2000 Volvo V40 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems, including rapid brake pad wear and a soft, stiff, or unresponsive pedal, and some complaints link brake assist failures to water or moisture in the vacuum pump. Rear coil spring breakage, engine stalls or power loss while driving, and unexpected engine speed changes appear in smaller groups. Where mileage is stated, brake complaints are mostly reported at lower mileage, while engine and speed-control complaints tend to appear at about 80,000 to 110,000 miles.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Brake pedal feel and power assist failures

   • 20 complaints (40%)
   • median 29,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2011

   Owners describe the brake pedal feeling soft, traveling further down than normal, or stiff, with longer stopping distances. Some say the brake power assist did not respond, and some report the brakes felt unreliable after the car sat or when it was cold. According to complaints, the dealer linked some cases to a failing vacuum pump, and a crash was reported after the brakes failed at about 55 mph, with the dealer finding water could enter the electric brake vacuum pump. Where mileage is given, these complaints mention about 15,000 to 29,000 miles, and some describe the pedal feeling soft or stiff after the car sits or when it is cold.

   Recall 03V474000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 03V474000 for the brake vacuum pump has been completed, and have the vacuum pump and brake assist checked. On a test drive, check that the pedal feels firm and stops the car normally on the first press after the car has been parked for a while.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #725895, filed 2000-07

   “Brake system in car works poorly when car is cold or left for a few hours. Significantly more brake pressure is required to stop the car when car is cold. Problem has been fixed three times but has returned again. Evidently this is related to failure of a vacuum pump used to provide additional brake vacuum for the master cylinder when the engine is cold.”

   NHTSA complaint #10030825, filed 2003-08
2. 2
   Brakes

   Rapid brake pad wear

   • 12 complaints (24%)
   • median 97,104 mi at 10.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2010

   Owners describe brake pads wearing out much faster than expected, in some cases down to the metal and into the rotor, along with uneven pad wear. Some complaints say the dealer described the wear as normal, while owners felt it was unacceptable or not covered under warranty. Some owners paid for replacement themselves, and the manufacturer was reported to have offered a partial discount while denying liability. Where mileage is given, pads were reported worn from about 12,000 to 35,000 miles, and a later replacement is described at about 75,000 miles.

   What to check: Ask for the brake pad and rotor replacement history, including the mileage at each replacement. During a pre-purchase inspection, check pad thickness and look for uneven wear or pads worn close to the metal.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We purchased our 2000 V40 from the original owner at 81k. We needed both rear springs replaced right away. This was the second time they were replaced. Dealer said a common flaw with the V40. We are also noticing a shaking in the front end when accelerating between 50-60mph. Not sure what this is. Also noticing that there is a shake in the brake pedal and told need new brake pads and rotors. They were just replaced before we got the car at 75k and now car has 100k which is a all highway miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10221533, filed 2008-03

   “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 .”

   NHTSA complaint #750784, filed 2001-08
3. 3
   Suspension

   Rear coil springs breaking or cracking

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 63,801 mi at 5.2 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2010

   Owners describe rear coil springs breaking or cracking, often after a thump or clunk from the rear, and in some cases the springs failed again after replacement. According to complaints, the dealer called it a common flaw of this model, and an owner's letter to the manufacturer went unanswered. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 14,000 to about 100,000 miles, and some describe the springs failing a second time.

   What to check: Ask whether the rear coil springs have been inspected or replaced, and listen for a clunk over bumps on a test drive. Ask for the rear suspension repair history, especially any second spring replacement.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Upon returning to the dealership for the third time for a complaint about a suspicious sounding thump or clunk in the passenger-side rear of our 2000 Volvo V40, it was discovered that both coil springs had broken. The vehicle at the time of repair has 50,080 miles on it; when the noise was first reported to the dealer on 12/09/04 the car had 37,448 miles. Both springs broke identically at the first coil where they sit in the base plate of the strut assembly. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10162366, filed 2006-07, 37,448 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls or loses power while driving

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 106,555 mi at 8.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2000–2008

   Owners describe the engine stopping or losing power while driving, including on a highway and in a busy intersection. A complaint describes the oil warning not coming on before the engine stopped on a highway, with the steering locking up. According to complaints, parts such as a boost pressure sensor were replaced after a power loss, and the problem returned days later. Where mileage is given, these reports are at about 110,000 miles, and episodes are described at highway speed or in a busy intersection.

   What to check: Ask whether any oil leak, oil pressure, or sensor repairs were made, and whether the service records show repeat visits for power loss. On a test drive, check that the engine responds normally to the accelerator and that the warning lights come on and go off at start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On july 19,2008, our 2000 Volvo V40 lost power while driving 65 MPH on us 29 in virginia. The car was still running, but it did not respond to the accelerator. We were able to safely pull off the road, and have car towed to our mechanic. We were told the problem was a sensor failure. According to our service records, the boost pressure sensor and camshaft reset valve was replaced. Three days later, on july 26, 2008, the same thing happened - this time in the middle of a busy intersection. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10236560, filed 2008-07, 109,865 miles

   “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.).”

   NHTSA complaint #722662, filed 2000-05
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration or unexpected engine speed changes

   • 6 complaints (12%)
   • median 100,498 mi at 9.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2011

   Owners describe engine speed rising unexpectedly at idle, when braking, or when the car is put into park. Some describe a rhythmic speed surge at steady highway speed with the air conditioning on, and others report the car accelerating or slowing without driver input. An owner describes raising a possible electronic throttle module correction with the manufacturer, which appeared to be a problem with this make and model. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 83,000 to about 103,000 miles, and some describe the speed change at idle, when braking, or at steady speed with the air conditioning on.

   What to check: Ask whether the electronic throttle module has been checked and whether any throttle-related fault codes are recorded in the service history. On a test drive, check that engine speed returns to normal at idle, when braking, and at steady speed with the air conditioning on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2000 Volvo V40 - very well maintained, 2nd owner, approximately 83,000 miles. I started noticing that the car would surge on the highway with the A/C on and when I had steady pressure on the accelerator (I.e. Icruising at a steady speed). The surge in RPM's would be rhythmic, very subtle (100-200 rpms) and continue indefinitely until I turn the A/C off - at which time they would cease. They would sometimes resume when I turned the A/C compressor back on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10409415, filed 2011-06, 83,000 miles

   “Vehicle idle increase on braking to about 1500 rpms. When put in park, idle increased to 4500 rpms. I tried taping the gas to see if rpms would go down. Instead rpms increased even higher to over 5500 rpms. Turned the car off. Tried to restart car and rpms immediately went high again. Turned the car off a second time. Could not restart the car. A similar incident happened 36 hours later after the car had been at the repair ship. That incident happened after driving around a parking lot looking for a space. Rpm's increased. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10320274, filed 2010-03, 97,750 miles

Buying note. For a 2000 V40, ask for complete brake and suspension service records and confirm whether the brake vacuum pump recall has been completed. During a test drive, check the brake pedal feel after the car has been parked, the rear suspension for clunks, and idle and engine speed behavior.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 37 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.