The car has problems starting and takes a few tries before starting up. Have also had a problem where the car was in park with the parking brake engaged and the car was revving on its own. There have also been problems while the car has been slowing down on the freeway, specifically when the brakes are being engaged the car will attempt to move forward as though it is trying to push pass the fact that the brakes are being engaged. As well as the car will accelerate faster than the gas pedal is being pushed e.g when the gas pedal is slightly pushed the car will accelerate quickly as though the gas pedal was being pushed upon firmly.
2000 Volvo S40 brakes problems
52 complaints (43% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 44,191. 6 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 52
- of this car's complaints
- 43%
- typical mileage
- 44,191
- crashes
- 6
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip11
- Foundation components9
- Power assist: vacuum5
- Foundation components: disc4
- Power assist3
- Foundation components: disc: pads3
- Foundation components: master cylinder2
- Power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Volvo S40 brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2000 Volvo S40 brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, water can enter the electrical brake vacuum pump, causing the pump to fail.
- Risk
- This could result in loss of power assist and an increase in needed brake pedal force, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the pump with a new and improved version and move the pump to a new location. Owner notification began on march 15, 2004. Owners should contact volvo at 1‑800‑458‑1552.
Recall number 03V474000 · Recall details
Related investigations
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, 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.
EA02026
Brake power-assist
PE02009
What 2000 Volvo S40 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was stopped at a red light behind several cars. The light turned green and I took my foot off the brake, but did not put my foot on the accelerator. The car engine revved up and lurched forward despite me attempting to brake heavily. The brakes would not fully decompress causing me to rear end the vehicle in front of me. I purchased the car used with 134,100 miles. I noticed about 5 months after purchase that the engine would rev and the RPM's would remain high without pressing on the accelerator and the car will move approximately 10-15 MPH without pressing on the accelerator. When roads are wet or when it has been raining, the car is difficult in braking and the brakes often "freeze" where the brake pedal cannot be depressed. Brakes were replaced, but the issue persists. Also, at times, the car engine continues to rev when pressing on the brakes. Lastly, the engine light came on, it was indicated via a diagnostic test that there was a misfire with one of the spark plug coils. All spark plugs and coils/ignition coils were replaced, engine light persisted. At the time the temp sensor and the thermostat was replaced as the ignition coils and spark plugs did not alleviate the issue. When a following diagnostic test was performed indicated that the coolant temp sensor has low voltage. Sometimes the car engine will turn, but the car will not fully turn on and I need to wait about 10 minutes (or until the fan turns off) before being able to attempt to start the car. Due to the issues with the car, the car cannot get an inspection sticker, and it does not seem safe to drive. Due to massachusetts car laws, we cannot sell the car due to lemon law and the car is worth more than scraping. We also had a broken axel and coil that were replaced after hitting a pothole.
It was close to 9pm. I had exited the freeway to stop in a parking lot to check directions. I had been driving for about an hour, so I got out to walk around and buy a cup of coffee. I came back a few minutes later and drove out of the lot. The on ramp was about 200 yards away and there was a red light at the intersection, so I was only moving at around 20mph. I was the only car in my lane, so about 100 feet away from the intersection I pressed down on my brake pedal, but the for some reason it the car kept rolling. I tried again, but the brakes were no help as I kept rolling. Frantically, I stomped hard, floored the brakes, and my car started to slow down a little, but that time it was too late. I tried to turn to the right to avoid the flow of traffic, but an instant later I had hit an oncoming car. I don't know what went wrong. I am pretty good at maintaining the car and it had been serviced at the volvo dealer fairly recently. It's only garaged about half the time, but I live in southern california so it's never been exposed to an extreme climate or anything. There was a thunderstorm that morning, and the roads were very wet earlier in the day, but the storm broke around noon: 7 or 8 hours before I left home that night. By that time all of the roads had dried.
Brake failure, this issue was on a recalled problem that has not been properly resolved.
3/6/2007. Volvo s40 2000. Contact has a concern with the brakes and the headlights.*mc the headlights and brakes failed.
2000 volvo s40 would not stop when applied pressure to brakes. *ts six months after the accident, the consumer received a recall notice in the mail regarding the brake pump. The consumer is now seeking reimbursement for damages incurred prior to notification of the recall. Recall 03v474000.
2000 volvo s40 would not stop when applied pressure to brakes. *ts the consumer felt that she have plenty of distance between her vehicle and the other vehicle to stop but the vehicle just wouldn't stop. As a result the consumer's vehicle crashed into the other vehicle. Six months after the accident the consumer received a recall notice on the brake pump which described the failure the consumer experienced. The consumer request reimbursement for all expenses incurred.
Bought a new 2000 volvo s40 in april of 2000. The car now has 60,000 miles on it....light driving by most standards. At 18,000 miles rear brakes and rotors were replaced at a cost of more than $400. Front and rear brakes have been replaced another time since then. On 9/21/05, I have now also had to replace the alternator at a cost of $600. This car only has 60,000 miles on it. I have read a lot of other discussions online from other 2000 volvo s40 owners who also complain about the car running through brakes every 15-20,000 miles.
The driver noticed while in cold weather when the vehicle warming up the brake pedal went to the floor. There were times when the vehicle would not when the brake was applied. The consumer drove to the dealer. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the problem. Please fill in additional information.
The recall repair did not resolve the issue. It contiunes to be an intermittent problem and my lead to injury or even a death.
Questions about the 2000 Volvo S40 brakes
Does the 2000 Volvo S40 have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 52 complaints about the brakes of the 2000 Volvo S40, 43% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2000 Volvo S40 brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 44,191 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2000 Volvo S40 brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 03V474000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Volvo S40 have bad brakes?
The Volvo S40 model years with the most brakes complaints are 2000 (52 complaints), 2001 (27 complaints) and 2004 (12 complaints).
Other 2000 Volvo S40 problems
Acceleration 17Suspension 14Electrical 13Lights 13Engine 12Seat belts 7Visibility 5Airbags 3Steering 3Transmission 3Body 2Seats 2Wheels 2Fuel system 1Tires 1
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