2000 Volvo S40 Turbo 1.9L turbo
Summary:
The worst car experience I have ever had, bar none
Faults:
Brakes went out at 8,000 miles.
Headlights went out three times in one month.
Rear brakes/suspension made thumping noises.
Turbo was whistling out of control, ready to burn out.
Car burnt through 1 qt. of oil a month.
General Comments:
I've never been one to write car reviews, always sort of thought they are all the same enough that while you might have problems, they aren't too bad.
Then I bought a 2000 Volvo S40 "Certified Pre-Owned."
The problems started early on... the wonderful headlight problem. Volvo knows there was a problem was this, the resistor wasn't built into the car properly, and they issued a "Service Bulletin" on it. Amazingly, "Service Bulletins" aren't covered under the Certified Pre-Owned warranty. So after burning through 3 sets of Pep Boys headlights in 1 month, I called up Volvo to make an appt. to get my S40's problem fixed. I thought since I even had the Service Bulletin, it would be easy.
Boy was I wrong. I was told that since I didn't use genuine Volvo headlights, I'd have to pay to have them install them, at my cost, and see if the problem happens again. Obviously I wasn't down for this... so I enquired what cost I'd have to pay to get it fixed. $150!!! I was also told, and I kid you not, that since "Volvo's are safe cars, ahh, yeah, they go through headlights really fast." To put in a simple resistor harness that costs $10. No joke here. So I picked up the harness and installed it myself. Problem 1 solved... on my own, no thanks to the worthless CPO warranty.
Next problem. Car is purchased with 30,000 Miles. At 38,000 miles, brakes are soft and making a clunking noise. Quotes to replace brakes are absurd. Car was supposed to come with new brakes as part of CPO package.
Next problem. Just weeks ago, car develops a engine "shudder" that started as a rough idle and develops into a stall that occurs intermittently.
Next problem. Odd thumping noises when brakes are applied. This doesn't happen every time, but when it does, it's very obvious.
End of story is that I put out my Volvo to pasture last week (Trade In). Even though I lost money on it, as a result of it's horrendous residual value, I'm happier than can be. Replaced it with a Scion xB, and am amazed at the build quality. Isn't there something wrong with the fact that a $30,000 car has the same build quality as a $15,000 car?
Hope Volvo got it better in the 2005's... Stay away from the pre-2005 AT ALL COSTS THOUGH. READ THE EDMUNDS REVIEWS!!!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 14th March, 2005
1st Jul 2005, 09:17
I bought an S40 recently (2004 new) and have had nothing, but problems. The strartup shuddering thing you discuss occurred in my car at 18,000 miles. It is apparently a know problem by volvo and is currently being fixed by replacing the cylinder heads on the car. Wow a pretty big fix for only 18,000 miles. I don't think I'd ever buy another volvo again. I gave up a 1996 cobra that I loved, my wife convinced me to get the volvo on my 40th. I wish I still had the Cobra!!
16th Jul 2009, 14:43
The Engine shudder was the only problem that was similar to the ones that you have experienced. What it seemed to be in my case was that both of the engine coils had to be replaced; the problem was fixed after this.
29th Aug 2010, 22:41
I bought a Volvo 2000 S40 used, but what I bought was a bag full of problems. If you are thinking about buying a Volvo, it is time to change your mind before is too late and you will regret it.
24th May 2005, 10:23
I bought my used 2000 Volvo S40 a little over a year ago. In that time I have put over 15,000 miles on it and now have over 100,000 miles on the vehicle. Thus far, I'm a satisfied owner. This little car with Turbo certainly can move when you need that speed. My complaints (and I think others I have read) are few-they're with the windshield wipers, which squeak and drag except in fairly heavy rain to lubricate the way; and the headlamps. I live in a fairly rural area and must leave in the dark for a long commute. The headlamps, when on low, are pitiful and dangerous. I upgraded to some expensive bulbs with a claim to increase visibility by 25%, but it just isn't so. The high-beams are fine. I am waiting to see, now that the weather is warm again, whether a little "almost stalling" at a stop becomes endemic. Hopefully that won't happen. Also, in view of gas prices, I'm getting 27-28 mpg on regular.