Service brakes
Free remedy
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, WATER CAN ENTER THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, CAUSING THE PUMP TO FAIL.
Research · Small Station Wagons
2000 Volvo V40Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 50 owner complaints for the 2000 Volvo V40. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (23) and engine and engine cooling (10). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Nov 2003
Owner complaints
50
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
50 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2000 – Jul 2011
- Service brakes, hydraulic23
- Engine and engine cooling10
- Suspension7
- Electrical system5
- Vehicle speed control4
- Exterior lighting4
- Power train2
- Steering2
- Wheels2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Service brakes, hydraulic
23 reports1 crash
“BRAKES FAILED COMING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. ABLE TO STOP CAR BY USING EMERGENCY BRAKE. COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. BROUGHT TO BE SERVICED. MECHANIC REPORTED THAT IT WAS FAILED LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE DUE TO SPRING SUPPORT RUBBING THROUGH. THIS HOSE HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. MECHANIC ALSO REPORTED THAT RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF SAME REASON. AN APPOINTMENT FOR THIS HAS BEEN SCHEDULED AND PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. HE FEELS THIS WILL BE A DESIGN ISSUE. *TR”
Engine and engine cooling
10 reports
“2000 VOLVO V40 - VERY WELL MAINTAINED, 2ND OWNER, APPROXIMATELY 83,000 MILES. I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE CAR WOULD SURGE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE A/C ON AND WHEN I HAD STEADY PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR (I.E. ICRUISING AT A STEADY SPEED). THE SURGE IN RPM'S WOULD BE RHYTHMIC, VERY SUBTLE (100-200 RPMS) AND CONTINUE INDEFINITELY UNTIL I TURN THE A/C OFF - AT WHICH TIME THEY WOULD CEASE. THEY WOULD SOMETIMES RESUME WHEN I TURNED THE A/C COMPRESSOR BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED INFREQUENTLY OVER THE PAST MONTH (IT'S JUNE IN CT, MY STATE OF RESIDENCE) AND WOULD NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME I RAN THE A/C - BUT ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE A/C COMPRESSOR WAS RUNNING. THEN A REMARKABLE THING HAPPENED TODAY - WHILE CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITH THE A/C COMPRESSOR ON - THE CARE SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY SURGED IN A WAY THAT IT HAD NEVER DONE PREVIOUSLY. THE INCREASE IN RPM'S WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT INTO THE NEXT LOWEST GEAR. FORTUNATELY, I HAD ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN MY CAR AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO ALLOW ME TIME TO RESPOND WITHOUT HAVING AND ACCIDENT. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE RPM'S STARTED SPIKING TO ALMOST 4,000 THEN…”
Suspension
7 reports
“FAILURE OF UPPER STRUT MOUNT BUSHINGS CAUSING LOSS OF SUSPENSION / STEERING. REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME ON 2000 V-40 VOLVO. RECENTLY VOLVO OFFERED A NEWLY DESIGNED HEAVY DUTY MOUNT AT THREE TIME THE REPLACEMENT COST DEMONSTRATING THAT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MOUNT WAS SEVERELY UNDER DESIGNED. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Small Station Wagons
- Engines
- 1.9L 4-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Automatic 4-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V40 Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.9 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,800 | 423 |
- 21mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Volvo V40 as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2000 V40 questions
How many recalls does the 2000 Volvo V40 have?
1 safety recall as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2000 Volvo V40 problems?
Owners filed 50 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (23), engine and engine cooling (10), suspension (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2000 Volvo V40 get?
The EPA rates the 2000 Volvo V40 at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026