Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
12/9/2011 while on an incline driving at approximately 25 MPH brakes failed, even after pressing pedal all the way to the floor, car failed to stop causing collision with vehicle in front despite more than necessary braking distance maintained between two vehicles and under clear, sunny conditions. Note: dealer had completed 10-point inspection during oil change 14 days before occurrence. 8/2011 car flooded with water internally and on floor/carpet. Second occurrence. Sunroof drain pipes replaced and car seats, carpets, foam padding removed and dried. Owner required to pay 50% of cost of labor and parts, even though was to have been repaired in 2/2011.2/2011 first incident of car flood with water internally and on floor/carpet. Sunroof replaced and car seats, carpets, foam padding removed and dried. Sunroof replaced by Volvo, owner incurred labor costs. …
The rear brakes on this vehicle caught on fire after a short drive (1 mile) having to be extinguished with a fire extinguisher. The rear brake assembly (left rear) completely failed and overheated to the point of causing flames to appear needing to be extinguished. This car had 2939 miles on it as a new Volvo S40. This catastrophic failure was unexplained and without an apparent error by driver as this vehicle is used by a college student for very short distances. The emergency brake was not left on.
Noticed reduced braking power and brakes squealing. Took vehicle to dealership repair facility for inspection. Brakes were found to be "disengaged" on the passengers side front and "partially functional" on drivers side front. No brake warning light was displayed on dash. Brake pads and assembly replaced by dealership with "upgraded" parts and covered under warranty for no charge.
Problem with brakes on 2006 Volvo S40 t5. Severe screaching noise comes from brakes when in reverse. Volvo is aware of the problem yet they have not been able to resolve the issue. My Volvo S40 has had brake parts replaced 4 times. Each time I was told the problem was fixed. One month later, the noise is back. The noise is now back for the fifth (5) time.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Volvo S40. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard and failed to stop the vehicle when it was depressed. The vehicle shook violently without warning. The contact let the vehicle decelerate and then slowly drove the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V474000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
November 15, 2005 my Volvo S40's parking brake failed to work properly. After parking my car and leaving the garage the brake "slipped" and rolled out of the spot hitting another car. My car had 2,899 miles on it. When returning to my car that night I found that my parking brake had "slipped" and my Volvo had drifted down the ramp of my parking garage and struck another car. The morning of the accident, I pulled into my parking spot, set my parking brake, sat in my car a few minutes collecting my personal items from my front seat, and back seat, shut front and back door and walked down the ramp while looking back to make sure that my car was locked. The owner of the other car was already on the scene writing a report with the parking garage manager when I arrive at my car that afternoon. …
I got new car in nov 2003 of the year 2004 model. It feels like one has to put foot on brakes all the way to apply. It is progressively getting worse. In dec 2005, while existing from highway we meet an accident as it did not stop where it was suppose to stop. Volvo dealer top the break fluid during maintenance. But did not solve the problem. We got new brake pads from Volvo dealer and changed along with brake discs in 2009. But, it did not solve the problem. In the morning, it will not break unless one has to put foot on pedal few times. Again in 2015 we got brake pads from other auto part shop of high quality but it does not solve the problem. In addition, I smell gas but could not locate any leak of fuel. Also, steering wheel is very hard and we took to Volvo few times but it is the same.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Volvo S40. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle rapidly accelerated automatically. The vehicle would not slow down when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact had a difficult time pulling the vehicle over to the side of the road. The vehicle behind her notified her that the vehicle was on fire. Flames appeared while attempting to pull over the vehicle. The police department was notified. The vehicle was towed to her residence and then to the Volvo dealer. The tires and other equipment were damaged by the flames. The vehicle is currently being diagnosed by the dealer. The failure and current mileages were 65,000.
Related recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Volvo is recalling 1,114 my 2007 c30, c70, s40, and v50 passenger vehicles. A soft anodized layer in the master cylinder May trigger early wear on a rubber seal that can result in internal leakage of brake fluid.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the master cylinder. The brake master cylinder and brake fluid reservoir will be replaced and certain brake lines cleaned free of charge. The recall began on March 11, 2008.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
On certain passenger vehicles, the non-return valve May crack due to a poor weld causing a vacuum leak.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the vacuum hose. The recall began on November 29, 2004. Owners should contact Volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
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 investigations
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo S40 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (52), 2001 (27), 2004 (12), 2002 (7) and 2007 (6) model years. Brake complaints make up 43% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Volvo S40 brake problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 08V-101 (master cylinder, Mar 5, 2008); 04V-493 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Oct 14, 2004); 03V-474 (vacuum, Nov 17, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volvo S40 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles; 54% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (17 mentions), followed by the foundation components (12).
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.