Faults:

A broken (from heat) hose, caused extensive damage to the turbo at 75,000 miles. Turbo replaced ~$1500.00.

Front driver's side, bent control arm due to rubber bushing disintegration. This was at 77,000 miles.

LCD clock segments stuck at purchase.

Defective passenger side CV boot and axle shaft at 77,500 miles.

Leaking OEM CV axle seal (s) replaced (see above) 6 different times following the axle replacement. Each began leaking around 50 miles after replacement. Non OEM seal installed - leak stopped.

Defective O2 sensor at 90,000 miles.

Rear center seat belt torn on edge apparently due to scraping and wind vibration. This belt was never used. ? miles, just noticed.

Broken cup holder at 92,000 miles.

Seat motor defective at 92,000 miles.

Leaking timing belt oil seal at 110,000 miles.

General Comments:

Seeing all the issues with my S40 and others with similar problems, I am surprised there has been no class action lawsuit brought against Volvo.

In my opinion, this is a seriously defective, low quality car.

I have owned two Volvos previously, an '82 240 DL and a '96 850. Neither car has had anywhere near the number of problems that this one does.

Faults:

Outside of routine maintenance, which I do at the dealership, by the dealership schedule, there have been few major problems.

Cup holder broke twice.

The radio/CD/cassette player stopped working a few years after I purchased the car.

I broke a headlight while installing a bulb. The rear reflector separated from the front portion. Kept working though for four years, before I needed to replace it when the connections to the headlight went bad.

The other headlight, at ten years, wire connectors needed to be replaced.

Drivers side upholstery can be loose after ten years.

Mirror motor went bad after ten years.

Recent replacement of several coils after ten years.

Car still runs like a champ after 10 years and 113500. Not bad after all that time and miles.

I wonder if the newer model S-40s are the problem? I also wonder if Ford becoming involved with or as Volvo is part of the problem with the newer S-40s?

General Comments:

Unfortunately Volvo parts and labor is very expensive, in my opinion. However, the service I have received from the dealerships I have dealt with has been superb. One dealership discounted my parts and labor bill by almost $250.00 when I requested their assistance in giving me a deep discount. This service was over 2,200, which include major routine service, 110,000 mile timing belt change and several other costly items such as headlight replacement and change of front brakes and rotors, etc. Expensive -- to be sure, however they were willing to work with me on the price.

They also provided me with a loaner vehicle for two days. The loaner was a 2011 Volvo S-40. About a $50,000 loaner Volvo while my ten year old S-40 was in their repair shop. I suggested an even trade in jest. Would have been a nice trade, huh? Great customer service -- with customer satisfaction, respect and dignity a priority.

I also owned a Volvo 240 GL Wagon, which ran for 17 years and 207,000 miles. In addition, I previously owned a 1981 Two Door (yep, two door) Volvo DL. The car was in an accident with my wife and son, with them being struck at 60 MPH by a 4x4 truck while waiting to make a turn. Totaled the Volvo. Both wife and son got out of the car, looked back at the car and said dang or probably something stronger. NO INJURIES WHATSOEVER. It was a Volvo!