CD Article: Volvo S40/V40, 2000-2004

[CD_Editor]

Used Vehicle Review:


The first compact, front-wheel drive Volvo cars sold in North America, the S40 sedan and V40 wagon models scored well in safety and fuel economy but "don't seem to have held up very well reliability-wise," says Contributing Editor Chris Chase.
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[Bullet Blue]

"the second-gen cars came to be known as the S40 (sedan) and S50 (wagon)"

May want to fix that spelling error Chris.

A friend of my dad picked up an 04 S40 last year and so far 0 problems. Hopefully it won't fall into the poor reliability category.

[stickshift]

Ooops, thanks for that, BB.

[turbodiesel]

My family drove this vehicle for years and it does not incur any big issues... except last winter we need to change the fuel injector and other stuff costing two grand. It was too dirty and hasn't change since the day we purchased the vehicle and fuel ain't go smooth... now it's much better.

One more remark: auto (as of no +/- function, strictly PRND43L) plus turbo sometimes does not make a good combination. How many of y'all encounter a situation when the engine suddenly rev to higher rpm and you feel the tranny is at N?

..not offering a 5MT for V40 in Canada was definitely a mistake.

[xonox]

Thanks for the article.  I never managed to find proper info on the web concerning common problems.

I have a 2001 S40 and i'll never own a Volvo again.  Took the dealer 3-4 visits to repair the fuel pressure regulator.  They charged me for a new battery the first visit and kept claiming to fix the issue.  Had all sorts of problems with the fan.  It still is noisy today after they changed the motor once (2 years ago) and the climate control module.  The car has rust all over the place, the hood is even perforated just above the passender-side headlight.  They changed the ECU, the catalyser, the antenna motor, several light bulbs and many other things i am trying to forget.  Side lights on the front bumper do not work because of corrosion.  Car keeps on burning its light bulbs.  I need to adjust the hood latch alarm system micro switch after every dealer visit...  I complained at Volvo Canada because the car seemed loaded with problems.  I've been told to go to the dealer and get an estimate and try to convince the service director to help me out.  If this fails they suggested i call them back and there is a slight chance they'll help me out.

Volvos were my dream cars until i owned one.  Now i have to convince me to prefer something else.  The car itself would be my favorite ever if it wasn't for all the technical problems.  The comfort is very good, the car has the right amount of power and we like everything about it except the technical problems.

My next car will be very boring and very reliable.

[turbodiesel]

Thanks for the article.  I never managed to find proper info on the web concerning common problems.

I have a 2001 S40 and i'll never own a Volvo again.  Took the dealer 3-4 visits to repair the fuel pressure regulator.  They charged me for a new battery the first visit and kept claiming to fix the issue.  Had all sorts of problems with the fan.  It still is noisy today after they changed the motor once (2 years ago) and the climate control module.  The car has rust all over the place, the hood is even perforated just above the passender-side headlight.  They changed the ECU, the catalyser, the antenna motor, several light bulbs and many other things i am trying to forget.  Side lights on the front bumper do not work because of corrosion.  Car keeps on burning its light bulbs.  I need to adjust the hood latch alarm system micro switch after every dealer visit...  I complained at Volvo Canada because the car seemed loaded with problems.  I've been told to go to the dealer and get an estimate and try to convince the service director to help me out.  If this fails they suggested i call them back and there is a slight chance they'll help me out.

Volvos were my dream cars until i owned one.  Now i have to convince me to prefer something else.  The car itself would be my favorite ever if it wasn't for all the technical problems.  The comfort is very good, the car has the right amount of power and we like everything about it except the technical problems.

My next car will be very boring and very reliable.

Man... you got really rigged by your garage! Everything is changed/replaced but in an unreasonable way!

[ktm525]

S/V40 IMO were not real Volvos. Built too light. Look at the hatch hinges on the V. That is not how a Volvo is built.

[Beetlejuice]

S/V40 IMO were not real Volvos. Built too light. Look at the hatch hinges on the V. That is not how a Volvo is built.

You're right!!  It's a Mitsubishi.

[xonox]

Thanks for the article.  I never managed to find proper info on the web concerning common problems.

