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2000 Volvo S40

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most S40 years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Volvo S40 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 26.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all S40 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

47 reports with mileage · 75 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

17 reports
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148,800 miles · Aug 8, 2018
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11118565

99,900 miles · Dec 17, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,900.

NHTSA ODI #10664859

95,000 miles · Oct 9, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE'S SPEED ERRONEOUSLY INCREASED TO 55 MPH. THE CONTACT FIRMLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE'S SPEED ERRONEOUSLY INCREASED TO 55 MPH. THE CONTACT FIRMLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN FUNCTIONED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,828. UPDATED 11/13/12 *CN THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE AS REPLACED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. UPDATED 11/19/12

NHTSA ODI #10479401

74,000 miles · Mar 29, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER DRIVING IN REVERSE OR GOING FORWARD, AS WELL AS WHEN SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY NE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER DRIVING IN REVERSE OR GOING FORWARD, AS WELL AS WHEN SITTING AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY NEED TO REPAIR THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL, IDLE CONTROL VALVE AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COMPLETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10453452

130,000 miles · Aug 25, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10421471

95,000 miles · Feb 6, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING GARAGE AND MY 2000 VOLVO S40 BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. IT REVVED UP TO 3000 RPMS AND I HAD TO PRESS HARD ON THE BRAKE FOR IT TO STOP. I PULLED OVER IN THE GARAGE AND PLACED THE CAR IN PARK. THE CAR CONTINUED TO REV. I STEPPED ON THE GAS A COUPLE OF TIMES AND AFTER ABOUT 4 MINUTES IT RETURN…

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I WAS PULLING INTO MY PARKING GARAGE AND MY 2000 VOLVO S40 BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. IT REVVED UP TO 3000 RPMS AND I HAD TO PRESS HARD ON THE BRAKE FOR IT TO STOP. I PULLED OVER IN THE GARAGE AND PLACED THE CAR IN PARK. THE CAR CONTINUED TO REV. I STEPPED ON THE GAS A COUPLE OF TIMES AND AFTER ABOUT 4 MINUTES IT RETURNED TO ITS NORMAL OPERATING RPM AFTER WHICH I WAS ABLE TO PARK THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10380874

88,000 miles · Sep 27, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED IN 2008 AND THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR UNTIL 2010. MOST RECENTLY, THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A PARKING LOT WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED IN 2008 AND THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR UNTIL 2010. MOST RECENTLY, THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A PARKING LOT WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING INTO PARK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HER MODEL WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY RECALLS THEREFORE ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HER EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10357892

135,000 miles · Aug 13, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

MY 2000 VOLVO S40 HAD ANOTHER UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EPISODE ON APRIL 12, 2010 (I FILED A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT #10288666 IN OCT 2009). ON THE HIGHWAY IT WOULD GO 60 MPH WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL (AND NO IT WAS NOT STUCK AND THERE WAS NO FLOOR MAT IN THE WAY). THE LAST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS EARLIER. …

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MY 2000 VOLVO S40 HAD ANOTHER UNINTENDED ACCELERATION EPISODE ON APRIL 12, 2010 (I FILED A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT #10288666 IN OCT 2009). ON THE HIGHWAY IT WOULD GO 60 MPH WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL (AND NO IT WAS NOT STUCK AND THERE WAS NO FLOOR MAT IN THE WAY). THE LAST TIME THIS OCCURRED WAS SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS EARLIER. THE ECT SENSOR WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME. THIS LAST TIME THE VOLVO MEMPHIS DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ECT SENSOR AND IT HAS NOT OCCURRED AGAIN.....YET. THIS WAS THE THIRD ECT SENSOR REPLACED IN ABOUT A YEAR'S TIME. I ASKED THAT VOLVO CORPORATE BE INVOLVED TO CHECK OUT WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING. THEY HAD A FIELD TECHNICIAN RIDE IN THE CAR WITH ME AND CHECK IT OUT. BASICALLY THEY SHARED NO REASON FOR THE RECURRENT REPLACEMENT OF THE ECT SENSOR AND EVEN THOUGH I CONTINUED TO TRY TO GET AN ANSWER (AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPEAT REPAIRS). THIS IS ONE OF THE EMAILS I RECEIVED FROM THE VOLVO INVESTIGATOR AFTER THEIR INSPECTION AND MY CONTINUED DISSATISFACTION WITH NOT IDENTIFYING A ROOT CAUSE ---- "[XXX] , I CAN CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND YOUR DISAPPOINTMENT IN HAVING TO REPLACE THE SAME PART THREE TIMES. AS STATED, IF THE SYMPTOMS REOCCUR, PLEASE EITHER CONTACT ME DIRECTLY, OR CONTACT THE SERVICE MANAGER AT VOLVO OF MEMPHIS, RANDY PEARSON, SO THAT WE MAY GET BEEN INVOLVED ONCE AGAIN TO REVIEW YOUR CONCERNS REGARDING YOUR VEHICLE. TO DATE, YOUR VEHICLE IS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO INSPECT YOUR VEHICLE. ERICA KIRSCH PRODUCT INVESTIGATION COORDINATOR VOLVO CARS OR NORTH AMERICA" I AM NOT INTERESTED IN CONTINUING TO PURSUE THIS JUST BECAUSE OF REPAIR COSTS I FEEL SHOULD BE COVERED BY VOLVO. THE SYMPTOMS I HAVE REPEATEDLY EXPERIENCED ARE SCARY AND A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I ALSO SAW AN ON COMPLAINT #10288666 FILED ON FEB 18 2010 THAT SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME ISSUE AS MINE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10349257

