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Volvo V40 - Information & Experiences
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Comments
Thanks for your responses.
Thank you.
http://www.petitiononline.com/vs4ds100/petition.html
so far, there are 87 signatures. Add yours and maybe Volvo will build the car. Also join in on the Volvo S100 conversation under Future Vehicles.
Did you purchase your V40 yet? Drop me an e-mail.
joe
I guess if you can get those things fixed before purchase (or get a hefty discount due to those items) it wouldn't be bad. Otherwise, I'd pass.
By brake issue I take it you mean the Volvo Soft pads, no big deal there.
Put a new battery in the car.
The car might still be under warranty so the window and roof could be fixed by volvo
Revka
Host of Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
local dealer turn the running lights program off.
No problem since I had this done. Then, innumerable rattles started making their presence
felt. My lowly Mazda Protege does a better job here. Virtually everything made out of plastic in the interior of the car has broken and virtually every part in the interior is made of plastic! The car is noisy. Noisier than my Mazda Protege. The windshield wipers are a cruel
joke. It does have adequate power and adequate
passing power. It is spacious. Considering that I use high octane gas, it is really not that
economical to run. Plus, the brake pads need to be replaced frequently. And consider this: it takes a lot more money to maintain a Volvo than even a Lexus (comparisons with my friend's RX300). Would I buy another V40? No.
Would I buy another Volvo? Probably not. So, to those of you who are considering a V40 - there is much better value out there for the same money!
Bill H.
Tell your tech to take another look under there.
This is a real shame, the car only has 17,900 miles and is in immaculate condition. As a first time Volvo owner, this has been the worst car experience I have ever had. So new buyers be aware.
List of problems: 1.at 12k front oxygen sensor failed 2.at 14k rear oxygen sensor failed 3.at 20k brakes had to be done 4.at 25k driver seat frame back broke 5.at 30k, 60k, 90k headlamps burned out (like clockwork) 6.at 45k driver side mirror fell apart on highway 7.at 48k car out for 2 weeks, would not start, waiting for engine speed sensor shield and cable even though a bulletin had been issued for those in summer 2001 (before car built date) 8.at 80k car would not start, again, engine speed sensor and cable assembly 9.at50k lost plastic center inserts in several rims 10.original tires dead at 30k, replacements still good at 95k (same tire make and model, go figure)11.since 45k transmission shifts into false neutral, occasionally, when upshifting; reproduced by dealer but never fixed as Volvo and dealer play me against one of them to first invest over 1000$ in transmission flushes, software updates and other BS 12.at78 k had to buy extended warranty as I would not be able to afford all thsoe repairs, $1800 down the drain 13.at 55k check engine light, thermostat had to be replaced (warmed up too slowly) 14.brakes are very good performance wise, but last only one winter after which, specifically the rear rotors and all pads, are grovved, worn, and garbage; brakes all around $1300 at Volvo dealer 15. at 97k the large rear door plastic piece (plate holder, lamps etc) cracked around rear center latch, will need replacing 16. I forget the rest (and am happy about it)
Since Volvo does not fix the tranny I use avery opportunity I get to drive people in my car and point out the crappy tranny as "acceptable to Volvo". My comeback to Volvo is to talk as many people as I can out of buying one, so far succesfully done 4 times.
First and last Volvo ever. All I really wanted was a nice, somewhat fast and solid car, and pay a small premium if needed. I sure paid the premium. Seven months left on lease...and feeling better every day.
I finally had to disconnect the battery.
The noise appears to come from the left front end, behind the head light.
If any body knows the reason and solution I would greatly appreciate it...
sincerely, frustrated
Replaced front bulbs at 25K
front strut needs to be replaced...
What a piece of junk.
Same issue with head light bulbs blowing out and cost $20 per. Also rear bulbs blown out and replaced.
Factory tires are criminal as they wore out after 24000 miles and are unsafe due to side wall flex.
I will celebrate when this lease is done and expect Volvo to hose me at the end with closing fees.
I would not buy the new volvo V50 if you paid me due to the more than likely costly issues ahead. Read the early posts which were all positive and now see the truth come out.
Good luck. Volvo get a life!
rgmurphy
Other than that V40 and S40s are nice to drive.
Get a Nissan or something reliable is my recommendation.
Cheers
kcram
Host
Smart Shopper and Wagons Message Boards
Ask one question of Volvo (Ford).
Do you warrantee the brakes? Go from there.
This will be the first question I would ask in buying any Volvo. Expect the same answer and the same results.
Near great cars with no brake life.
I guess Volvos slogan should be.
"Volvo for no brake life". heh heh heh (so bad you have to laugh)
Low reliability cars with high maintenance costs.
Cheers
RGMurphy P.Eng
Summary: a hoot to drive, gas miser, maintenance too expensive (brakes, e.g.), very unreliable (3 tows in 4 yrs), no value for money; must have backup car if you live in the boonies.
Anyway, done and over. Yappadappadoo.
See also message 148
Can anyone speak to whether the 2004's have the same brake/light/plastic/random problems I have read about repeatedly here??? Consumer reports gave good ratings to it but who knows...
Any 2004 owners out there?
The brake issue isn't a defect but rather a side effect of the brake design.
The V40's brakes are smaller than any other Volvo's. In order to assure safe stopping more work is done by the rear brakes than in any other Volvo. Consequently, the brake pads tend to wear out sooner. Also, since the rotors cannot be turned they also have to be replaced sooner rather than later.
If the extra maintenance on the 40 series brakes bothers you you might want to consider the V50 instead.
Other than that, anything I should know or realize if buying? Competing vehicles are 2003 LL Bean Outback or new 2005 Outback XT Ltd. Have always had a soft spot for V40 but don't want to make a decision I'll regret. Husband who is SUPER practical will get to say "I told you so"... ;-)
Could be every 10-15,000 miles or every 30-40,000 miles.
