2001 Volvo S40: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 84 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (28% of complaints); the 2002 and 2003 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2003
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 84 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Me an my husband was driving the car an it started to run hot so we went an got the part to go on the car an when when we got back to my father in law house the car cut off an started to smoke real bad then went into flames an when we first got the car we got everything fix on it an then when you plug the montior to the the car it said we had ten codes up there an they was the same codes that was on the car an we know we had got everything fix on the car an we was still having problems with the car no we out of a car cause it went into flames.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2020
“I bought a 2001 volvo s40 from tom blevins owner of popples garage. The odometer quit working as soon as I bought it. The key would get stuck in the ignition and would have to be left in the ignition. The drivers side window got stuck in the down position because of a faulty controller. The hood hydraulic arm that holds the hood up when it's raised does not work and has to be propped up with a wood block. Headlights and turn signals do not work. There are more problems to discuss but I am out of space.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2018
“Car caught fire without warning as I was driving it. Car had 93,000 and had passed va inspection in august. I pulled over and called 911. By the time the fire department arrived 3 minutes later, entire engine was engulfed in large flames. The temperature gauge never indicated the engine was running hot. Usaa removed the vehicle, and I don't know whether they will inspect it for cause, but I suspect an electrical malfunction.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“The vehicle is unable to pass inspection. The following parts were change air cleaner assembly, air cleaner sensor, fuel system filter, fuel system vent hose, fuel system ground strap, fuel system cover, fuel system gasket and fuel system pump sender assembly. My son had 3 tickets for no inspection. I research the vehicle and it stated that people pay volvo $150.00 to pass the inspection. The mechanic reported that he did work on another volvo s40 2000 and when a complaint was placed the volvo fix the problem. I bought another vehicle because I cannot effort to keep getting tickets and paying to replace everything on my vehicle.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo s40. The contact stated that the heater fan stopped operating and the defroster function was affected. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 01v169000 (equipment). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.”Owner report · Equipment · Dec 2014
“While driving brake warning light went on.brake pedal got soft & slowly went to floor. When vehicle was checked it was discovered that the brake lines to rear brakes had rusted through and were leaking fluid. Master cylinder was almost empty. The brake lines on this car are supposed to be made of a rust resistant nickel/copper material but they rusted through. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo s40. The contact was traveling 40 mph and crashed head-on into another vehicle. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained head and neck injuries. The police were notified. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the contact was awaiting diagnosis. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2013
“My car vibrates whenever I reach 60 mph and continues to vibrates if I try to accelerate but stops when I decelerate. I was told it could be a balance problem but why would the whole car vibrate? I was also told it may be worn or old motor mounts, which I believe that more than it being a balance problem. I just need to know for certain so I know what to have replaced and how much I may have to spend. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo s40. The contact was driving 35 mph when the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The engine rpms increased excessively as the vehicle stalled a second time. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 107,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2012
“I purchased a volvo for their reputation on safety. So why does our volvo have an acceleration problem? I could be at a stop light and the car revs up to 2000 rpm's and starts to go with my foot on the brake with me almost hitting the car in front of me then when we first start up the car the brakes don't work? The car still rolls. What's going on with volvo their making me think their just as bad as toyota! *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN AND WAGON PASSENGER VEHICLES. A DIODE IN THE ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM MAY HAVE A REDUCED SERVICE LIFE.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact S40 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Volvo S40 reliable?
NHTSA has 84 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Volvo S40. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Volvo S40 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Volvo S40 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:appliance:air conditioner. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.