We purchased our 2000 V40 from the original owner at 81K. We needed both rear springs replaced right away. This was the second time they were replaced. Dealer said a common flaw with the V40. We are also noticing a shaking in the front end when accelerating between 50-60mph. Not sure what this is. Also noticing that there is a shake in the brake pedal and told need new brake pads and rotors. They were just replaced before we got the car at 75K and now car has 100K which is a all highway miles. We have also noticed difficulty with the braking system, sometimes trouble stopping and brakes squeal after sitting for a couple of days. Head lights and tail lights also have burnt out quite frequently. There also seems to be some major defect with the exterior paint. Rusting in many places and paint seems to be rubbing off at the touch. Luckily none of these have caused any accidents or close calls, however not very satisfied with this Volvo.

- Van Etten, NY, USA

Upon returning to the dealership for the third time for a complaint about a suspicious sounding thump or clunk in the passenger-side rear of our 2000 Volvo V40, it was discovered that both coil springs had broken. The vehicle at the time of repair has 50,080 miles on it; when the noise was first reported to the dealer on 12/09/04 the car had 37,448 miles. Both springs broke identically at the first coil where they sit in the base plate of the strut assembly. Both fractures are a spiral cut through the coils wire, like a fatigue or stress fracture. The dealer replaced the coils at my expense which included the extra cost of replacing both control arms and strut assemblies because of the difficulties they had removing the bolts due to corrosion ($1103). After my complaint, they offered to cover the cost of the springs only ($200) which allowed them to keep the springs. I persuaded the service advisor to allow me to have one piece of the spring for evidence. I have researched and found other owners who have had this exact failure in their vehicles suspension. I believe Volvo has an engineering flaw in the tempered steel coil springs.

- New Hartford, CT, USA