Car Accelerates On Its Own Problems of Volvo S40

Volvo S40 owners have reported 11 problems related to car accelerates on its own (under the vehicle speed control category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Volvo S40 based on all problems reported for the S40.

1 Car Accelerates On Its Own problem of the 2001 Volvo S40

Failure Date: 09/01/2011

The contact owns a 2001 Volvo S40. While attempting to park at approximately 1 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact was able to remove the key from the ignition to shut the engine off yet the failure recurred intermittently and the vehicle accelerated up to 80 mph. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 146,400.

See all problems of the 2001 Volvo S40 🔎.

2 Car Accelerates On Its Own problem of the 2000 Volvo S40

Failure Date: 04/12/2010

My 2000 Volvo S40 had another unintended acceleration episode on April 12, 2010 (I filed a previous complaint #10288666 in oct 2009). On the highway it would go 60 mph without depressing the gas pedal (and no it was not stuck and there was no floor mat in the way). The last time this occurred was six or seven months earlier. The ect sensor was replaced at that time. This last time the Volvo memphis dealership replaced the ect sensor and it has not occurred again. . . . . Yet. This was the third ect sensor replaced in about a year's time. I asked that Volvo corporate be involved to check out why this was happening. They had a field technician ride in the car with me and check it out. Basically they shared no reason for the recurrent replacement of the ect sensor and even though I continued to try to get an answer (and reimbursement for the repeat repairs). This is one of the emails I received from the Volvo investigator after their inspection and my continued dissatisfaction with not identifying a root cause ---- "[xxx] , I can certainly understand your disappointment in having to replace the same part three times. As stated, if the symptoms reoccur, please either contact me directly, or contact the service manager at Volvo of memphis, randy pearson, so that we may get been involved once again to review your concerns regarding your vehicle. To date, your vehicle is performing as designed. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to inspect your vehicle. Erica kirsch product investigation coordinator Volvo cars or north America" I am not interested in continuing to pursue this just because of repair costs I feel should be covered by Volvo. The symptoms I have repeatedly experienced are scary and a huge safety issue. I also saw an on complaint #10288666 filed on Feb 18 2010 that sounds like the same issue as mine. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2000 Volvo S40 🔎.

3 Car Accelerates On Its Own problem of the 2000 Volvo S40

Failure Date: 02/18/2010

Unintended acceleration occurred with car in drive. Car began to accelerate slowly increasing speed with foot off accelerator. Pulled up on accelerator with no results. Put car into neutral and rpm increased to 6000 rpm then back to 750 idle speed. Back into drive and engine accelerated again. Engine shut off via key then it wouldn't start again. Cranked but would not turn over. Dealer replaced ect because of failure of part.

4 Car Accelerates On Its Own problem of the 2000 Volvo S40

Failure Date: 10/09/2009

Unintended acceleration on my 2000 Volvo S40. Accelerating in traffic without pressing pedal. Must press brake hard to stop. Continues to rev high. This has happened twice in the last month. After the first time, my service shop replaced the idle air control valve but it occurred again about a week and a half after that. Service technician has indicated he cannot potentially diagnose unless it is occurring when he can drive and look at it. It is a serious risk for crash or injury.

5 Car Accelerates On Its Own problem of the 2001 Volvo S40

Failure Date: 08/21/2009

I'd like to report unintended acceleration in my Volvo S40. It started last summer and occurred sporadically until winter and has not occurred since then. No repairs were made during this time and I have not taken it to the dealer. Several times last summer I experienced sudden acceleration that required extra hard breaking to make the car come to a complete stop. The car seemed to be giving itself gas even while I was braking to come to a stop, requiring that I press the brake extra hard. This problems sounds similar to what we are hearing in the news about toyotas.

6 Car Accelerates On Its Own problem of the 2000 Volvo S40

Failure Date: 05/15/2008

The contact owns a 2000 Volvo S40. The contact stated that the vehicle would sporadically accelerate independently. The contact stated that the throttle was replaced in 2008 and the failure did not recur until 2010. Most recently, the contact was entering a parking lot when the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by shifting into park. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was informed that her model was not involved in any recalls therefore any repairs would be at her expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000 and the current mileage was approximately 98,000.

7 Car Accelerates On Its Own problem of the 2000 Volvo S40

Failure Date: 11/15/2005

Three times my daughter's 2000 Volvo S40 accelerated unexpectedly. Twice (on the same night) it almost pulled her into a busy intersection. The third time it happened to the service manger (jeff) at a local Volvo dealership. After two visits from a technician from Volvo it was determined that a temperature sensor had failed. This failure led to excess air being fed to the engine which in turn led to excess fuel being fed to the engine, which in turn accelerated the engine. Volvo replaced a temperature control sensor that operates the air slide in the engine on 12/7/05.

8 Car Accelerates On Its Own problem of the 2002 Volvo S40

Failure Date: 08/21/2003

While driving at a very low speed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The driver was able to stop the vehicle by pressing on the brake pedal really hard. The vehicle was towed to the dealer.

See all problems of the 2002 Volvo S40 🔎.

9 Car Accelerates On Its Own problem of the 2001 Volvo S40

Failure Date: 04/01/2002

The vehicle experienced sudden acceleration, while the brake was applied. The consumer had to shut off the engine, to stop the vehicle. *a.

10 Car Accelerates On Its Own problem of the 2000 Volvo S40

Failure Date: 12/10/2001

While slowing to a stop in a parking place (1-2mph), the vehicle suddenly accelerated. Within 2 seconds, the vehicle jumped the curb, spinning the front wheels fast enough to dig 2 deep troughs in the gravel, and crashed into a brick wall 10 feet beyond the original parking space. The passenger airbag deployed shattering the windshield. The driver suffers only minor soreness thanks to the short distance between the parking space and the wall. This is certainly a defect in the S40. Two other customer reports exist concerning a runaway throttle on the Volvo S40: 879358 & 878201.

11 Car Accelerates On Its Own problem of the 2000 Volvo S40

Failure Date: 07/01/2000

Vehicle will suddenly accelerate, and while trying to brake vehicle still accelerates.


Other Common Vehicle Speed Control related problems of Volvo S40

Problem Category Number of Problems
Vehicle Speed Control problems
28
Car Accelerates On Its Own problems
11
Accelerator Pedal problems
5
Cruise Control problems
1
Car Throttle Stuck problems
1
Speed Control Springs problems
1

Safety Ratings of S40 Cars
Fuel Economy of S40 Vehicles
S40 Service Bulletins
S40 Safety Recalls
S40 Defect Investigations