34 of the 94 complaints filed about the Volvo V40 are about the braking system — 36% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2000.
34
Complaints
36%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO V40. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
NHTSA complaint #10876490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES FAILED COMING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. ABLE TO STOP CAR BY USING EMERGENCY BRAKE. COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. BROUGHT TO BE SERVICED. MECHANIC REPORTED THAT IT WAS FAILED LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE DUE TO SPRING SUPPORT RUBBING THROUGH. THIS HOSE HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. MECHANIC ALSO REPORTED THAT RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SAME REASON. AN APPOINTMENT FOR THIS HAS BEEN SCHEDULED AND PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. HE FEELS THIS WILL BE A DESIGN ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10355663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
"2003 VOLVO V40 COLD START BRAKE FAILURE" ON COLD WINTER MORNINGS, WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING, AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED AND AS I BACK OUT OF MY GARAGE, THE BRAKE IS SO WEAK THAT I CANNOT EFFECTIVELY STOP THE VEHICLE. I WOULD NEED TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AS HARD AS I CAN AND THE CAR WOULD STOP IN ABOUT A FULL CAR'S LENGTH. IT'S QUITE SCARY. THE PROBLEM ALWAYS GOES AWAY IN ABOUT 1 TO 2 MINUTES. THIS ONLY HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY, ABOUT 2 TO 3 TIMES A MONTH IN THE WINTER, BUT I AM NOT ABLE TO PREDICT WHEN IT HAPPENS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO MY VOLVO DEALERSHIP AND LEFT MY CAR THERE OVERNIGHT. BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCED THE FAILURE. THEY SUGGESTED ME TO REPLACE THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER PUMP. SO I DID AND PAID FOR A NEW BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER PUMP. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED OR ALLEVIATED. KNOWING THIS COULD HAPPEN ANY TIME, I AVOID USING MY VOLVO IN THE WINTER AND USE EXTRA CAUTION DURING OTHER TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10331101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A USED 2002 VOLVO V40 WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN 2002. HE STATED THAT IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP, HE HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, INCLUDING 5 MPH. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD BE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR-BOARDS BEFORE THEY WOULD ACTIVATE. ALTHOUGH RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 03V474000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST, VACUUM IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE AS A RESULT OF NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA02026, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS AWAITING REPAIRS, TO DATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10300349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN A CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES WATER CAN ENTER THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, CAUSING THE PUMP TO FAIL. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V474000, REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST VACUUM. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10156816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ON APRIL 13, 2005 AT APPROXIMATELY 4 PM, I WAS BACKING MY V40 VOLVO 2004 WAGON OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT THE KOSSMAN GARAGE, LIBERTY AVENUE,PITTSBURGH, PA, GOING SLOWLY BECAUSE IT WAS A TIGHT SPACE, WHEN MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK, AT ALL. DESPITE PUSHING MY BRAKES AS FAR AS THEY WOULD GO, THE CAR DID NOT STOP, AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE SUPPORT BEAM, CRASHING IN THE ENTIRE BACK WINDOW AND DENTING THE BACK BUMPER VERTICALLY WHERE THE TALL CONCRETE BEAM HIT IT. THANK GOODNESS, NO PEOPLE WERE HURT, AND I WAS NOT INJURED EITHER. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE DAMAGED, BECAUSE THE BEAM WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND ME, THANK GOODNESS. THE VOLVO HEADQUARTERS INSPECTED THE CAR AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, BUT THERE WAS INDEED SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THROUGH MY INSURER, AMICA, I BECAME AWARE OF THE REPORTED HYDRAULICS PRO BLEM WITH BRAKES ON CERTAIN V40 VOLVO 2004 CARS. I ALSO FOUND A WEBSITE SHOWING A NOVEMBER, 2004 RECALL NOTICE REQUIRED TO BE SENT BY THE NATIONAL TRAFFIC AND MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT TO OWNERS OF SUCH VEHILCES, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED SUCH A NOTICE. WHAT IS MORE, EVEN AFTER MY ACCIDENT, THE COMPANY HAS NEVER TOLD ME OF SUCH A PROBLEM. I FOUND OUT TODAY ABOUT THIS, THANKS TO MY INSURER WHO RESEARCHED THIS. THE CAR IS NOW BEING REPAIRED, AT MY AND MY INSURERS EXPENSE, ALTHOUGH IT MAY BE DUE TO THE FAULTY BRAKES NOTED IN THE RECALL. I THINK THERE IS SOME RESPONSE NEEDED FROM VOLVO FOR NOT INFORMING ME OF THIS RECALL, FOR INDICATING IT WAS MY FAULT, AND FOR NOT BEING WILLING TO EVEN SEND ME A MEMO BASED ON THEIR EVALUATION OF MY CAR. MY INSURER IS ALSO WANTING TO KNOW WHAT THEIR RESPONSE IS.
