20.4% of complaints about the 2000 Volvo V40 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2000 vehicle — around the middle of the 213 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 3.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is service brakes, hydraulic (16 complaints), typically at 2.7 yr or about 29,000 miles.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, WATER CAN ENTER THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE VACUUM PUMP, CAUSING THE PUMP TO FAIL.
THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST AND AN INCREASE IN NEEDED BRAKE PEDAL FORCE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
BRAKES NOT DEPRESSING, HAPPENED ON OUR CAR AND ON THE LOANER WE HAVE FROM VOLVO TWICE IN THE LAST WEEK. THE ENGINE: A BLACK PUFF OF SMOKE CAME OUT THE BACK, THE OIL LIGHT FLASHED ON AND THE ENGINE LOCKED BEFORE I COULD PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THERE WAS NOT ELECTRICAL WARNING AND NO PHYSICAL WARNING (LEAKING OIL ETC.).
WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND TRYING TO PULL INTO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, AND THEY DEPRESSED ABOUT 1 INCH. WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP. HAD TO TAKE FOOT OFF BRAKES, THEN SLAMMED ON THEM, AND VEHICLE STOPPED. ALSO, STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF, AND ENGINE DIED FOR A BRIEF MOMENT, AND THEN FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. *AK
I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY BRAKES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. WHEN I USE THE CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A WHILE, IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES AREN'T WORKING. YOU HAVE TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL FURTHER AND HARDER THAN NORMAL FOR THE CAR TO STOP. AFTER A FEW BRAKE APPLICATIONS, THE BRAKES APPEAR TO WORK NORMALLY. *AK