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Vehicle speed controlPart report

2000 Volvo S40 Vehicle speed control Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
14%of 122 total for the year
Median mileage
91,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2000 Volvo S40, 14% of the 122 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was pulling into my parking garage and my 2000 Volvo S40 began to accelerate on its own. It revved up to 3000 rpms and I had to press hard on the brake for it to stop. I pulled over in the garage and placed the car in park. The car continued to rev. I stepped on the gas a couple of times and after about 4 minutes it returned to its normal operating RPM after which I was able to park the car.”

NHTSA complaint #10380874, filed 2011-02, 95,000 miles

“Unintended acceleration on my 2000 Volvo S40. Accelerating in traffic without pressing pedal. Must press brake hard to stop. Continues to rev high. This has happened twice in the last month. After the first time, my service shop replaced the idle air control valve but it occurred again about a week and a half after that. Service technician has indicated he cannot potentially diagnose unless it is occurring when he can drive and look at it. It is a serious risk for crash or injury.”

NHTSA complaint #10288666, filed 2009-10, 130,000 miles

“The key has been sticking in my ignition when I park. This time when I could not get the key out, I restarted the car in park, of course with my foot on the brake. The car jumped into reverse and flew backwards out of my garage at a high rate of speed. It crossed the road and ended up knocking down a garage and totaling the car. The brakes were on as evidenced by the tire tread and skid marks. It was a bizarre occurrence and very frighteningly.”

NHTSA complaint #10168776, filed 2006-09, 44,000 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11118565, filed 2018-08, 148,800 miles

“Unintended acceleration occurred with car in drive. Car began to accelerate slowly increasing speed with foot off accelerator. Pulled up on accelerator with no results. Put car into neutral and RPM increased to 6000 RPM then back to 750 idle speed. Back into drive and engine accelerated again. Engine shut off via key then it wouldn't start again. Cranked but would not turn over. Dealer replaced ect because of failure of part.”

NHTSA complaint #10313282, filed 2010-02, 88,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Vehicle speed control: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2011120%
2008319%
200728%
200623%
200511%
200448%
2003211%
200214%
2001911%
20001714%

Other parts of the 2000 Volvo S40

Brakes
52 complaints
Suspension
14 complaints
Electrical system
13 complaints
Exterior lighting
13 complaints
Engine cooling
10 complaints
Seat belts
7 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
Other or unknown
4 complaints
Air bags
3 complaints
Equipment
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2000 Volvo S40

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology