTIGATED BOTH THE 2000 AND 2001 MY VEHICLES AND DETERMINED THAT THE 2001 MY VEHICLES EXPERIENCED SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER RATES OF FAILURES BASED ON THE NUMBER OF OWNER REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED TO ODI.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE PROPOSED ACTION IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THIS INVESTIGATION'S SAFETY ISSUES. FOR THE CRASHES, IN ADDITION TO THE 22 SUBMITTED BY VOLVO, ODI FOUND 10 ADDITIONAL CRASH ALLEGATIONS IN THE OWNER REPORTS, FIELD REPORTS, AND WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED BY VOLVO.OF THESE 32 CRASHES, ODI BELIEVES THAT 10 ARE CLEARLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT, AND 5 APPEAR TO BE RELATED.OF THE 17 REMAINING CASES, TWO DID NOT INVOLVE A CRASH AND THE OTHER 15 COULD NOT BE DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ODI WILL SUPPLEMENT THIS RESUME WITH A CLOSING REPORT AND ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL DETAILS CONCERNING THE DEFECT.

PE02009 · Brake POWER-ASSIST

Opened Jan 29, 2002 · Closed Sep 10, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

No summary supplied.