2001 Volvo S40 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 84 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,297miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Volvo S40, 5% of the 84 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,297 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2001 Volvo S40. At about 90,000 miles the gear shift button broke. Now you can change the gears with out pressing the brake pedal. I have small children so I have to keep my car locked at all times when I'm not in it. If they were to be in it they could pull it out of park with no problem and the car would start to roll. I am very concerned about the problem because I'm sure I'm not the only one who has had this problem and it is a safety issue. The shifter on the internet is over $250.00 to fix it then you have to pay to have it put in.”
NHTSA complaint #10281475, filed 2009-08, 90,000 miles“When accelerating vehicle would down shift gears. The dealership will be notified. The dealer have not been able to duplicate the problem. The transmission jerking occurred, the engine light would come on. There would be a burning oil smell, the gear shifter would not release and would stick intermittently, the steering wheel squeaked and was unable to be duplicated, the windshield wipers would squeak, and the speaker was erratic. Trhe battery was replaced, the tail lights were out, the windshield was replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10091894, filed 2004-10, 44,594 miles“Vehicle hesitates upon accerleration , almost to the point it feels as though it is going to stall. I had the vehicle to my local Volvo dealer back in novemeber of 2004, but after $700.00 in diagnostic charges no problem was detected.”
NHTSA complaint #10133924, filed 2005-08“This is the second transmission failure in the first seven months of ownership. The dealer reports that it is a transaxle problem, and they have no idea why it is happening (sic) . The first time this occurred my husband was driving 55 MPH when a loud screeching began, and the car began to shudder, supplying power off and on to only one wheel, jerking the car around the road with minimal control, almost causing a major accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #748113, filed 2001-07Related service bulletins
- 10032425Jul 10, 2009Volvo: the 5 speed automatic transmission, aw55-50/51, has a bolt on top that anchors the b4 band, which applies 3rd gear. If that bolt is removed, the band will be disengaged…
- 10016434Jul 7, 2006Transmission control module (tcm) upgrades available to correct complaints/symptoms.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 11% |
| 2009 | 3 | 30% |
| 2007 | 2 | 8% |
| 2006 | 1 | 2% |
| 2005 | 2 | 3% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 6 | 33% |
| 2002 | 2 | 7% |
| 2001 | 4 | 5% |
| 2000 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2001 Volvo S40
27 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Volvo S40
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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