Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Volvo S40, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 42 | 31% |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 10% |
| Suspension | 13 | 10% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 2% |
| Steering | 3 | 2% |
| Visibility | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
This is to describe airbag injuries. My car performed well. If not for the airbag and good construction of this Volvo I would not be here to ask for your help. I am wondering why we still use explosive materials and a
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THE CAR HAS PROBLEMS STARTING AND TAKES A FEW TRIES BEFORE STARTING UP. HAVE ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WHERE THE CAR WAS IN PARK WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED AND THE CAR WAS REVVING ON ITS OWN. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN PROBLEMS W
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
THIS HAPPENED YESTERDAY 1/28/16 AND IN APRIL 2015 (THE DEALERSHIP "FIXED IT" BUT IT DIDN'T WORK!!!!) YESTERDAY, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE CAR DID THE SCARIEST THING I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING. ALL
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN ORDER TO
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT BEHIND SEVERAL CARS. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, BUT DID NOT PUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE CAR ENGINE REVVED UP AND LURCHED FORWARD DESPITE ME ATTEMPTING TO
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE'S SPEED ERRONEOUSLY INCREASED TO 55 MPH. THE CONTACT FIRMLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MER
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
IT WAS CLOSE TO 9PM. I HAD EXITED THE FREEWAY TO STOP IN A PARKING LOT TO CHECK DIRECTIONS. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, SO I GOT OUT TO WALK AROUND AND BUY A CUP OF COFFEE. I CAME BACK A FEW MINUTES LATER AND D
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER DRIVING IN REVERSE OR GOING FOR
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2000 Volvo S40. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, WATER CAN ENTER THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, CAUSING THE PUMP TO FAIL.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST AND AN INCREASE IN NEEDED BRAKE PEDAL FORCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PUMP WITH A NEW AND IMPROVED VERSION AND MOVE THE PUMP TO A NEW LOCATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 51 | average |
| Efficiency | 37 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 42 of them (31%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.