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2001 Volvo V40

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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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

Limited mileage data: 6 of 11 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

11 reports
154,000 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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 C…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10407512

56,000 miles · Aug 30, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 CO…

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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 IS HAVING SAME ISSUE: SUDDEN SHIFTING @ LOW SPEED & JERKING ON FWY SPEED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN THE CAR IS GOING TO STALL MIDDLE OF FWY. I TOLD THE DEALER THAT THE CAR SYMPTONS ARE VERY MUCH LIKE ETM PROBLEM (RECALL) ON OTHER MODELS. AUG. 29,2007: DEALER REPLACED ANOTHER #3 IGNITION COIL AND SPARK PLUG. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES I WILL HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPEAT REPAIR. THE DEALER DIDN'T BOTHER TO CHECK ETM UNIT. SO FAR, I AM LUCKY THAT I HAVEN'T GOTTEN ACCIDENT. (SAME DEALER SERVICE MY CAR SINCE 2001)

NHTSA ODI #10201268

25,000 miles · Jun 13, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 DE…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #10193132

41,901 miles · Aug 11, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

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…

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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. I HAD A BIT OF TROUBLE RESTARTING IT - BUT IT EVENTUALLY RESTARTED. I WAS VERY NERVOUS THE REST OF THE WAY TO THE DAY CARE, BUT I MADE IT WITHOUT IT STALLING. I WAS ABLE TO LEAVE THE DAY CARE AND DECIDED TO GET TO WORK AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT STALLED AGAIN. AFTER MANY TRIES AND 30 MINUTES LATER IT STARTED AND I MADE IT TO WORK. I HAD IT TOWED TO VOLVO. THEY FOUND A POWER SUPPLY INTERRUPTION CODE -ECM30 AND REPLACED THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR. PICKED UP THE CAR LATER THAT DAY AND ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK THE CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AGAIN. AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY IT STARTED STALLING AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK TO VOLVO ON 6/28. THEY WORKED ON IT FOR 5 HOURS WHILE I WAITED. THEY REPLACED THE FRONT OXYGEN SENSOR, STILL HAD PROBLEMS, REPLACED THE REAR OXYGEN SENSOR, THE LIGHT STILL CAME BACK ON. REPLACED BOTH SENSORS AGAIN AND LOADED SOFTWARE. THAT SEEMED TO DO THE TRICK. I HAVEN'T HAD THAT SAME PROBLEM AGAIN SO FAR. BUT I AM NOTICING THAT MY V40 SOMETIMES SLOWS (RPMS REV UP TO AROUND 4,000) WHEN ACCELERATING. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN I NEEDED TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC, VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. WHEN I READ IN THE PAPER ABOUT OTHER VOLVO MODELS HAVE SIMILAR OCCURRENCES, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE SOMEONE NEW OF THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM HAPPENING IN THE 2001 V40 WAGON. EVERY REPAIR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND DID NOT COST ME ANYTHING THANK GOODNESS. MY WARRANTY IS UP THIS WEEK -SURE HOPE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10132411

25,000 miles · Jul 11, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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

NHTSA ODI #10025924

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2003
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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

NHTSA ODI #10025922

17,002 miles · Jun 20, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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

NHTSA ODI #10023457

Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE BACKING VEHICLE OUT OF GARAGE IN MORNING THE BRAKES SOMETIMES BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO PUSH (HENCE, DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE). PRIOR TO VERY RECENTLY, THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED WHILE BACKING OUT OF OUR GARAGE DOWN THE DRIVEWAY (1-2% GRADE, ONLY). RECENTLY, THE PROBLEM IS BEGINNING TO OCCUR WHILE TRAVELING FORWARD, AGA…

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WHILE BACKING VEHICLE OUT OF GARAGE IN MORNING THE BRAKES SOMETIMES BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO PUSH (HENCE, DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE). PRIOR TO VERY RECENTLY, THE PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED WHILE BACKING OUT OF OUR GARAGE DOWN THE DRIVEWAY (1-2% GRADE, ONLY). RECENTLY, THE PROBLEM IS BEGINNING TO OCCUR WHILE TRAVELING FORWARD, AGAIN IT IS ONLY WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING FOR HOURS AND JUST STARTED. I HAVE YET TO CALL VOLVO. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN SO INTERMITTENT UP TO THIS POINT I KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN: WE WILL BE WITHOUT A CAR FOR A WEEK WHILE VOLVO DRIVES IT AND FINALLY REPORTS TO US THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM. HAVE YOU FOLKS HEARD ANYTHING ON THIS PECULIAR PROBLEM???? DT

NHTSA ODI #769522

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2002
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH ON A SNOWY HILL TRACTION CONTROL FAILED. VEHICLE WAS UNMOVEABLE. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, SENSOR WAS REPLACED. PLEASE ADD FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8002283

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2002
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOWSTORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8002282

Official recalls

2

03V284000 · Equipment:other:labels

Aug 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 & remedy

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.

01V169000 · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

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 & remedy

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.

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

1

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.