Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2001 Volvo V40
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
433.3%
Median failure at 25,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
325.0%
Median failure at 41,901 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
216.7%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
18.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
18.3%
Airbags
18.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
116.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
350.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
116.7%
150,000+ miles
116.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2001peak 3Jun 2011
NHTSA investigations into the 2001 Volvo V40
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA02026Opened 10 Sep 2002Closed 21 Nov 2003SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
VOLVO S40/V40 MY 2000-2001
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,...
Recalls on the 2001 Volvo V40
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 200606614,000 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Certain Volvo 850, S40, V40, V50, V70, XC70 and XC90 equipped with integrated child booster cushions were incorrectly labelled during vehicle assembly. The label indicates that the booster cushion can be used for children weighing between 15 and 36 kg (33 and 80 lb). CMVSS 213 states that the minimum weight for use must be 18 kg (40 lb). Should an underweight child be placed in the booster cushion and the vehicle is involved in a crash, the child may have a greater risk of injury. Correction: Volvo Canada will send a letter to owners explaining this problem and will supply updated weight limit decal to be applied to each side window.
Recall 20011713,723 units in Canada
Heater And Defroster
Certain Sedan and wagon vehicles. A diode in the electronic climate control system may have a reduced service life. If the diode fails, the heater fan stops operating and the defroster function is affected. Correction: Dealers will install an adapter with a diode fitted to the heater fan motor.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Metairie, LACrash
AIR BAGS
IN A MINIMAL ACCIDENT WITH NO PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING EXCESSIVE AND NEEDLESS DAMAGE TO THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #752391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 154,000 milesConney, GA
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 CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10407512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesGlendale, CA
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 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 complaint #10201268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesHickory, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 complaint #10193132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,901 milesTallahassee, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10132411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Petersburg, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10025922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Petersburg, FL
VEHICLE 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.
NHTSA complaint #10025922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesST Petersburg, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10025924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,002 milesMontgomery Village, MD
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 complaint #10023457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Prospect, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
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 complaint #769522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boston, MA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHILE DRIVING IN A SNOWSTORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #8002282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boston, MA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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.
NHTSA complaint #8002283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Metairie, LACrash
AIR BAGS
IN A MINIMAL ACCIDENT WITH NO PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING EXCESSIVE AND NEEDLESS DAMAGE TO THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #752391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.