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2001 Volvo V40 problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Volvo V40 is brakes. It has 2.8 times the complaints of a typical V40 model year.

Typical year2.8x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
11
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
180
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 2001 Volvo V40 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    4
  • Engine
    3
  • Transmission
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Airbags
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    4
  • Engine
    3
  • Transmission
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Airbags
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 2

Equipment: other: labelsReported August 1, 2003 · 220,407 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
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.

Recall number 03V284000 · Recall details

Equipment: appliance: air conditionerReported May 21, 2001 · 19,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: sedan and wagon passenger vehicles. A diode in the electronic climate control system may have a reduced service life.
Risk
If the diode fails, the heater fan stops operating and the defroster function is affected.
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.

Recall number 01V169000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2001 Volvo V40

Defect investigations

Volvo s40/v40 my 2000-2001Opened September 10, 2002, closed November 21, 2003

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

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Volvo V40 180

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 180 bulletins for the 2001 Volvo V40

What 2001 Volvo V40 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 20, 2011 · Brakes · 154,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 volvo v40. The contact stated while driving he had to apply extreme pressure to the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised him that the failure was caused by the power assist vacuum. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Aug 30, 2007 · Engine · 56,000 miles · CA

2005 (sep/nov/dec): engine check light on 3 times. Dealer repaired all 3 times and following months, which is 2006, having sudden shifting/accelarating at low speed. Dealer fixed 2 times and 1 time couldnot find the issue. Aug. 18, 2007: continued having same problems plus car was jerking on fwy speed. Two days later, I couldn't start the car. Dealer replace neg. Battery cable and #4 ignition coil. Aug.21, 2007: called to inform volvo north america and they suggested that I should talk to dealer service manager. Aug. 27, 2007: the car is having same issue: sudden shifting @ low speed & jerking on fwy speed. This is very dangerous to drive and I don't know when the car is going to stall middle of fwy. I told the dealer that the car symptons are very much like etm problem (recall) on other models. Aug. 29,2007: dealer replaced another #3 ignition coil and spark plug. I don't know how many times I will have to go back to the dealer for repeat repair. The dealer didn't bother to check etm unit. So far, I am lucky that I haven't gotten accident. (same dealer service my car since 2001)

Filed Jun 13, 2007 · Engine · 25,000 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 volvo v40. The current mileage was 105000. The check engine warning indicator light turns on. The vehicle has been taken to both volvo repair shops and local mechanics numerous times for this failure. They are able to turn the light off; however, it usually comes back on within three weeks. The dealer is unable to diagnose the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000. The engine size is unknown. The VIN was provided but appears to be invalid.

Filed Aug 11, 2005 · Engine · 41,901 miles · FL

Over the weekend my check engine came on in my v40 wagon. When idle it acted as if it was going to stall. A few times it did, when idle at a stop. It did restart most of the time right away, but a few times it took a couple of tries and waiting. I made an appointment to bring it in for service on 6/28. On 6/27 I was taking my 7 month old baby to day care when it stalled in the middle of driving. Luckily there was no one behind me and I was able to pull to the side of the road. The car went completely dead while driving approximately 45 MPH. I had a bit of trouble restarting it - but it eventually restarted. I was very nervous the rest of the way to the day care, but I made it without it stalling. I was able to leave the day care and decided to get to work and have it towed to the dealership. It stalled again. After many tries and 30 minutes later it started and I made it to work. I had it towed to volvo. They found a power supply interruption code -ecm30 and replaced the mass airflow sensor. Picked up the car later that day and on my way home from work the check engine came on again. As I pulled into my driveway it started stalling again. Took it back to volvo on 6/28. They worked on it for 5 hours while I waited. They replaced the front oxygen sensor, still had problems, replaced the rear oxygen sensor, the light still came back on. Replaced both sensors again and loaded software. That seemed to do the trick. I haven't had that same problem again so far. But I am noticing that my v40 sometimes slows (rpms rev up to around 4,000) when accelerating. This was very dangerous because when I needed to accelerate into traffic, vehicle slowed down. When I read in the paper about other volvo models have similar occurrences, I wanted to make sure someone new of the same type of problem happening in the 2001 v40 wagon. Every repair was under warranty and did not cost me anything thank goodness. My warranty is up this week -sure hope this doesn't happen again.

Filed Jul 11, 2003 · Brakes · 25,000 miles · FL

No brakes upon initial start and shortly therafter, vehicle idled for approximately 6 hours. Dealer reset check valve and said they do not have to replace assembly, computer said okay.

Filed Jul 11, 2003 · Acceleration, Transmission · FL

Transmission slips, RPM/speed increases at approx 30 MPH intermittently and after a turn for approx 1-2 seconds, causing an unsafe, and alarming experience.

Filed Jun 20, 2003 · Brakes · 17,002 miles · MD

Volvo 2001 v-40 sation wagon: rear brake pads completely gone by 17000 miles, leading to rotor damage and unsafe braking. Inspection at 15200 miles showed no brake related abnormalities. Volvo customer relations said fast wearing out of brakes is common in this model.

Filed Nov 10, 2002 · Brakes · KY

While backing vehicle out of garage in morning the brakes sometimes become very difficult to push (hence, difficult to stop the vehicle). Prior to very recently, the problem only occurred while backing out of our garage down the driveway (1-2% grade, only). Recently, the problem is beginning to occur while traveling forward, again it is only when the vehicle has been sitting for hours and just started. I have yet to call volvo. The problem has been so intermittent up to this point I know what will happen: we will be without a car for a week while volvo drives it and finally reports to us that there is no problem. Have you folks heard anything on this peculiar problem???? Dt

Filed Jan 16, 2002 · Transmission · MA

While driving 5 MPH on a snowy hill traction control failed. Vehicle was unmoveable. Vehicle towed to dealer, sensor was replaced. Please add further information.

Filed Jan 16, 2002 · Visibility · MA

While driving in a snowstorm windshield wipers failed.

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Questions about the 2001 Volvo V40

Is the 2001 Volvo V40 reliable?

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2001 Volvo V40, 2.8 times a typical V40 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Volvo V40?

Brakes, with 4 complaints. Next is engine (3).

How many recalls does the 2001 Volvo V40 have?

2 recalls, covering equipment.

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