The 2001 Volvo V40 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 239,407 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
EQUIPMENT03V2840002003-08-01220,407 affected
Defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
Consequence
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. …
EQUIPMENT01V1690002001-05-2119,000 affected
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN AND WAGON PASSENGER VEHICLES. A DIODE IN THE ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM MAY HAVE A REDUCED SERVICE LIFE.
Consequence
IF THE DIODE FAILS, THE HEATER FAN STOPS OPERATING AND THE DEFROSTER FUNCTION IS AFFECTED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADAPTER WITH A DIODE FITTED TO THE HEATER FAN MOTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 11, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2
AIR BAGS
1
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
1
Total complaints12
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl*the contact owns a 2001 volvo v40. The contact stated while driving he had to apply extreme pressure to the brake pedal in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised him that the failure was caused by the power assist vacuum. The vehicle was not…”
“2005 (sep/nov/dec): engine check light on 3 times. Dealer repaired all 3 times and following months, which is 2006, having sudden shifting/accelarating at low speed. Dealer fixed 2 times and 1 time couldnot find the issue. Aug. 18, 2007: continued having same problems plus car was jerking on fwy…”
“Over the weekend my check engine came on in my v40 wagon. When idle it acted as if it was going to stall. A few times it did, when idle at a stop. It did restart most of the time right away, but a few times it took a couple of tries and waiting. I made an appointment to bring it in for service on…”
“Transmission slips, rpm/speed increases at approx 30 mph intermittently and after a turn for approx 1-2 seconds, causing an unsafe, and alarming experience. *ak”
“Transmission slips, rpm/speed increases at approx 30 mph intermittently and after a turn for approx 1-2 seconds, causing an unsafe, and alarming experience. *ak”
“Volvo 2001 v-40 sation wagon: rear brake pads completely gone by 17000 miles, leading to rotor damage and unsafe braking. Inspection at 15200 miles showed no brake related abnormalities. Volvo customer relations said fast wearing out of brakes is common in this model. *nlm”
“No brakes upon initial start and shortly therafter, vehicle idled for approximately 6 hours. Dealer reset check valve and said they do not have to replace assembly, computer said okay. *ak”
“While backing vehicle out of garage in morning the brakes sometimes become very difficult to push (hence, difficult to stop the vehicle). Prior to very recently, the problem only occurred while backing out of our garage down the driveway (1-2% grade, only). Recently, the problem is beginning to…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA02026 Opened 2002-09-10 · closed 2003-11-21
VOLVO S40/V40 MY 2000-2001
IN A NOVEMBER 6, 2003 SAFETY DEFECT REPORT, VOLVO INDICATED THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT RECALL OF THE 2000 MODEL YEAR (MY) SUBJECT VEHICLES (ABOUT 36,000 VEHICLES).VOLVO WILL ALSO CONDUCT A SERVICE CAMPAIGN OF ABOUT 31,000 2001 MY SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI INVESTIGATED BOTH THE 2000 AND 2001 MY VEHICLES…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 Volvo V40 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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