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 21 through 30 of 87.00

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  Holy Cow, Where do I start. - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Grant - August 5 - 7:03 am

  I saw many of the reviews on this site and said OMG, I have had the same problems. I got this car to go back and forth to college, boy it was a nightmare. OK we will go down the list. Sunroof needed to be replace upon driving it off the lot (sunroof leaked in water), suspension has a lot of noise, Check engine light comes on when it wants, AC comes on when it wants and doesnt work at intermediate speeds, constantly replacement of bulbs (especially headlights, twice a year and they are not cheap), paint chips easy, turbo line leaked causing a oil leak, constantly replacement of brake pads and rotors, poor braking, AWFUL Fuel economy (around 17 MPG) continues below in improvements section*

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  headache - 2001 Volvo S40
  By sadvolvo - March 5 - 10:00 am

  i dont even know where to begin with my s40s problems. the breaks need to be replaced a second time (at 20K). srs light has been on several times and air bag has been replaced. i have had problems with the air conditioning, check engine light, trunk lock, gas door motor, heated seat light, headlight, and more in less than two years. and sometimes the car wont start. i thought i was investing in a safe and reliable vehicle. lesson learned.

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  BOUGHT A VOLVO BUT GOT A LEMON - 2001 Volvo S40
  By jaykap - January 21 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car for my wife. Thought Volvo meant reliability and safety. Headlights had to be replaced 4 times. Check engine light would never go off. Brakes wore out after 15,000 mi. Ashtray door jammed shut. Cupholders were an afterthought. Tires wore down after 20k miles and had to be replaced. This car became very high maintainance. Ive had less trouble with my Jag. Dont buy this if you need a reliable car. I never got response from Volvo North America after I wrote them 3 times about my c

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  Do not buy this car! - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Emily - October 6 - 9:30 pm

  I purchased this car as a certified pre-owned. It was 3yrs old and had only 35k mi., but almost immediatly I began having problems - from the steering wheeling vibrating, brakes needing to be replaced, having to replace the entire sunroof, and varous engine parts failing. As soon as the warranty was up, I started taking it other places, but eventually was sent back to a dealer when my check engine light would not go off. Volvo informed me they could try a download to the cars computer, but warned me this occassionaly resulted in the computer freezing and the car becoming unusable, and it would be my expense to fix.

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  Adios! - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Anonymous - August 16 - 5:23 am

  I just traded this car in for a Toyota after 10+ years of loyal Volvo ownership. This is the worst car I have ever owned. Meticulously maintained and the turbo blew at 50k, then the ignition coils, then the thermostat, and on and on. Not on par with what a Volvo owner expects from a car. It was cheap and it shows in every aspect of the car from the interior to the mechanical reliability. I am so glad to be rid of this car.

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  Loved it the FIRST year - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Jen G. - January 4 - 2:00 am

  This car was great until I hit 23,000 miles with it. That is when the back brakes needed to be replaced and also the tires. Of course none of this stuff is handled under warranty. I leased the vehicle specifically so I wouldnt have to deal with these types of repairs but no such luck. I also think this car is a little sensitive to normal bumps in the road.