Overview & Reviews

Only a year after debuting them on U.S. shores, Volvo has updated the S40 and V40 for 2001. Both the sedan and wagon gain additional crash protection in the form of standard head-protection airbags, dual-stage front airbags and a new child seat-safety system. Under the hood, engine improvements have been made to increase power and lower emissions. There's also a new five-speed automatic transmission that takes the place of the previous four-speed. Other changes are found in the cabin, with new material colors, a redesigned center stack for better functionality, more durable front-seat materials and improved switchgear. Rounding out the S40 and V40's 2001 changes are restyled headlights, bumpers and fenders.

• Strong complement of safety features, affordable base price, upscale interior.

• No manual transmission offered, lacks sporting intentions, pricing can quickly escalate with optional equipment installed.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 87.00

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  Must read - S40 - 2001 Volvo S40
  By 2001 S40 - November 24 - 2:03 am

  I purchased this car in 2001 - my first new car! Since that time, I have replaced brake pads front and back each year since ownership. My check engine light continues to come on and no one can figure out why. Other repairs include fuel pump, rotors, every light bulb in car, thermostat, fuses and other minor things. I purchased this car for safety and my concern now is that with all of the repairs that I have made (most of them on-road surprises), that this car actually compromises the safety of the driver - not protects it.

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  Be prepared for monthly repairs - 2001 Volvo S40
  By jgookassian - August 29 - 10:00 am

  Date-Odometer-Service 6/5/01-4847-Fuel gauge is not reading 9/10/01-7284-Replaced a door molding 5/30/02-14706-replaced front washer valve 8/8/02-16536-Replaced the rear brake pads 3/8/03-23553-Takes 2-3 tries to start the car. Performed speed sensor update 3/19/03-24503-Takes 2-3 tries to start the car. Could not reproddyce 5/30/03-28186-Replaced all light bulbs 7/8/03-30247-Turbo oil return tube leaking. Replaced front brake pads 7/31/03-31586-Install SOP oxygen sensor, install updated wiring harness 9/16/03-34079-Replaced front oxygen sensor 12/9/03-37319-Transmission internally slipping. Replaced the transmission. Continued below.

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  I was wrong. - 2001 Volvo S40
  By irunthis19 - August 12 - 3:38 pm

  So here I looked at all these reviews before buying the car, I thought "Man I wonder if these people are right.." But got the car anyway. Its a day later, and already I have to replace all fluids, flush everything, buy a new water pump, and replace the timing belt. The car has been perfectly kept before me, and only has 90,000 miles on it. Yet, I still find myself burning a hole in my pocket. Do Not Get This Car - Or youll make the same mistake I did.

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  Bad Car Days - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Lake Jackson Tx. - October 31 - 4:36 pm

  Paint flecking off. Paint scratches easily. Freshly shampooed hair stains the interior. Some kind of coating on interior knobs is coming off and they are sticky. Lightbulbs inside and outside of car are forever going out. Steering rack replaced twice. Air condition will blow hot or cold high and low whenever it feels like it. Check engine light is always on. Problems with the radio. Cruise control works when it feels like it. Console lid is broken. Front cup holder is a joke. Overall do not buy this car! The parts for this car are way over priced.

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  Very disappointed - 2001 Volvo S40
  By BadLuck - September 29 - 8:03 pm

  Bought my 2001 Volvo S40 and after 3 years, I had the enjoyment of trading it in for a Mercury Mountaineer SUV! Im a big guy: 6 feet 200 and I was sick and tired of receiving a head concussion every time I stooped down to get in this vehicle. A/C never worked right and not cold enough despite multiple trips to Volvo dealer. CD player constantly skips even with entire new factory Volvo unit. Intrument panel/radio/cup holder ENTIRELY NON-USER FRIENDLY and confusing! Only good thing was turbo engine was quite peppy and good gas mileage. Because this car was so small and multitude of creature "dis- comforts" that it had, I had the pleasure of dumping it for a nice big SUV. Whew..what a relief!!

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  Not a great car - 2001 Volvo S40
  By awree5 - July 10 - 6:55 pm

  I bought the vehicle last year with 62,000 miles on it. Being a Volvo, I thought it was reliable and a great buy. As soon as I pulled out of the lot check engine light went on and brought it back to get the spark plugs fixed. I recently just traded it in and I have had it less than a year! I had to replace brakes, check engine light would not turn off, blown turbo, two ball joints, shocks, and lastly to top it off there was a transmission problem after just four months of having it. Something broke every month and costs were just as much as I bought it for. Got rid of it with 78,000 miles god bless who ever gets one

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  Hate it, but guess Im lucky - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Hating it... - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Replace both brake pad sets at 31K ($330) - 90% worn and threatening rotors (no warning from dealer at 15K check-up); Head, tail and dash lights blown out; Turbo fuel line leaking; Poor customer service at dealer - Volvo of Carlsbad, CA. All, a mockery considering were talking VOLVO.

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  Hated it - 2001 Volvo S40
  By not very happy - August 14 - 1:50 am

  A follow up on a previous review: Now I am at only@ 43k miles, transmission sometimes mis-shifts, service light always comes on! Check engine has been on and off for the past year! Both cup holders have self-destructed! Very strange noises come from engine compartment. Forget about holding coffee in the coffee cup holder because a) it will spill all over radio and console and b) it blocks radio and most of console controls.

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  Dont buy this car! - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Dave T - May 13 - 10:00 am

  *The brakes and rear rotors wore through after only 20,000 miles. The factory admitted a bad brake pad compound. My cost $500! *The electonic gas gague would read empty when it had over a third of a tank of gas left in it. The dealership sent me away once and said that that was "normal". * The radio didnt recieve AM stations. I had to replace the radio *The cup holder spring broke two days after I bought the car. * At 23,000 I started hearing a loud knock from the under carriage when I braked at slow speeds. *The noise inside the cockpit started increasing significantly after only 24,000 miles

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  Avoid It! - 2001 Volvo S40
  By alibi - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Headlight burnout, brake replacement, constant check engine lights, unexplained alarm problems and most recently a windshield crack -- all add up to a very disappointing experience. The cupholders block the radio, the radio controls are diabolical, the headlights project a strange, ribbed pattern and, on a sunny day, most of what you see in the windshield is a reflection of the top of the dashboard. Add a miserable dealer (Penkhus in Colorado Springs). Volvo should be ashamed.