2000 Volvo S40

IT WAS CLOSE TO 9PM. 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. I AM PRETTY GOOD AT MAINTAINING THE CAR AND IT HAD BEEN SERVICED AT THE VOLVO DEALER FAIRLY RECENTLY. IT'S ONLY GARAGED ABOUT HALF THE TIME, BUT I LIVE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SO IT'S NEVER BEEN EXPOSED TO AN EXTREME CLIMATE OR ANYTHING. THERE WAS A THUNDERSTORM THAT MORNING, AND THE ROADS WERE VERY WET EARLIER IN THE DAY, BUT THE STORM BROKE AROUND NOON: 7 OR 8 HOURS BEFORE I LEFT HOME THAT NIGHT. BY THAT TIME ALL OF THE ROADS HAD DRIED. *TR

2000 VOLVO S40 WOULD NOT STOP WHEN APPLIED PRESSURE TO BRAKES. *TS THE CONSUMER FELT THAT SHE HAVE PLENTY OF DISTANCE BETWEEN HER VEHICLE AND THE OTHER VEHICLE TO STOP BUT THE VEHICLE JUST WOULDN'T STOP. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE. SIX MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE BRAKE PUMP WHICH DESCRIBED THE FAILURE THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL EXPENSES INCURRED. *NM

BOUGHT A NEW 2000 VOLVO S40 IN APRIL OF 2000. THE CAR NOW HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT....LIGHT DRIVING BY MOST STANDARDS. AT 18,000 MILES REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF MORE THAN $400. FRONT AND REAR BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ANOTHER TIME SINCE THEN. ON 9/21/05, I HAVE NOW ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AT A COST OF $600. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE READ A LOT OF OTHER DISCUSSIONS ONLINE FROM OTHER 2000 VOLVO S40 OWNERS WHO ALSO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CAR RUNNING THROUGH BRAKES EVERY 15-20,000 MILES. *JB

BRAKE PAD FAILURE WAS PREMATURE DUE TO THE ADDED BRAKE FORCE THAT WAS NECESSARY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *PH THE BRAKE PAD RIVETS WERE SCRAPING THE ROTORS. THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO USE EXTRA FORCE TO APPLY THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REBATE FOR THE AMOUNT OF REPAIR. *SC THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE ISSUE. RECALL #03V474000. *JB