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Volvo S40

1807 messages,  Last post on Jul 01, 2011 at 7:51 AM

You are in the Volvo S40 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volvo S40, Sedan



Messages Page 49 of 181

#478 of 1807 new volvo by maggien

Jul 22, 2001 (11:23 am)

Sue -
I also just bought a 2001 S40. I was assured by the dealer that they were very dependable cars but am incredibly depressed to read all of these posts.
I got an incredible deal and thats why I purchased it. They told me that when/if I had problems with the car I would get a service loaner. Have other people at least got that when they have problems? Robert? How long are the brakes under warranty? I do stop-go commute every day in LA.
If everyone is having problems then we need to insist that the dealership fix them. is it that they can't find them or are trying to tell everyone that its just them? I had a lemon Saturn with recurring problems and can't deal with it if the Volvo is the same. Life is too full to spend time at the dealers.

#479 of 1807 Loaner/Rental by volvolemon

Jul 22, 2001 (12:17 pm)

I too was told that a loaner car would be available. This was true the first couple of times that I took the car in, but once I started having recurring problems I was not given the loaner. Instead they gave me a voucher for the local rental outlet down the street which would always tell me that the voucher didn't quite cover the cost of a comparable car. The volvo roadside service was also worthless. The last time the car broke down I waited over 4 hours for their "guaranteed 45 minute service" and finally called the auto club.

#480 of 1807 S40 Sport Edition 2001 by ArasG

Jul 22, 2001 (6:40 pm)

Bought my sport edition after looking at Passats (Audi) and several others. I was ready to pick up a S40, when I went to the dealer to pick one, the Sport Edition had arrived. Fell in love immediately.
 
Bough mine at the end of January and now have 8500 flawless miles. A joy to drive, comfortable (even for a 6'3" guy like myself). Have to take it in for an oil change at the dealer (Did the first one myself at 4000 miles). Get compliments everywhere I go and has plenty of Horsepower. (97 octane is currently $1.30 here in Florida)
 
Just got notice of a recall (replace a diode on the fan... big deal !).
 
Glad I made this choice

#481 of 1807 Re: Volvo S40 = Lemon? by s40girl

Jul 23, 2001 (8:52 am)

Thanks Rob for sharing your experience. The more I think about it, the more I want to go back to the dealer and rip up the papers! For a 30K plus car, I'm disappointed to hear it has so many problems. I'm beginning to feel that the problems don't just affect specific cars, but the entire model.
 
Well, a few more weeks and I go to pick it up. I'll let you know if I'm enjoying the ride or kicking myself everyday.

#482 of 1807 Re: new volvo by robertag

Jul 23, 2001 (9:14 am)

Margaret,
I was told by the dealer's service dept. that there is no such thing as warranty on brakes because it's a "wear & tear" item. I have, however, read on other forums that some people have been sucesfull in having Volvo pay for at least part of the repair cost. I have an appointment this Friday so... we'll see.
As far as a loaner goes, I do get one from my local dealer, although it usually takes up to a week's notice. Another dealer closer to Toronto will charge $10/day for a car but also has a free shuttle to and from the subway (which I prefer anyway).

#483 of 1807 2002 S40 by pearlbluesoul

Jul 25, 2001 (9:03 am)

I saw both the S40 and V40 at the local Volvo dealer recently. My first impressions were that these two are some of the nicest cars I've come across in this category. However reading the posts here makes turns me right off the idea of getting one. The NHTSA complaints database has quite a few service bulletins, but not that many consumer complaints -- that could also be because so few of them are sold in North America.
 
Would you think that by the 2002 MY these issues would be worked out? My understanding is that this car has been around since 96 in Europe and I'm surprised to see that there are still so many issues.
 
Would you estimate that the V40 would have the same reliability problems as well?

#484 of 1807 Pearl... by vocus

Jul 25, 2001 (10:30 am)

Considering the S40 and V40 are the same car except for the body shell, I would say yes. Of course, you all know that buying any car is like gambling, no matter what kind you get. Some have the promse of better reliability, but no one can be sure. Anyone can get a lemon.

#485 of 1807 Continuing Saga of Volvo S40 Woes by slovo

Jul 25, 2001 (10:59 pm)

Boy, I thought I was the only one having problems with my 2000 S40 until my sister shared this web site with me. I was informed by the dealer that I was one of the first in California to purchase the car when it became available in September 1999. I thought I had done my homework. After all, the car had been in Europe since 1995 and I could not find any reports of problems with the vehicle there. I actually had my heart set on the Lexus ES300 but where I live the nearest dealer is 2 hours away. So, I test drove the Maxima, A6, Toyota Avalon, and G20 before settling on the "Cute" S40.
 
