MYRModel Year Report

2001 Volvo S40

○ Not enough data
2001 Volvo S40
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:47:29.038Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
84
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2001

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

32% of complaints

Complaints per year

2000: 122 complaints 2001: 84 complaints 2001 84 2002: 27 complaints 2003: 18 complaints 2004: 48 complaints 2004 2005: 69 complaints 2006: 58 complaints 2006 2007: 25 complaints 2008: 16 complaints 2008 2009: 10 complaints 2010: 9 complaints 2010 2011: 5 complaints
2000: 122 complaints 2000 2001: 84 complaints 2001 84 2002: 27 complaints 2002 2003: 18 complaints 2003 2004: 48 complaints 2004 2005: 69 complaints 2005 2006: 58 complaints 2006 2007: 25 complaints 2007 2008: 16 complaints 2008 2009: 10 complaints 2009 2010: 9 complaints 2010 2011: 5 complaints 2011
2000: 122 complaints 2000 2001: 84 complaints 2001 84 2002: 27 complaints 2002 2003: 18 complaints 2003 2004: 48 complaints 2004 2005: 69 complaints 2005 2006: 58 complaints 2006 2007: 25 complaints 2007 2008: 16 complaints 2008 2009: 10 complaints 2009 2010: 9 complaints 2010 2011: 5 complaints 2011

2001: 84 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2000122
200184
200227
200318
200448
200569
200658
200725
200816
200910
20109
20115

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

32% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

14% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing emission control and gasoline.

FIRE

Electrical system

12% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and ignition.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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...

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-07-16

Also filed under Engine and structure

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-08-07

Driving we smelled an electrical type of smell, then bell owing smoke and then we stopped and tried to open hood fire came gushing out. Called 911 report to fire dept. Car totalled.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-04-27

Vehicle speed control

11% · 9 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer put vehicle in drive and vehicle took off. Consumer hit a telephone pole while trying to avoid hitting another vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-01-16

Air bags

8% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Volvo S40. The contact was traveling 40 MPH and crashed head-on into another vehicle. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained head and neck injuries. The police were notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-08-19

I was driving north on the garden state parkway when the side curtain airbag on the driver's side of the car spontaneously deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-06-08

Consumer's vehicle was involved in a frontal collision while driving at 25MPH and neither air bags deployed. Dealer notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-03

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2001-06-11Equipment01V169000 Vehicle description: sedan and wagon passenger vehicles. A diode in the electronic climate control system may have a reduced service life.

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2002-09-10Engineering analysisClosed 2003-11-21 Volvo S40/V40 my 2000-2001
  3. R
    2003-12-19Equipment03V284000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2001 Volvo S40 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 27 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 01V169000 · Equipment
  • Recall 03V284000 · Equipment
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2001 Volvo S40 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volvo S40?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2001 Volvo S40 have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.