Now, if you are also looking new, the V50 bears looking at. Much nicer car than the V40 IMO.
I own a 2004 V40 and the dealer advise me that it must have been by a ring ?
We have also had the rear brakes replaced at 15K and my wife has been complaining of occasional weird shifting that the dealer claims to not be able to reproduce.
The brake thing doesn't bother me, but I wish the "stealer" would own up to the tranny thing before our warranty is up.
We really love the care otherwise and plan on driving it for a long time.
it was covered under warranty, thank goodness.
I'm wondering if this is how the car is supposed to be or if I need to take this in to the dealer for repair.
To be honest, I don't particularly like going to the dealer because they have a way of dimissing small problems and making me feel like I don't know what I'm talking about!
Any input about a similar problem would be most appreciated!
-The leather on the steering wheel just started bubbling and peeling away. Took the car to Volvo and they replaced the steering wheel.
-The leather on the seats is wearing away also and I predict that I will be forced to either have the seat re-upholstered or buy a new seat by next year.
-The paint is not very resistant to nicks and dings... or the clear coat is of low quality. I have a 97 4Runner with over 150k miles on it and it does not have near to the amount of nicks in the paint as the 1 year old Volvo does.
-When first starting the car in the morning (I park my car in the garage every night) The breaks barely work. The first time this happened I took it into our dealer and they said they could not find a problem. The problem still persists. I have found there is a 'RECALL' for this exact same problem.
-For some reason, at various times, the steering wheel shakes/shimmies. Does not appear to be out of alignment. When I let go of the wheel the car maintains a straight path. Feels like the front end is shaking or almost like the engine is working very hard.
-The head lights have both been hit by rocks and at near to $500 a light... I can not really afford that, waiting for one to end up in a junk yard or 3rd party light. I did find that Volvo sells a plastic cover for the lights to help protect them from this. If your lights are still in crack free, you might want to rush out and by these 'sticker' type covers. I am hoping for some kind of after market hard plastic cover someday.
-I live in a wet area (Olympia, WA)and taking off on a hill, the front end slides out. I have not predicted a time when using the 'W' button in advance before starting off and spinning tires on the street. Also if the road is just a bit wet or even slippery, the front end will give out and so far I've managed to gain control before crashing (so now we drive very carefully in these situations)
-I have one break light that keeps burning out. I burned out my first one after three months; Volvo replaced it and checked the electrical. Good to go until about 7 months of ownership. Took it to Volvo, replaced it, good to go. Now at 13 months of ownership the light that says my break light is going out goes on occasionally. But the break light is good. I don't understand.
-There was this plastic piece that sits on the end of track that the seat slides back and forth on. It fell off and I guess it broke off. That was after 2 months of ownership. I think they ordered a new one?
-I was disappointed that I was not notified of the recalls to my vehicle. I will call the number on Monday.
-One of the rear seat belts is having a problem at the buckle. 3 out of 5 attempts to insert the belt into the buckle results in a fail to secure.
-The dealer in Fife, Wa. has always been excellent. But the dealer in Olympia (which has won all kinds of awards for customer satisfaction) has been miserable and unfriendly. I agree with an earlier post that if you are unhappy with one dealer go to another. I drive a good 40 miles to go to the Fife dealer where the Olympia dealer is about 10 miles away.
-Fuel Economy is also decreasing, the trip meter says I am getting from 28 to 32. But on paper, it is closer to 18 to 24. Normal Driving. I have been on time with every service interval.
-The factory radio is dangerous while driving because you MUST look (not just a quick glance) at it when making adjustments.
-The 12 Volt DC receptacle can only handle 20Amps and I wish it could handle 30Amps so I could plug in 30Amp DC to AC converter that I bought from Radio Shack. AND I can not find one that is less than 30Amps
-Some times the door locks on the car just open. And other times, the rear door locks will not open with-out pushing the lock and unlock and lock and unlock sequence on the button.
-The plastic on the key is breaking over the buttons.
At times I like the car and at times I don't. I did like it when I drove it off the lot, but a little over year later, I am not very happy with my choice. If the car was 5 years old, then I would be more understanding; thinking wear and tear. I don't think I will be buy another Volvo... Nor am I recommending them when people ask me my opinion. I tell them my experience with my V40. I admit I mostly bought the car based on Volvo's reputation and I am disappointed.
I understand this is a long entry. I contemplate daily now if it will be worth the effort writing to Volvo expressing my experiences, disappointment, and troubles I have had with my V40. This blog came in handy in clearing my thoughts. AND this is my own account with my V40 that cost me $28K (A lot of money for me).
I have been very satisfied with the service I have received from the Volvo Dealer in Fife, and this next visit will be the first time I will have to pay.
Enough for now...
Perhaps after next week when I take my car to the dealer and get ready to fork over the big bucks for a one year old car for things that normally don't go wrong on a one year old car with 38K miles on it, I will post the results here.
You could buy an obd-II reader and pull the code. There are some universal codes, but alot are Volvo specific.
Some auto parts places will pull the code for you free of charge.
You would still have to have a mechanic correct whatever is wrong
I have always felt that none of the European brands are as reliable as perhaps one would hope. My own experience with a VW and an Opel(Catera) bear this out. European cars just seem to have a desireabitity that the Japanese brands lack. And Volvo is no different...I don't own one yet(just two months into this),but the cars do strike me very favorably. Ergonomically they seem perfect....And I do believe they are the safest brand on the road. And I can believe that they might have many niggling problems such as you have reported....They do seem very durable all the same...I've seem many recently pushing 250,000 miles.....