Major Problems with Volvo V40 Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Volvo V40 to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for Volvo V40

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Volvo V40.

Model Year Complaints
2004 V40
4
2003 V40
2
2002 V40
4
2001 V40
11
2000 V40
50

Worst 3 Volvo V40 complaints

2000 Volvo V40 VACUUM Victims: 2 Mileage: 29000 miles

2000 Volvo V40 SEATS

2000 Volvo V40 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Mileage: 83000 miles

Browse Volvo V40 complaints by category

Problems with ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Volvo V40 owners.

Problem Category Number of Problems
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
brakes not depressing happened on our car and on the loaner we have from volvo twice in the last week....
7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2003 volvo v40 cold start brake failure on cold winter mornings when temperature is below freezing after the engine is...
6
~ 49684 miles
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...
6
~ 54980 miles
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
5
~ 56799 miles
VACUUM > POWER ASSIST > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
tl*the contact owns a used 2002 volvo v40 which was purchased in 2002. he stated that in order for the...
4
~ 36000 miles
PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
at 15k miles front brake pads had to be replaced. dealer advised that is normal. rear brakes should last 30k
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
i have a 2002 volvo v40 and it has 50 200 miles. my daughter drives the car. i have noticed...
3
~ 44400 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
over the weekend my check engine came on in my v40 wagon. when idle it acted as if it was...
3
~ 31376 miles
COIL SPRINGS > SPRINGS > REAR
rear springs cracked on 2000 volvo v40 with only 63805 miles. *ak...
3
~ 47600 miles
FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
this is an ongoing problem with the brake system in this vehicle which began in the first weeks of ownership...
3
DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
rear brake pads are worn down to the metal and the metal is cutting into the rotor. dealer said it
3
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
brakes not depressing happened on our car and on the loaner we have from volvo twice in the last week....
3
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING
while driving the driver's seat back moves backward sometimes causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. the console...
3
BODY > STRUCTURE
there is s rip on my seat belt that could result to an injury or death. seat belt cover was...
2
~ 54750 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
there is s rip on my seat belt that could result to an injury or death. seat belt cover was...
2
~ 54750 miles
SPRINGS > REAR > SUSPENSION
upon returning to the dealership for the third time for a complaint about a suspicious sounding thump or clunk in...
2
~ 18724 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN
transmission slips rpm/speed increases at approx 30 mph intermittently and after a turn for approx 1-2 seconds causing an unsafe
2
POWER ASSIST > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
while backing vehicle out of garage in morning the brakes sometimes become very difficult to push (hence difficult to stop...
2
~ 7500 miles
MASTER CYLINDER > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
brakes failed on may 17. dealer could not find problem. brakes failed on may 28. dealer replaced master cylinder and
2
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY
while driving in a snowstorm windshield wipers failed.*ak...
2
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
electrical system has total failure and shorted within one week of purchase unresolved problems with brake and dsm warning lights
2
SERVICE BRAKES
tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo v40. while driving 15 mph the brakes malfunctioned. the contact depressed the brake...
1
~ 44000 miles
SEAT BELTS
there is s rip on my seat belt that could result to an injury or death. seat belt cover was...
1
~ 109500 miles
POWER TRAIN
2000 volvo v40 - very well maintained 2nd owner approximately 83 000 miles. i started noticing that the car would...
1
~ 83000 miles
STEERING
failure of upper strut mount bushings causing loss of suspension / steering. replaced for the third time on 2000 v-40...
1
~ 70000 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION
failure of upper strut mount bushings causing loss of suspension / steering. replaced for the third time on 2000 v-40...
1
~ 70000 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS
the driver's side airbag has failed for no apparent reason. the cost of repair will be around $900.00 the car...
1
~ 87036 miles
HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
the vehicle both accelerated and decelerated without input placing me in a very unsafe situation. when i stopped the car...
1
~ 103246 miles
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > HYDRAULIC > POWER ASSIST
on april 13 2005 at approximately 4 pm i was backing my v40 volvo 2004 wagon out of a parking...
1
LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS > WHEELS
2000 volvo v40 front wheels become loose. (1) car was taken to dealership for recall on braking system. (2) departing...
1
~ 65000 miles
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS
seat belts are defective. when pulling on the seat belts they will not reach the buckle. thus making it impossible...
1
~ 18000 miles
STRUCTURE
dt: consumer states when there is a sun glare on the dashboard there isn't enough illumination. the consumer was unable...
1
WHEEL BEARING > FRONT > SUSPENSION
the wheel bearing snapped causing the tire to wobble. dealer notified. *nlm...
1
HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > BODY > STRUCTURE
the rear hatch did not close. *nlm...
1
WHEEL CYLINDERS > DRUM > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
brakes failed on may 17. dealer could not find problem. brakes failed on may 28. dealer replaced master cylinder and
1
CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN
while driving 5 mph on a snowy hill traction control failed. vehicle was unmoveable. vehicle towed to dealer sensor was
1
BRAKE LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING
brake light bulbs fall out of light harness. repeated problem - dealer only replaces bulbs but bulbs still fall out
1
RACK AND PINION > STEERING
while driving home from work and trying to pull into the community development went to apply brakes and they depressed...
1
AIR BAGS
in a minimal accident with no passenger in the passenger seat air bags deployed causing excessive and needless damage to
1
WHEELS
the driver side wheel was loose which caused a noise.*jb...
1
SEATS
while driving the driver's seat back moves backward sometimes causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. the console...
1
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT
while driving the driver's seat back moves backward sometimes causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. the console...
1
HORN > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
horn work some of the time....
1
HUB > WHEELS
while driving the driver's seat back moves backward sometimes causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. the console...
1

FAQ

What year Volvo V40 is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 5 years, Volvo V40 models of 2003, 2004, 2002 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Volvo V40?

Volvo V40 models of 2000 and 2001 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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Volvo V40 specs
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Performance

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Exterior

Wheels
Wheel Interchange
Bulbs
Dimensions

Interior

Steering wheel
Speakers size

Maintenance

Towing Capacity
Wipers size
Fuses
Gas tank size
Safety ratings
Complaints
Manuals
Mpg

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