I have a 2001 S40 and i'll never own a Volvo again.  Took the dealer 3-4 visits to repair the fuel pressure regulator.  They charged me for a new battery the first visit and kept claiming to fix the issue.  Had all sorts of problems with the fan.  It still is noisy today after they changed the motor once (2 years ago) and the climate control module.  The car has rust all over the place, the hood is even perforated just above the passender-side headlight.  They changed the ECU, the catalyser, the antenna motor, several light bulbs and many other things i am trying to forget.  Side lights on the front bumper do not work because of corrosion.  Car keeps on burning its light bulbs.  I need to adjust the hood latch alarm system micro switch after every dealer visit...  I complained at Volvo Canada because the car seemed loaded with problems.  I've been told to go to the dealer and get an estimate and try to convince the service director to help me out.  If this fails they suggested i call them back and there is a slight chance they'll help me out.

Volvos were my dream cars until i owned one.  Now i have to convince me to prefer something else.  The car itself would be my favorite ever if it wasn't for all the technical problems.  The comfort is very good, the car has the right amount of power and we like everything about it except the technical problems.

My next car will be very boring and very reliable.

Man... you got really rigged by your garage! Everything is changed/replaced but in an unreasonable way!

And it was all under warranty.  So i didn't pay for most of the repairs.  Mind you, i bought the car used but Volvo certified.  I still can't believe it took 4 visits for them to find out the fule pressure regulator was defective as it's a common problem.  Volvo of Canada doesn't seem too interested in helping me out.  It's mind blowing to me.  Their mechanics don't seem to know much about cars.  It once spent 4 days at the dealer for a blown fuse.  I didn't even check anything and assumed the problem wasn't a fuse and brought it to the dealer.  Yes i panicked and now i learned a lot about little things like that.  However i don't feel like taking apart the interior to replace the bulbs that keep on burning.  The shift light burned for the second time in 3 years now.  It'll stay that way.

Of all the stuff i bought in my life, i never had such crappy service.  On a more positive note, the seats are great, the interior ergonomy is my favorite of all the cars i've seen and i still love the look of the car.

[turbodiesel]

Thanks for the article.  I never managed to find proper info on the web concerning common problems.

I have a 2001 S40 and i'll never own a Volvo again.  Took the dealer 3-4 visits to repair the fuel pressure regulator.  They charged me for a new battery the first visit and kept claiming to fix the issue.  Had all sorts of problems with the fan.  It still is noisy today after they changed the motor once (2 years ago) and the climate control module.  The car has rust all over the place, the hood is even perforated just above the passender-side headlight.  They changed the ECU, the catalyser, the antenna motor, several light bulbs and many other things i am trying to forget.  Side lights on the front bumper do not work because of corrosion.  Car keeps on burning its light bulbs.  I need to adjust the hood latch alarm system micro switch after every dealer visit...  I complained at Volvo Canada because the car seemed loaded with problems.  I've been told to go to the dealer and get an estimate and try to convince the service director to help me out.  If this fails they suggested i call them back and there is a slight chance they'll help me out.

Volvos were my dream cars until i owned one.  Now i have to convince me to prefer something else.  The car itself would be my favorite ever if it wasn't for all the technical problems.  The comfort is very good, the car has the right amount of power and we like everything about it except the technical problems.

My next car will be very boring and very reliable.

Man... you got really rigged by your garage! Everything is changed/replaced but in an unreasonable way!

And it was all under warranty.  So i didn't pay for most of the repairs.  Mind you, i bought the car used but Volvo certified.  I still can't believe it took 4 visits for them to find out the fule pressure regulator was defective as it's a common problem.  Volvo of Canada doesn't seem too interested in helping me out.  It's mind blowing to me.  Their mechanics don't seem to know much about cars.  It once spent 4 days at the dealer for a blown fuse.  I didn't even check anything and assumed the problem wasn't a fuse and brought it to the dealer.  Yes i panicked and now i learned a lot about little things like that.  However i don't feel like taking apart the interior to replace the bulbs that keep on burning.  The shift light burned for the second time in 3 years now.  It'll stay that way.

Of all the stuff i bought in my life, i never had such crappy service.  On a more positive note, the seats are great, the interior ergonomy is my favorite of all the cars i've seen and i still love the look of the car.

Any chance of seeking legal advice, if you like to?

Trust me, pal, I got my vehicle serviced both in authorized Volvo dealer AND private garage, and I review the bills... nothing crazy.

