Here is how the problem first starts to occur. It starts out as an intermittent thing and gradually progresses to every time. Car has been off for a period of time. The car is started, placed in reverse to back out of the driveway, the brake pedal is depressed to stop the car and place into drive. During the first braking attempt the brake pedal is depressed to the floor to get the car to stop (the power braking seems to fail). The brakes operate normally at the second braking attempt. This problem progresses over time where braking becomes sluggish at all braking attempts. What has prompted me to issue this complaint is my wife almost rear ended the car in front of her in a quick stop situation. Volvo has replaced components centered around the brake vacuum system. These items have included the vacuum pump (twice), hoses, and a fuse. The car has been serviced for this issue 5 times in a little over two years since I made my purchase. During the last attempt to fix the car it was in for service for 9 days straight (11/11/01-11/20/01). At the time of this writing (4/11/02) it is back in the shop for this issue.
2000 Volvo V40 brakes complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 23 of 23, newest first, as owners wrote them.
On several occasions when brakes were applied pedal became soft,causing extended stopping distance. Vehicle has been at the dealer on four occasions, and problem still occurs. Feel free to provide any further information.
Two headlamps at different times blew out prematurely. Replace rear brake pads bothe sides. It has been admitted that the size of the rear brakes are too small.
Brake pads prematurely worn almost to the rotors only 20,000 miles, 90% highway driving. Dealer told us that was abnormal wear and the car was manufactured with softer pads to prevent squealing and will replace at my cost with harder break pads that should last longer. Dealer said this has been a problem with many of the v40's " one lady had to replace them at 11,000 miles".
Brakes had or have a problem, brakes freeze and it is like putting you foot on a board with no give.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Brake pedal very stiff after car has been sitting, causing extended braking distances. Volvo tsb # 52-01 adresses this symptom.
Rear brake pads are worn down to the metal and the metal is cutting into the rotor. Dealer said it is normal for brakes to be replaced between 10,000 to 15,000 miles. I find this to unacceptable.
At 15k miles front brake pads had to be replaced. Dealer advised that is normal. Rear brakes should last 30k miles. Not covered under warranty.
At 12,000 miles brake pads are prematurely wearing out. Cause unkown. Dealer cannot identify the cause. Please give any further details.
I have had a problem with my brakes since I purchased the car. When I use the car after it has been sitting for a while, it feels like the brakes aren't working. You have to depress the pedal further and harder than normal for the car to stop. After a few brake applications, the brakes appear to work normally.
While driving home from work and trying to pull into the community development, went to apply brakes, and they depressed about 1 inch. Was not able to stop. Had to take foot off brakes, then slammed on them, and vehicle stopped. Also, steering wheel became very stiff, and engine died for a brief moment, and then functioned normally.
Brakes not depressing, happened on our car and on the loaner we have from volvo twice in the last week. The engine: a black puff of smoke came out the back, the oil light flashed on and the engine locked before I could pull over to the shoulder. There was not electrical warning and no physical warning (leaking oil etc.).
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