88,000 miles · Feb 23, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED WITH CAR IN DRIVE. CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE SLOWLY INCREASING SPEED WITH FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR. PULLED UP ON ACCELERATOR WITH NO RESULTS. PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND RPM INCREASED TO 6000 RPM THEN BACK TO 750 IDLE SPEED. BACK INTO DRIVE AND ENGINE ACCELERATED AGAIN. ENGINE SHUT OFF VIA KEY THEN I…

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UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED WITH CAR IN DRIVE. CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE SLOWLY INCREASING SPEED WITH FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR. PULLED UP ON ACCELERATOR WITH NO RESULTS. PUT CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND RPM INCREASED TO 6000 RPM THEN BACK TO 750 IDLE SPEED. BACK INTO DRIVE AND ENGINE ACCELERATED AGAIN. ENGINE SHUT OFF VIA KEY THEN IT WOULDN'T START AGAIN. CRANKED BUT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. DEALER REPLACED ECT BECAUSE OF FAILURE OF PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313282

130,000 miles · Oct 16, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON MY 2000 VOLVO S40. ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT PRESSING PEDAL. MUST PRESS BRAKE HARD TO STOP. CONTINUES TO REV HIGH. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST MONTH. AFTER THE FIRST TIME, MY SERVICE SHOP REPLACED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE BUT IT OCCURRED AGAIN ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AFTER THAT. S…

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UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON MY 2000 VOLVO S40. ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT PRESSING PEDAL. MUST PRESS BRAKE HARD TO STOP. CONTINUES TO REV HIGH. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST MONTH. AFTER THE FIRST TIME, MY SERVICE SHOP REPLACED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE BUT IT OCCURRED AGAIN ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AFTER THAT. SERVICE TECHNICIAN HAS INDICATED HE CANNOT POTENTIALLY DIAGNOSE UNLESS IT IS OCCURRING WHEN HE CAN DRIVE AND LOOK AT IT. IT IS A SERIOUS RISK FOR CRASH OR INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10288666

Official recalls

1

03V474000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Nov 17, 2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, WATER CAN ENTER THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, CAUSING THE PUMP TO FAIL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST AND AN INCREASE IN NEEDED BRAKE PEDAL FORCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA02026 · Volvo S40/V40 My 2000-2001

Opened Sep 10, 2002 · Closed Nov 21, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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 THE NUMBER OF OWNER REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED TO ODI.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE PROPOSED ACTION IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THIS INVESTIGATION'S SAFETY ISSUES. FOR THE CRASHES, IN ADDITION TO THE 22 SUBMITTED BY VOLVO, ODI FOUND 10 ADDITIONAL CRASH ALLEGATIONS IN THE OWNER REPORTS, FIELD REPORTS, AND WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED BY VOLVO.OF THESE 32 CRASHES, ODI BELIEVES THAT 10 ARE CLEARLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT, AND 5 APPEAR TO BE RELATED.OF THE 17 REMAINING CASES, TWO DID NOT INVOLVE A CRASH AND THE OTHER 15 COULD NOT BE DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ODI WILL SUPPLEMENT THIS RESUME WITH A CLOSING REPORT AND ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL DETAILS CONCERNING THE DEFECT.

PE02009 · Brake POWER-ASSIST

Opened Jan 29, 2002 · Closed Sep 10, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

No summary supplied.