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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  A great car if you treat it right. - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Jesse Coley - November 20 - 3:30 am

  I bought this car used with 80,000 miles on it. Its currently pushing 100,000 miles and I have had none of these problems other reviewers keep talking about. My brakes are FINE. The Check Engine light only comes on if I gun the engine while it is still cold, but then the light usually goes back off before the day is over. I had to replace the turbo when I first purchased the car, but Im sure thats why it was for sale in the first place. Turbo cars have special needs. Synthetic oil and letting the engine idle a bit before shutting off the car is a MUST. Im sure the previous owner didnt. Some people complain about bulbs burning out. The solution is to turn off the day-time running lamps.

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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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  Volvo? - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Volvo? - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I am both alarmed and glad to read the other reviews and see other similiar problems, I am not alone. Our breaks are beginning to squeak at 13,000 miles, the driver side door wind noise has always been abnormaly loud, there are a few areas on the car that the clear coat appears to be coming off, and last but not least the cruise is failing periodically.

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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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  Happy with my S40 - 2001 Volvo S40
  By gurgstar - April 1 - 7:13 pm

  I have owned the 2001 S40 for about a year and a half. Contrary to many of the other reviews (many of which pertain to the 2000 model anyway, which I know had more issues), I havent had any service problems with mine, aside from the "Check Engine" light coming on once. The car handles well, and the engine is powerful (though my previous car was a V6 and I do miss the V6 a bit). My only complaint would be the that the interior controls (climate and radio) are poorly designed.

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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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  Guess Im luckier than I thought - 2001 Volvo S40
  By JenDM - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I havent been extremely thrilled with my first Volvo, but after reading these reviews, I guess Im doing better than I thought. The clear coat on my car is trashed--every time a bird poops on it, theres a permanent spot, and I have found that the interior fabric stains even if its just a water spot. The plastic molding along the bottom of the car is constantly loose. The car has been reliable for me and I enjoy driving it, but with the paint quality, I just cant see this car looking good for the long haul.

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  T-4 - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Oskar - December 12 - 10:00 am

  I do not own an S40 but I have had the opportunity to test drive a few of them at several occasions. I have been to Sweden and driven two different versions, the S40 T-4 and the V40 2.4T. If the S40 T-4 was ever to come to the States, buy it! It is an incredible driving experience. It is super fast (240 km/h) and its performance would knock out many in its class, for example the Jetta VR6.

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  Great car for the low cost - 2001 Volvo S40
  By Matt - December 6 - 5:06 pm

  I have had my Volvo for a couple of years now and I am getting ready to sell her (upgrade). I must say that this car was an incredible purchase, I bought the car so that I could use it as a travel car and ended up using it full time because it was such a nice car. I would recomend this vehicle to anyone that loves the luxury of nice product but does not have the money to get a BMW/Merc