Brake Disc Pads Problems of Volvo S40

Types of recurring issues with Volvo S40: headlights, driver front window motor, early brake pad wear. Headlight bulbs were replaced 2-3 times a year at consumer's cost. When brought to the attention of Volvo dealer they reported that it was probably due to lights being used during daylight. They check electrical and reported no issue. Had brake pad and rotor issued shortly after purchasing the vehicle. Volvo dealer reported Volvo rotors were built thin and soft. Cost of brake replacement was not covered under warranty as it was considered regular wear. Driver side window regulator has been replaced three times. First regulator was replaced in June 2005, then February 2006 and now may 2007. May 2007 regulator was at the cost of the consumer as warranty had expired and warranty on part only lasts 12 months even though there is an apparent problem.

See all problems of the 2002 Volvo S40 🔎.

I got new car in Nov 2003 of the year 2004 model. It feels like one has to put foot on brakes all the way to apply. It is progressively getting worse. In Dec 2005, while existing from highway we meet an accident as it did not stop where it was suppose to stop. Volvo dealer top the break fluid during maintenance. But did not solve the problem. We got new brake pads from Volvo dealer and changed along with brake discs in 2009. But, it did not solve the problem. In the morning, it will not break unless one has to put foot on pedal few times. Again in 2015 we got brake pads from other auto part shop of high quality but it does not solve the problem. In addition, I smell gas but could not locate any leak of fuel. Also, steering wheel is very hard and we took to Volvo few times but it is the same.

See all problems of the 2004 Volvo S40 🔎.

I own a 2000 Volvo S40. We just had our fifth trip to the dealer to correct knocking noise/rattle in the front suspension. Problem started at 44,191 miles. Now at 59,800. Two sets of control arm bushings and two sets of sway bar bushings replaced. Noise returns within 2000 mi of service. Also, I have had the rear brakes go out at 17,500 miles. Pads wore thin and cut into the rotors. That one cost $335. Also, air conditioner went out at 9000 miles. I paid the extra money to get a Volvo because I keep my cars for a long time. (I also own a 18 year old Audi 4000. ) I bought Volvo for one word: reliability. I have found that Volvo does not stand behind their products. This S40 is hugely expensive to maintain. I am making far too many trips to the dealer to keep trying to get defects fixed.

See all problems of the 2000 Volvo S40 🔎.

My 2001 Volvo S40 has a little over 16,000 miles. The front brake pads have been replaced 3 times, once by the dealer under warranty and twice at my expense. We also have another S40 in the household with the same problem of brakes needing replacement frequently. I have noticed allot of people on internet sites with S40's complaining of the same frequent brake replacement problem. I do believe there is some sort of brake pad defect or design defect on S40's. There is no reason why owners of these cars should be constantly replacing brake pads. Please check into this complaint for me and the thousands of other people with the same complaints.

See all problems of the 2001 Volvo S40 🔎.

I had my Volvo S40 into the dealer I bought it from (keystone, PA) 5 times for a squeak in the rear of the car. Each time we were told they couldn't locate the problem but they could hear the squeak. On the 6 visit they gave us a loaner and took the car for a couple of days and then called us and told us they found the problem. . . . The rear brakes needed to be replaced. All those visits and they just figured out it was the brakes plus the car only has 14,000 miles. What kind of small, light sports car needs rear brakes at 14,000. This car is only driven by my wife to her job that is about 5 miles away. After all this mess I will be trading in my S40 and never recommend or purchase a Volvo again. So much for Volvo's reputation. I read other people's complaints about the brakes on this site and it only strenghthen the consumers case about the brake problems.

While driving the consumer used a higher brake force than usual, resulting in extended stopping distance. The dealer replaced the pump at owner's expense of $800. 00. Maintenance record show that routine service including rear brake pads at 19580k miles, at 41416k miles, front pads at 28312k miles and was include in the repairs for incident 56739k miles.

I have Volvo S40 2000 which I purchased in October 1999. I brought my car to service regularly, it was serviced while in warranty by the royal motor sales who sold me this car. On the second service I have been told that my rear brakes completely worn out and they have to change not only brake pads but also rotors and something else, I ended up paying $1000+ for that "service". Interestingly enough I have been told at dealership that it is very common problem for my car kind to have rear brake pads wear out quickly and they have to be changed every 5000-7000 miles (no information on that in the owners manual, either nobody warned me about that on the first service, better yet they did not even checked rear brake pads nor tell me how much of it left). Now when my warranty is over I noticed very loud metallic banging noise that comes from under the hood. I took the car to independent Volvo mechanic since I do not trust dealer any more. Mechanic fixed actually 2 different parts that were making some noise. I paid $330 and took my car home, just to find that loud noise is still there when I was going over bumps in the road. I took my car back and mechanic ordered yet another part which only came 2 weeks later. Now my car is at the mechanic's who called and told me that there more parts to be changed and that his friend at dealership told him that it is very common warranty repair on my car kind. Well they got lucky in my case, I am over on my warranty by 2000 miles. But will I buy Volvo ever again? - no way!!! will I suggest to anyone to buy a Volvo? - only to someone I dislike!.