NHTSA complaint #10121869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
RECALL NOTICE REGARDING 2000 VOLVO V-40 BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10079319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
BRAKE SYSTEM IN CAR WORKS POORLY WHEN CAR IS COLD OR LEFT FOR A FEW HOURS. SIGNIFICANTLY MORE BRAKE PRESSURE IS REQUIRED TO STOP THE CAR WHEN CAR IS COLD. PROBLEM HAS BEEN "FIXED" THREE TIMES BUT HAS RETURNED AGAIN. EVIDENTLY THIS IS RELATED TO FAILURE OF A VACUUM PUMP USED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL BRAKE VACUUM FOR THE MASTER CYLINDER WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD.
NHTSA complaint #10030825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
BRAKE SYSTEM IN CAR WORKS POORLY WHEN CAR IS COLD OR LEFT FOR A FEW HOURS. SIGNIFICANTLY MORE BRAKE PRESSURE IS REQUIRED TO STOP THE CAR WHEN CAR IS COLD. PROBLEM HAS BEEN "FIXED" THREE TIMES BUT HAS RETURNED AGAIN. EVIDENTLY THIS IS RELATED TO FAILURE OF A VACUUM PUMP USED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL BRAKE VACUUM FOR THE MASTER CYLINDER WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD.
NHTSA complaint #10030825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MOISTURE IN THE VACUUM SYSTEM CAUSED THE VACUUM PUMP TO FAIL. WHEN IT WAS COLD THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES DIDN'T FUNCTION AT ALL. THE REAR BRAKES FAILED DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PAY TO REPLACE THE SYSTEM *AK
NHTSA complaint #10031964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED THE ABS BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10011979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
UNPREDICTABLE EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE ON VOLVO MODELS V40 AND V70. VOLVO HAS A TSB THAT REMEDIES THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM (SHOULD BE A RECALL!!!)
NHTSA complaint #10000114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE, WHICH BEGAN IN THE FIRST WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP AND HAS CONTINUED TO THE PRESENT, AND WHICH INCLUDES BOTH THE BRAKE POWER ASSIST SYSTEM WHICH IS REFLECTED IN A NON-RESPONSE TO DEPRESSION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND AN EXCESSIVE AND UNEVEN BRAKE PAD PROBLEM. EXTENSIVE BUT FRUITLESS COMMUNICATIONS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED WITH VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES RESULTING IN THE PREPARATION OF A LEGAL COMPLAINT FOR WHICH RELIEF WILL BE SOUGHT UNDER COLORADO'S LEMON LAW AND UNDER THEORIES OF FRAUD AND BREACH OF WARRANTY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #767618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
VOLVO OF NO AM CONTACTED ABOUT WEAR OF BRAKE PADS. THEY OFFERED A 15% DISCOUNT ON THE REPAIR BILL AND CLAIM NO LIABILITY ON THEIR PART FOR THE POOR WEAR,LACK OF QUALITY CONTROL IN CHOOSING THE PAD MATERIAL, FAILURE TO ALERT CONSUMERS OF THE DEFECTIVE WEAR AND POTENTIAL DANGER, ESP. THOSE OWNERS WHO ARE NOT DILIGENT ABOUT INSPECTING THEIR BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #763602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
BRAKES FAILED ON MAY 17. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. BRAKES FAILED ON MAY 28. DEALER REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AND WHEEL CYLINDER. BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AGAIN ON 6/12/2002.
NHTSA complaint #762989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
BRAKES FAILED ON MAY 17. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. BRAKES FAILED ON MAY 28. DEALER REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AND WHEEL CYLINDER. BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AGAIN ON 6/12/2002.
NHTSA complaint #762989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.