Almost immediately I began having problems with the car. It went back to the dealer within days because of flaws and spider cracks in the windshield. I noticed tiny blue paint spots all over the white paint the first time I washed it (but the dealer refused to do anything about it.) Headlights have been replaced numerous times. Front right headlight sucks water in when it rains (dealer won't fix because they can not duplicate even though you can see the watermarks on the inside of the light.) I've experienced 2 "campaigns" (recalls) for a defective oil filler grate and driver side seat dampers. Rear sway bar replaced. Hard starts/grinding noises coming from engine when started. Plastic wheel inserts falling off. Rattles and squeaks from roof liner, dash board and rear seat on passenger side. Faulty gas gauge that has never been accurate. Drivers window makes grinding noise. Rear brake pads were replaced after only 26K. At 33K front and rear brakes had 50% remaining which seemed unusual wear especially since I live in a fairly rural area and my driving is mostly highway. However most intriguing and scary is the car was in the shop for more problems (new and recurring) at 40K miles (yes, I do a lot of driving) and my front brakes miraculously had 90% remaining and rear 80%. At 45K front brakes 30% and rear 60%. Now how does that happened?? Dealer is "looking" into this but I no longer trust their opinion or the car. The only thing that tickles my funny bone at this point is the Bag o'Parts I carry in the car to collect items that have fallen off. Unfortunately the dealer and Volvo N.A. find nothing amusing about this and can never seem to find where the parts are coming from to replace them. Nevertheless, each time the car is taken in the Bag o'Parts is delivered with what ever items have fallen off that week.
 
Needless to say I am very DISAPPOINTED with this vehicle and would caution anyone interested in purchasing an S40 to seriously think twice about their decision. Since discovering this page and reading the numerous service bulletins at www.nhtsa.dot.gov I am convinced that Volvo's quality and workmanship have taken a turn for the worse. By the way don't be fooled into thinking the 2001 or 2002 models are/will be any better. The word I hear is that they are not.
 
I hope to trade my little piece of work in on the Lexus AS 300 I originally had my eye on. My greatest fear is that they won't take it or I will take it in the shorts. Regardless, I will spend the money and it will be a pleasure to drive the 2 hours for service. At least they are friendly, open on Saturdays, will provide a loaner car for as long as needed, and will even let you pick up your serviced car on Sundays. He, real customer service... what a great concept. Had I known the past 22 months owning this car would have been this frustrating and time consuming I would not have sold my reliable, trouble-free '89 Honda Accord LXi with 230,000 miles on it. If anyone is curious the couple who bought my Honda still have it and have not had a single problem. In fact--they love it! Boy, did I make a HUGE mistake!

#486 of 1807 Problems already by maggien

Aug 04, 2001 (9:37 pm)

I picked up my new Volvo S40 on Monday and was not as excited as I would have been if I hadn't read the posts. Immediately noticed a big black stain on the beige cloth on the drivers's seat. I had uncovered the seat myself when I looked at it and it wasn't there before. They had installed the 10 CD changer, however. Promised to fix it when I gave them the car to install the LoJack and sunroof.
Just got it back after driving a S80 loaner for a week. The stain hadn't been completely taken off and I had to watch them do it again. Also there was a tiny scratch on the side, they left the car messy from installing the sunroof, forgot to put back the clip for my sunvisor and there is a vibration in the roof when I drive with the sunroof open. Is this normal? I've never had a car with a sunroof but I've driven with friends and don't remember a big vibration noise. I did have to added after-market but I basically can't stand the noise it makes above 30m. Anyone with a sunroof have this problem? Makes the sunroof pretty useless. Also, idle doesn't seem stable - rpm doesn't really change but the engine sounds different. Took me 10 mintes to defrost the back so I sat and listened to the engine. Never really settled down. Any recommendations?

#487 of 1807 Happy S40 Driver by ml430s40

Aug 06, 2001 (11:27 am)

I have had my S40 for 5 weeks now. I have had no problems with my sunroof except for a little wind noise with the sunshade pulled back. When closed, it is pretty quiet, even at highway speeds.
 
The only problems I have had was a slight pull to the right and some interior rattling. The dealer performed a frontend alignment under warranty. As for the rattle, I found that the right storage tray vibrates, especially when I turn up the volume on the stereo. I took the interior panel off the door and sprayed some dry type lubricant on the seams and it is very quiet now.
 
My only complaint with the car is the amount of torque steer is has. I'm not accustomed to it but have heard it is normal.
 
I like the car for it's power, handling, safety, and sports car feel. The other cars in the class are good too - Acura TL and Audi A4. Only time will tell, but having fun.

Messages Page 49 of 181

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