Volvo S40 brake failure problems

Filed May 9, 2020 · Electrical · CA

After a long period of rain, water pooled on rear driver and passenger floor. Windows would not function, door locks would not function, turn signals didn't work. Instrument panel flashed warnings of engine problems, brake failure, airbag problems. Often lost entire panel while vehicle was being driven on highway, measurements going dead. This has been going on for months and is getting worse.

Filed Oct 3, 2014 · Brakes · 163,000 miles · VT

For the past two mornings my car has no brakes when I first start my car, once I have been driving for a few minutes it's okay, but first thing the past two mornings I haven't had brakes!

Filed Jun 15, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 62,700 miles · NY

(s40 2.4i) initial car message: "brake failure, pull over safely." I continued to drive home since I was a few blocks away. Message changed to "anti skid service required" then back to brake failure again. Difficulty accelerating after stopping, felt like the parking brake was on but drove ok once accelerated. Attempted to turn off car but message changed to "immobilizer, check manual" and could not turn key to off position. From what I read in the manual, it appeared that the card didn't recognize it was in park. Turned parking brake on and off a few times and was able to turn off car. Brought to local mechanic who replaced brake pad sensor and anti-stop switch. --in and out of auto repair shop 4x over the past month w/the same issues and new symptoms: wipers turned on automatically and don't shut off and new message: engine system service urgent. --mechanic replaced some rusted wires, brought to a volvo dealer who reset computer and did not find any problems. --still having same issues. Cannot put car into drive or turn off car when brake failure or anti-skid message appear but if I wait a few minutes, I can turn the car off and on a couple of times to get to the engine system service urgent message and I can then put it into drive. Sometimes all messages go away and it is fine for a few days but then the car jerks forward as if someone bumped the car and all messages appear again. New message: power steering message flashed briefly .. Although there was no problem w/the steering. Bringing to another volvo dealer.. The saga continues. --I read prior consumer complaints on this site and I also had the sunroof leakage problem in 2013. Entire floor of car was soaked, especially passenger side. Took 3 visits, weeks and $900 to get it fixed. Volvo first cleaned out the clogged line but carpets were wet again so they then replaced the entire line.

Filed Nov 3, 2013 · Brakes · 145,000 miles · MA

I was driving on a main road and my brakes failed. It was determined that a brake line corroded through. It appears that the vehicle has a single master brake cylinder. I asked a volvo dealership about this, and they confirmed to me that the master brake cylinder is a single one. It is my understanding that in the 80's, all vehicles sold in the united states were to have a dual master brake cylinder.

Filed May 16, 2013 · Electrical · 84,000 miles · CA

I was in the intersection ready to make a turn when the car suddenly stalled all the dash display lights went out all gauges stopped working and the windshield wipers would not go off when I tried to restart the car the dash suddenly displayed brake failure pull over safely, and immobilizer check manual and the car would not start it had to be pushed across the intersection and it has been sitting in a parking lot since then waiting to be towed this has happened on 3 different occasions since I bought the vehicle this problem needs to be fixed at company expense each time I have been fortunate enough to be in a parking lot or a public street but on the last incident I would've been on the freeway. I hope some one will call or contact me to rectify this issue I love the volvo brand but going through this make not want to continue on with any other model.

Filed Oct 8, 2012 · Electrical · NC

Driving in rain, brake failure message began flashing on dash, then airbag failure. Slowed to a stop and turned off car, turned back on and drove slowly home. Messages continued to flash. Drove to service center and messages were no longer flashing , mechanic said it would need to be active to find problem. Same scenario many times since and the problem has become worse, driving down highway and messages appear then all gauges on panel fail and go to zero, windows fail, blinkers, brake lights fail, entire instrument panel went dark. Back to mechanic, he drove it same thing happened then stopped before returning to shop so could not diagnose.extremely dangerous as several times driving in rain and in high traffic areas and on freeways with high speeds and then in construction zones bumper to bumper with no brake lights or ability to use turn signals. Has been out for five to thirty minutes at a time then appearing to work again before repeating the same failure problem. Never any warning, it just happens suddenly. To mechanic again, codes read and printed out pages of signal failures, none active at time so unable to determine problem. Check engine light has also appeared and when checked nothing active found at time other than pages of signal failures in system.

Filed Jun 4, 2012 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · RI

While driving on the highway my car began to show signs of an electrical problem. Different warnings were coming up on the control panel, alerting me to brake fluid low, as well as my current mileage disappearing. When I pulled off the highway, shut the car off, and removed the key the windshield wipers continued to run. The display messages including "brake failure, stop car safely" and "immobilizer see manual." the brakes are fine, because they worked when stopping the car and work while this message is displayed. I believe this was an electrical problem, as I was driving the car earlier in the day and no issues were arising. When I tried to restart the car it would be start saying to see the "immobilizer see manual" and would not recognize the problem. The car is now stuck in a parking lot until it can be towed to a dealer. I would appreciate this matter being investigated and recalled if possible, as this is not the first time the car has not recognized the key.

Filed Dec 10, 2011 · Brakes · 23,000 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

12/9/2011 while on an incline driving at approximately 25 MPH brakes failed, even after pressing pedal all the way to the floor, car failed to stop causing collision with vehicle in front despite more than necessary braking distance maintained between two vehicles and under clear, sunny conditions. Note: dealer had completed 10-point inspection during oil change 14 days before occurrence. 8/2011 car flooded with water internally and on floor/carpet. Second occurrence. Sunroof drain pipes replaced and car seats, carpets, foam padding removed and dried. Owner required to pay 50% of cost of labor and parts, even though was to have been repaired in 2/2011.2/2011 first incident of car flood with water internally and on floor/carpet. Sunroof replaced and car seats, carpets, foam padding removed and dried. Sunroof replaced by volvo, owner incurred labor costs. Warranty expired 2 months and 1 week before taken in. Car had undergone 22500 mile check with nothing noticed by volvo while under warranty! Regular maintenance was done at dealers at recommended schedule and dealer performed state-required safety and emission inspections.

Filed Aug 9, 2011 · Electrical · 115,000 miles · NC

I own a 2005 volvo s40 t5 which I have enjoyed thus far. However every once in a while when you insert the key, which is an electronic key the message display will display "key error try again." when this happens the car will not start at all, nothing inside the car including the radio will work either. After 20 to 30 times trying to start the car the key will eventually start the car. There are 2 keys to my car and this happens with both keys, so I know it isn't the key. I have researched this online and found it to be a common problem. This happens sporadically for example it will happen several times over a week or so and then not happen for several months. It recently started about a week ago and has happened everyday since. It is embarrassing to be in such a nice car and it not start. Sometimes when this happens, in addition to the "key error try again" message the message display will also display messages including "brake failure, stop car safely" and "immobilizer see manual." the brakes are fine, because they work on the way home and work while this message is displayed. The computer in the car was reset and that seemed to help temporarily, but I believe it is an electrical problem since the car does not recognize the key. I would appreciate this matter being investigated and recalled if possible.

Filed Jan 26, 2011 · Brakes · 63,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2007 volvo s40. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH the brakes failed causing her to crash into the rear of a vehicle. The driver sustained minor injuries, whiplash and was not transported to the hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was inspected by an insurance adjuster who confirmed that it was destroyed. The failure and current mileages were approximately 63,000.