2001 Volvo V40 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes, Hydraulic (2) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (2) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volvo V40 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (180)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-07 · 37809.1.1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a tj text only - the purpose of this tj is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. this tj will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval. current items under prior approval are listed in the "service" sec
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-06 · 19245 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal. vehicle type and platform identification.
Exterior Lighting 2025-04-10 · 8501 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: remote connection, bomgar application. before joining a remote session: •connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in vida is between 12.5v and 14.9v. •connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a voe
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-21 · S10303 · Service Campaign
volvo cars usa llc and volvo car canada ltd on behalf of the volvo car corporation has decided to launch service action s10303 on certain model year 2025 ex90 vehicles. volvo car investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob. as a result, there is a possibil
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-13 · S10303 · Service Campaign
volvo cars usa llc and volvo car canada ltd on behalf of the volvo car corporation has decided to launch service action s10303 on certain model year 2025 ex90 vehicles. volvo car investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob. as a result, there is a possibil
Unknown Or Other 2025-01-16 · 37175 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: vehicle/connectivity report checklist. to provide timely and high-quality feedback to the appropriate department or factory
Showing the 6 most recent of 180 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2011-06-20 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 154,000 mi“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…”
2007-08-30 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 56,000 mi“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…”
2007-06-13 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine · 25,000 mi“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 di…”
2005-08-11 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine · 41,901 mi“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…”
2003-07-11 · Vehicle Speed Control“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. *ak …”
2003-07-11 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum · 25,000 mi“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. *ak …”
2003-06-20 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 17,002 mi“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. *nlm…”
2002-11-10 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist“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 t…”
2002-01-16 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer“while driving in a snowstorm windshield wipers failed.*ak…”
2002-01-16 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)“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.*ak…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.