Speaking of interior bulbs I would NEVER obtain one from Volvo dealer. I would get it from other shops. Even the headlight bulbs: I dare say, I spent $100 (include GST) for Japanese HID-like bulb from First Markham; although they were burned out one year later, no regrets of having 'em.

Another remark of rear seat: it IS in fact roomier, compared with BMW E46 3-series...

[xonox]

Thanks for the article.  I never managed to find proper info on the web concerning common problems.

I have a 2001 S40 and i'll never own a Volvo again.  Took the dealer 3-4 visits to repair the fuel pressure regulator.  They charged me for a new battery the first visit and kept claiming to fix the issue.  Had all sorts of problems with the fan.  It still is noisy today after they changed the motor once (2 years ago) and the climate control module.  The car has rust all over the place, the hood is even perforated just above the passender-side headlight.  They changed the ECU, the catalyser, the antenna motor, several light bulbs and many other things i am trying to forget.  Side lights on the front bumper do not work because of corrosion.  Car keeps on burning its light bulbs.  I need to adjust the hood latch alarm system micro switch after every dealer visit...  I complained at Volvo Canada because the car seemed loaded with problems.  I've been told to go to the dealer and get an estimate and try to convince the service director to help me out.  If this fails they suggested i call them back and there is a slight chance they'll help me out.

Volvos were my dream cars until i owned one.  Now i have to convince me to prefer something else.  The car itself would be my favorite ever if it wasn't for all the technical problems.  The comfort is very good, the car has the right amount of power and we like everything about it except the technical problems.

My next car will be very boring and very reliable.

Man... you got really rigged by your garage! Everything is changed/replaced but in an unreasonable way!

And it was all under warranty.  So i didn't pay for most of the repairs.  Mind you, i bought the car used but Volvo certified.  I still can't believe it took 4 visits for them to find out the fule pressure regulator was defective as it's a common problem.  Volvo of Canada doesn't seem too interested in helping me out.  It's mind blowing to me.  Their mechanics don't seem to know much about cars.  It once spent 4 days at the dealer for a blown fuse.  I didn't even check anything and assumed the problem wasn't a fuse and brought it to the dealer.  Yes i panicked and now i learned a lot about little things like that.  However i don't feel like taking apart the interior to replace the bulbs that keep on burning.  The shift light burned for the second time in 3 years now.  It'll stay that way.

Of all the stuff i bought in my life, i never had such crappy service.  On a more positive note, the seats are great, the interior ergonomy is my favorite of all the cars i've seen and i still love the look of the car.

Any chance of seeking legal advice, if you like to?

Trust me, pal, I got my vehicle serviced both in authorized Volvo dealer AND private garage, and I review the bills... nothing crazy.

Speaking of interior bulbs I would NEVER obtain one from Volvo dealer. I would get it from other shops. Even the headlight bulbs: I dare say, I spent $100 (include GST) for Japanese HID-like bulb from First Markham; although they were burned out one year later, no regrets of having 'em.

Another remark of rear seat: it IS in fact roomier, compared with BMW E46 3-series...

Not going to spend money on lawyers or anything.  Not gonna waste my time with it.  This is an expensive option.

What do you mean by nothing crazy ?  You mean at both places it's not too expensive to maintain that car ?

I haven't paid for the bulbs at Volvo.  The car burned them so quickly after we got it (used) that they replaced them without charging.  Pardon my ignorance but i didn't understand what you meant about HID-like bulbs (what are those and 100$ seems expensive for a bulb ?).  I guess First Markham is an auto parts supply.  None of those around here.  I'm interested in any explanations

This was my first and last luxury car.  2 weeks after we got it, some kids ripped the headlight wipers from the car.  Next day he ripped what was left of them.  Pretty often we get new door marks on the car or marks on the bumpers from people who don't know how to park.

Thanks for the information, looking forward to any replies!

[turbodiesel]

Re xonox:

Well, pretty much we assume Japanese vehicles are less likely to have "minor problems" in terms of electronic failures compared with European vehicles... and so far having the V40 for almost 8 years, it is very reliable.

Last year I purchased RAZO Premium White ZERO bulbs, which costs around $90+GST! Oh... First Markham Place is a shopping mall as a whole! I forgot the name of auto shop inside FMP though...