Does the 2001 Volvo S40 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2001 Volvo S40, the most recent reported on August 1, 2003 (Equipment: other, labels). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volvo S40?

Owners have filed 84 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (25 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (12).

How many 2001 Volvo S40 complaints mention a crash or fire?

11 of 84 complaints report a crash and 4 a fire; 5 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2001 Volvo S40 recalls and problems

2 recalls and 84 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Volvo S40.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2001 Volvo S40 recalls

Equipment: other, labels

NHTSA campaign 03V284000 · reported August 1, 2003 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 220,407 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The fix: 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. Owner notification began on december 19, 2003. Owners should contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

Equipment: appliance, air conditioner

NHTSA campaign 01V169000 · reported May 21, 2001 · VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC. · 19,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Vehicle description: sedan and wagon passenger vehicles. A diode in the electronic climate control system may have a reduced service life.
The risk: If the diode fails, the heater fan stops operating and the defroster function is affected.
The fix: 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Service brakes, hydraulic25
Engine and engine cooling12
Electrical system10
Vehicle speed control9
Air bags7
Engine5
Structure5
Visibility5
Exterior lighting4
Power train4

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jul 16, 2020 · Structure · 15,000 miles · fire reported
ME AN MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR AN IT STARTED TO RUN HOT SO WE WENT AN GOT THE PART TO GO ON THE CAR AN WHEN WHEN WE GOT BACK TO MY FATHER IN LAW HOUSE THE CAR CUT OFF AN STARTED TO SMOKE REAL BAD THEN WENT INTO FLAMES AN WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE CAR WE GOT EVERYTHING FIX ON IT AN THEN WHEN YOU PLUG THE MONTIOR TO…

Aug 13, 2019 · Fuel/propulsion system
I BOUGHT A 2001 VOLVO S40 FROM TOM BLEVINS OWNER OF POPPLES GARAGE. THE ODOMETER QUIT WORKING AS SOON AS I BOUGHT IT. THE KEY WOULD GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WOULD HAVE TO BE LEFT IN THE IGNITION. THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW GOT STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION BECAUSE OF A FAULTY CONTROLLER. THE HOOD HYDRAULIC ARM THAT…

Jun 6, 2019 · Electrical system · 67,000 miles
IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN PAST POSITION 2 ALLOWING FOR ENGINE STARTING. THE VEHICLE WITH STATIONARY IN PARK.

Aug 7, 2016 · Electrical system · 190,000 miles · crash reported
I'VE CONTACTED VOLVO AND DEMANDED MY MONEY BACK AND THEY REFUSED, THIS IS MY NEXT STEP BEFORE TAKING THEM TO COURT FOR A MEASILY 2,500. THIS CAR HAS CAUSED ME A HEADACHE UNLIKE ANY OTHER, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS IN THIS CAR AND PASSES THROUGH IT MALFUNCTIONING ONE THING AFTER THE NEXT, MY BACK WINDOW WENT UP AND…

Jan 12, 2016 · Engine · 93,000 miles · fire reported
CAR CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING AS I WAS DRIVING IT. CAR HAD 93,000 AND HAD PASSED VA INSPECTION IN AUGUST. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED 911. BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED 3 MINUTES LATER, ENTIRE ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN LARGE FLAMES. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEVER INDICATED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING HOT. USAA REMOVED…

S40 model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	1	122	12	1
2001	2	84	11	4
2002	1	27	4	0
2003	2	18	0	1
2004	6	48	5	1

Across all years, the 2000 S40 has the most complaints (122). All Volvo S40 years →

Questions

Does the 2001 Volvo S40 have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2001 Volvo S40, the most recent reported on August 1, 2003 (Equipment: other, labels). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volvo S40?: Owners have filed 84 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (25 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (12).
How many 2001 Volvo S40 complaints mention a crash or fire?: 11 of 84 complaints report a crash and 4 a fire; 5 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 16, 2020.