2000 Volvo V40 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, WATER CAN ENTER THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, CAUSING THE PUMP TO FAIL.
What could happen: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST AND AN INCREASE IN NEEDED BRAKE PEDAL FORCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2000 V40.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V474000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-458-1552.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, WATER CAN ENTER THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, CAUSING THE PUMP TO FAIL.
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.
Notes: VOLVO RECALL NO. 129. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (23), Hydraulic (23), Engine (10), Suspension (7), Electrical system (5).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
07/12/2011 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO V40. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED WHEN THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED AND DROVE OVER A PLASTIC TRASH RECEPTACLE, CERAMIC POT AND THEN CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A NEARBY HOUSE. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY AND THE EXTERIOR SIDE OF THE HOUSE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. A POLICE REPORT WAS…
06/29/2011 · Engine
2000 VOLVO V40 - VERY WELL MAINTAINED, 2ND OWNER, APPROXIMATELY 83,000 MILES. I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE CAR WOULD SURGE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE A/C ON AND WHEN I HAD STEADY PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR (I.E. ICRUISING AT A STEADY SPEED). THE SURGE IN RPM'S WOULD BE RHYTHMIC, VERY SUBTLE (100-200 RPMS) AND CONTINUE INDEFINITELY UNTIL I TURN THE A/C OFF - A…
09/15/2010 · Brakes
BRAKES FAILED COMING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. ABLE TO STOP CAR BY USING EMERGENCY BRAKE. COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. BROUGHT TO BE SERVICED. MECHANIC REPORTED THAT IT WAS FAILED LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE DUE TO SPRING SUPPORT RUBBING THROUGH. THIS HOSE HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. MECHANIC ALSO REPORTED THAT RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE NEEDS TO BE REPLA…
03/16/2010 · Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE IDLE INCREASE ON BRAKING TO ABOUT 1500 RPMS. WHEN PUT IN PARK, IDLE INCREASED TO 4500 RPMS. I TRIED TAPING THE GAS TO SEE IF RPMS WOULD GO DOWN. INSTEAD RPMS INCREASED EVEN HIGHER TO OVER 5500 RPMS. TURNED THE CAR OFF. TRIED TO RESTART CAR AND RPMS IMMEDIATELY WENT HIGH AGAIN. TURNED THE CAR OFF A SECOND TIME. COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR. A SIMILAR…
12/02/2008 · Steering
FAILURE OF UPPER STRUT MOUNT BUSHINGS CAUSING LOSS OF SUSPENSION / STEERING. REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME ON 2000 V-40 VOLVO. RECENTLY VOLVO OFFERED A NEWLY DESIGNED HEAVY DUTY MOUNT AT THREE TIME THE REPLACEMENT COST DEMONSTRATING THAT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MOUNT WAS SEVERELY UNDER DESIGNED. *TR
08/15/2008 · Engine
EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE 2000 VOLVO V40 STATIONWAGON FROM A PRIVATE DEALERSHIP I'VE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS TRYING TO START THE CAR. WHEN TRYING TO CRANK UP VEHICLE IT TAKES A COUPLE OF SECONDS BEFORE THE CAR ACTUALLY STARTS AND IT SMELLS LIKE GAS AFTERWARDS. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANICS AND THEY HAVE GIVEN IT A FULL TUNE UP AND REPLACED THE INJECTORS BU…
07/31/2008 · Engine
ON JULY 19,2008, OUR 2000 VOLVO V40 LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON US 29 IN VIRGINIA. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT IT DID NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR. WE WERE ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF THE ROAD, AND HAVE CAR TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC. WE WERE TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS A SENSOR FAILURE. ACCORDING TO OUR SERVICE RECORDS, THE BOOST PRESSURE SENSOR AND CAMSHAFT R…
03/18/2008 · Suspension
WE PURCHASED OUR 2000 V40 FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AT 81K. WE NEEDED BOTH REAR SPRINGS REPLACED RIGHT AWAY. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THEY WERE REPLACED. DEALER SAID A COMMON FLAW WITH THE V40. WE ARE ALSO NOTICING A SHAKING IN THE FRONT END WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 50-60MPH. NOT SURE WHAT THIS IS. ALSO NOTICING THAT THERE IS A SHAKE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL…