- The problem
- Certain passenger cars fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "Child restraint anchorage systems." The second isofix guide was not installed in these vehicles and, in certain cases, the owner's manual isofix information is incorrect.
- The risk
- This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
- The fix
- Owners will receive a letter/package consisting of the second isofix guide with installation instructions, and in certain cases, the corrected owner's manual may be provided. If the owner wants to take their vehicle to a volvo dealer for installation of the guide, it will be performed at no charge to the owner. Owner notification began on december 19, 2003. Owners should contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Vehicle safety record
2001 Volvo V40 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2001 Volvo V40 with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (4) and the engine & cooling (3). Those complaints describe 1 crash. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in August 2003 for the labels. For comparison, the 2000 has 50 and the 2002 has 7.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical V40 year, for its age
#182 most complained-about 2001 vehicle
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2001 Volvo V40 problems
Share of all 11 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2001 Volvo V40 recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Vehicle description: sedan and wagon passenger vehicles. A diode in the electronic climate control system may have a reduced service life.
- The risk
- If the diode fails, the heater fan stops operating and the defroster function is affected.
- The fix
- Dealers will install an adapter with a diode fitted to the heater fan motor. Owner notification began june 11, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
What owners say
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11 complaints about the 2001 Volvo V40
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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 no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000. The vin was unavailable.
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. Dealer replace neg. Battery cable and #4 ignition coil. Aug.21, 2007: Called to inform volvo north america and they suggested that I should talk to dealer service...
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manager. Aug. 27, 2007: The car is having same issue: sudden shifting @ low speed & jerking on fwy speed. This is very dangerous to drive and I don't know when the car is going to stall middle of fwy. I told the dealer that the car symptons are very much like etm problem (recall) on other models. Aug. 29,2007: Dealer replaced another #3 ignition coil and spark plug. I don't know how many times I will have to go back to the dealer for repeat repair. The dealer didn't bother to check etm unit. So far, I am lucky that I haven't gotten accident. (Same dealer service my car since 2001)
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 diagnose the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000. The engine size is unknown. The vin was provided but appears to be invalid.
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 day care when it stalled in the middle of driving. Luckily there was no one behind me and I was able to pull to the side of the road. The car went completely dead while...
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driving approximately 45 mph. I had a bit of trouble restarting it - but it eventually restarted. I was very nervous the rest of the way to the day care, but I made it without it stalling. I was able to leave the day care and decided to get to work and have it towed to the dealership. It stalled again. After many tries and 30 minutes later it started and I made it to work. I had it towed to volvo. They found a power supply interruption code -ecm30 and replaced the mass airflow sensor. Picked up the car later that day and on my way home from work the check engine came on again. As I pulled into my driveway it started stalling again. Took it back to volvo on 6/28. They worked on it for 5 hours while I waited. They replaced the front oxygen sensor, still had problems, replaced the rear oxygen sensor, the light still came back on. Replaced both sensors again and loaded software. That seemed to do the trick. I haven't had that same problem again so far. But I am noticing that my v40 sometimes slows (rpms rev up to around 4,000) when accelerating. This was very dangerous because when I needed to accelerate into traffic, vehicle slowed down. When I read in the paper about other volvo models have similar occurrences, I wanted to make sure someone new of the same type of problem happening in the 2001 v40 wagon. Every repair was under warranty and did not cost me anything thank goodness. My warranty is up this week -sure hope this doesn't happen again.*Jb
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
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
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
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 the vehicle has been sitting for hours and just started. I have yet to call volvo. The problem has been so intermittent up to this point I know what will happen: we will be without a car for a week while volvo drives it and finally reports to us that there is no problem. Have you folks heard anything on this peculiar problem???? Dt
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
While driving in a snowstorm windshield wipers failed.*Ak
In a minimal accident with no passenger in the passenger seat air bags deployed causing excessive and needless damage to the car. *Ak
Volvo V40: every year compared
All V40 years2001 Volvo V40 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 Volvo V40 | 11 | 2 | D | |
| 2001 Volvo S60 | 238 | 9 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Volvo V70 | 221 | 9 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Volvo S80 | 179 | 8 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Volvo V70XC | 144 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Volvo S40 | 84 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Volvo C70 Convertible | 11 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 2001 Volvo Cross Country | 10 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2001 Volvo VN660 | 7 | 0 | - | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2001 Volvo V40
Does the 2001 Volvo V40 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2001 Volvo V40: labels (August 2003); air conditioner (May 2001). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volvo V40?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (4), engine & cooling (3), transmission & drivetrain (2).
How many complaints has the 2001 Volvo V40 had?
11 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 19, 2001 and the latest on June 20, 2011. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2001 Volvo V40 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 36 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Volvo V40 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Volvo V40 years have the most complaints?
2000 (50), 2001 (11), 2002 (7). See every Volvo V40 year compared.
What should I do if my 2001 Volvo V40 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data