Most common 2000 Volvo S40 problems
Share of the 122 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo S40 complaints by model year
Best S40 years: 2010, 2011, 2009. Years to avoid: 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2004. Compare all years →
2000 Volvo S40 recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
On certain passenger vehicles, water can enter the electrical brake vacuum pump, causing the pump to fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the pump with a new and improved version and move the pump to a new location. Owner notification began on March 15, 2004. Owners should contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2000 Volvo S40:
Brake power-assist
VOLVO S40/V40 MY 2000-2001
In a November 6, 2003 safety defect report, Volvo indicated that they will conduct a safety-related defect recall of the 2000 model year (my) subject vehicles (about 36,000 vehicles).Volvo will also conduct a service campaign of about 31,000 2001 my subject vehicles.odi investigated both the 2000 and 2001 my vehicles and determined that the 2001 my vehicles experienced substantially lower rates of failures based on…
What 2000 Volvo S40 owners say
Brakes all 52 →
It was close to 9 pm. I had exited the freeway to stop in a parking lot to check directions. I had been driving for about an hour, so I got out to walk around and buy a cup of coffee. I came back a few minutes later and drove out of the lot. The on ramp was about 200 yards away and there was a red light at the intersection, so I was only moving at around 20mph. I was the only car in my lane, so about 100 feet away from the intersection I pressed down on my brake pedal, but the for some reason it the car kept rolling. I tried again, but the brakes were no help as I kept rolling. Frantically, I stomped hard, floored the brakes, and my car started to slow down a little, but that time it was too late. I tried to turn to the right to avoid the flow of traffic, but an instant later I had hit an oncoming car. I don't know what went wrong. …
The car has problems starting and takes a few tries before starting up. Have also had a problem where the car was in park with the parking brake engaged and the car was revving on its own. There have also been problems while the car has been slowing down on the freeway, specifically when the brakes are being engaged the car will attempt to move forward as though it is trying to push pass the fact that the brakes are being engaged. As well as the car will accelerate faster than the gas pedal is being pushed e.g when the gas pedal is slightly pushed the car will accelerate quickly as though the gas pedal was being pushed upon firmly.
Speed control & acceleration
The car has problems starting and takes a few tries before starting up. Have also had a problem where the car was in park with the parking brake engaged and the car was revving on its own. There have also been problems while the car has been slowing down on the freeway, specifically when the brakes are being engaged the car will attempt to move forward as though it is trying to push pass the fact that the brakes are being engaged. As well as the car will accelerate faster than the gas pedal is being pushed e.g when the gas pedal is slightly pushed the car will accelerate quickly as though the gas pedal was being pushed upon firmly.
The key has been sticking in my ignition when I park. This time when I could not get the key out, I restarted the car in park, of course with my foot on the brake. The car jumped into reverse and flew backwards out of my garage at a high rate of speed. It crossed the road and ended up knocking down a garage and totaling the car. The brakes were on as evidenced by the tire tread and skid marks. It was a bizarre occurrence and very frighteningly.
Suspension
1. Events = regular tire rotation in September 2008. Technician pointed out to me the corrosion and crack/failure in both rear coil springs. Mileage on the vehicle about 68,000 at time of discovery on my 2000 Volvo S40. 2. Corroded and cracked rear coil springs (both). The corrosion and crack were almost in the same location with the same amount of corrosion near the bottom (the first half-moon curve) of both springs where they are seated/braced. 3. October 2008 - took vehicle to local Volvo dealer for evaluation. They ordered new rear coil springs. I returned a week later to have the new coil springs installed at the cost of approximately $550, plus alignment. The cost of the coil springs was approximately $220 for both. The remainder was labor. I wrote a letter to Volvo of north America about this condition. I included photos, and I requested a refund. …
I own a 2000 Volvo S40. We just had our fifth trip to the dealer to correct knocking noise/rattle in the front suspension. Problem started at 44,191 miles. Now at 59,800. Two sets of control arm bushings and two sets of sway bar bushings replaced. Noise returns within 2000 mi of service. Also, I have had the rear brakes go out at 17,500 miles. Pads wore thin and cut into the rotors. That one cost $335. Also, air conditioner went out at 9000 miles. I paid the extra money to get a Volvo because I keep my cars for a long time. (I also own a 18 year old Audi 4000.) I bought Volvo for one word: reliability. I have found that Volvo does not stand behind their products. This S40 is hugely expensive to maintain. I am making far too many trips to the dealer to keep trying to get defects fixed.
2000 Volvo S40 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl turbo | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Volvo S40 a good car?
Based on 122 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 S40 rates avoid: 5.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the S40 at the same age. It is one of the S40 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Volvo S40?
The brakes — 52 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the speed control & acceleration (17) and suspension (14).
How many recalls does the 2000 Volvo S40 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2000 Volvo S40, the most recent from November 17, 2003 (vacuum). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volvo S40?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2011 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006 and 2004. See the full Volvo S40 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Volvo S40 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 73,000 miles; 32% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.