2001 Volvo S40 recalls and problems

The 2001 Volvo S40 has 2 safety recalls and 84 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volvo dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
84
Crashes / fires
11 / 4
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Volvo S40 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Volvo S40 recalls

Recall 03V-284: Equipment

Reported Aug 1, 2003 · 220,407 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

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.

Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.

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.

Recall 01V-169: Equipment

Reported May 21, 2001 · 19,000 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.

Problem: Vehicle description: sedan and wagon passenger vehicles. A diode in the electronic climate control system may have a reduced service life.

Risk: If the diode fails, the heater fan stops operating and the defroster function is affected.

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.

2001 Volvo S40 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic25
Engine and Engine Cooling12
Electrical System10
Vehicle Speed Control9
Air Bags8
Visibility6
Structure5
Engine5
Power Train4
Exterior Lighting4
Equipment3
Wheels3

Most reported parts

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads — 6
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 4
  • Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 4
  • Structure › Body — 3
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 3
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 3
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum — 3
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control — 3

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 67,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2001 Volvo S40 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Structure · at 15,000 miles · reported Jul 16, 2020
Me an my husband was driving the car an it started to run hot so we went an got the part to go on the car an when when we got back to my father in law house the car cut off an started to smoke real bad then went into flames an when we first got the car we got everything fix on it an then when you plug the montior to the the car it said we had ten codes up there an they was the same codes that was on the car an we know we had got everything fix on the car an we was still having problems with the car no we out of a car cause it went into flames.
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Aug 13, 2019
I bought a 2001 volvo s40 from tom blevins owner of popples garage. The odometer quit working as soon as I bought it. The key would get stuck in the ignition and would have to be left in the ignition. The drivers side window got stuck in the down position because of a faulty controller. The hood hydraulic arm that holds the hood up when it's raised does not work and has to be propped up with a wood block. Headlights and turn signals do not work. There are more problems to discuss but I AM out of space.
Electrical System · at 190,000 miles · reported Aug 7, 2016
I've contacted volvo and demanded my money back and they refused, this is my next step before taking them to court for a measily 2,500. This car has caused me a headache unlike any other, the electrical system fails in this car and passes through it malfunctioning one thing after the next, my back window went up and down on its own, heating and cooling systems do whacky things which ruined the car making it overheat even after shops replace sensors and radiators, the main safety concern which volvo is suppressing is that the electrical ghost also affects the braking system and accelerates…
Engine · at 93,000 miles · reported Jan 12, 2016
Car caught fire without warning as I was driving it. Car had 93,000 and had passed va inspection in august. I pulled over and called 911. By the time the fire department arrived 3 minutes later, entire engine was engulfed in large flames. The temperature gauge never indicated the engine was running hot. Usaa removed the vehicle, and I don't know whether they will inspect it for cause, but I suspect an electrical malfunction.
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Oct 19, 2015
The vehicle is unable to pass inspection. The following parts were change air cleaner assembly, air cleaner sensor, fuel system filter, fuel system vent hose, fuel system ground strap, fuel system cover, fuel system gasket and fuel system pump sender assembly. My son had 3 tickets for no inspection. I research the vehicle and it stated that people pay volvo $150.00 to pass the inspection. The mechanic reported that he did work on another volvo s40 2000 and when a complaint was placed the volvo fix the problem. I bought another vehicle because I cannot effort to keep getting tickets and paying…

Other Volvo S40 years

Compare all Volvo S40 years · All Volvo models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Volvo S40 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2001 Volvo S40: 03V-284 (equipment), 01V-169 (equipment). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Volvo S40?

Owners report service brakes, hydraulic problems most often (25 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (12). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 67,000 miles.

Are Volvo recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volvo dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.