At 19,600 miles the rear brake pads wore out on my wife's 2001 S40 Volvo sedan. We were told by the dealer this is normal and that they have seen some S40s wear the rear brakes out as early as 12,000 miles. Based on a reasonable persons experience this is much too early for brake pads, especially the rear ones to be wearing. This must be a design defect and should be covered under warranty or better quality pads should be installed on the car. Searching the web I have this is a common complaint about S40s. Below is one example I found: 9th may 2002, 14:41 just had my Volvo rear brake pads replaced at less than 20,000 miles (at my cost!). At inspection the rear pads had 0% remaining, while the front still had 70%. When I told the dealer that this was unacceptable, they said "this is normal for the Volvo S40". So my response was, and still is, "if it is normal to have to replace brake pads on the Volvo S40 every 15,000 to 20,000 miles, then the the Volvo S40 is unacceptable". Volvo refused to cover this abnormal wear under warranty. Please register my complaint with Volvo and add this complaint to your growing list of product defects. Thanks.

I had the brakes serviced on my 2001 Volvo S40 at the Volvo dealer. At only 21,500 miles the rear brakes were grinding loudly. I complained to Volvo consumer services from their web page. They were not only not surprised at the rear brake failure at 21,500 miles, but said that they usually go out between 10k and 20k miles. The rear brakes on that vehicle are poorly designed, creating a potential accident hazard because of consumers' ignorance of their under-engineering. An american car would likely get as much as 80k miles out of the rear brakes, being replaced only the third time the front brakes are service. An american car company that is as obviously aware of a failure of this nature would likely have done a redesign and recall. The rear brake pads on the Volvo S40 are no bigger than those of a motorcycle. This is an unsafe vehicle and Volvo should be forced to recall them.

The vehicle was taken for an oil change when the consumer found out the rear brakes were completely gone. The rear brake pads and rotors had to be replaced. The total cost for all repairs were $545. 61. Also the seat belt had to be replaced.

The rear brake pads on my 2002 S40 Volvo wore out at about 21 thousand miles and ruined the rotor. According to Volvo corp. This is becasue the government is has prohibited them from using asbestos in the brake pads. Volvo put noise making "squealeres" on the inside pads but due to the design of the brakes the outside pads wear out first causing a rivit on the pad to contact the rotor and ruin it before the pads can be replaced. According to three Volvo service managers it is normal for the pads to wearout at between 15 and 20,000 miles. I have contacted Volvo of America by email on two occasions to advise them of the obvious problem with their brakes they advised me they could offer me no reimbursement for the premature brake failure and would file the information .

Rear brake pads needed replacement at 13,500 miles. This is unusually early and when I stated that I was upset Volvo said "they were having problems with the S40 pads being too soft. " although, they still made me pay for the replacement. They said Volvo was making the new pads better but because it was too early they did not know how long they would be lasting.

The rear brake pads are wearing prematurely and had to be replaced at 12500 miles. The dealer says this is typical of this model, and that they are to small. It costs $135 each time these have to be replaced. I believe this could be a safety issue since the rear brake pads could fail much at relativly low mileage.

Rear left brake pads worn through at 26,000 miles. I have also been informed this situation is normal although it seems hard to believe that pads can be worn on cars this quickly. I have followed their maintenance requirements also. In addition, I live over 100 miles from my nearest dealer and replacement pads are not available through automotive parts stores.

While traveling approximately 30 to 40 mph applied pressure to brake pedal in an effort to stop vehicle, but brake system failed to respond for approximately 6 to 7 seconds. Dealership has examined vehicle and replaced rear discs and brake pads. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

We purchased this Volvo s 40 on June 22, 2000 and have already had to replace the front and rear brake pads although the vehichle has less than 30,000 miles on it. The rear rotors had to be replaced as well due to the rear pads wearing out completely in approximately 22,000 miles. Our understanding is that the brake pads on most vehicles last approximately 50,000 miles or more. When we complained, we were told by union park maintenance and sales that the brake pads on the Volvo s 40 are not expected to last more than 15,000 to 20,000 miles. My husband and I consider this premature brake pad degredation to be built-in obsolence and expect better from Volvo. When we addressed our complaint to a sales manager at union park we were told to "get in line" with other s 40 owners, leading us to believe this is a widespread problem. To date, Volvo has not acknowledged the problem or our complaint.

Consumer had to replace two rear brake pads after 10230. In addition, headlights burned out and needed to be replaced. Power steering wheel shaft. Ph.