what cause the engine light to show on
My engen light just come on recently what could be a problem as i just got it serviced two months ago
890 views
2001 Volvo S40 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a review
Volvo has made several improvements to its entry-level S40 sedan for 2001. This second year of production brings additional safety features and a new five-speed automatic transmission. Aesthetic alterations include designed headlights, bumpers and fenders. Inside, the sedan receives a more user-friendly dash layout. Safety upgrades include head-protection airbags, dual-stage front airbags and child seat anchors.
The S40 is still only available in the STD trim, which includes most of the necessary amenities. Automatic climate control, an interior air filter, cruise control, cloth upholstery, a split folding rear seat, heated mirrors, full power accessories and remote keyless entry. Buyers can also add luxury items like a CD changer, leather upholstery, a power driver seat and sunroof.
The sedan houses a small but potent four cylinder engine. Displacing just 1.9 liters, the turbocharged four delivers 160 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. Power is directed to the front wheels through a new five-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the four-speed unit from the previous year. Fuel economy is slightly improved, up to 22/32 mpg.
Performance has also benefited from this upgrade. The S40 with the new transmission speeds from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, down half a second from the previous model's time. Test drivers report noticeable turbo lag through various points in the speed range, but 45-70 mph acceleration is much improved with the five-speed. The S40 has the sturdy feel of a larger Volvo, and the cabin is aptly protected road disturbances and outside noise. The steering and braking is incredibly responsive, and test drivers report that the S40 is well controlled at even higher speeds.
The S40 sedan finds some stiff competition, with similarly priced entry-level offerings from BMW, Mercedes and Lexus. Many reviewers feel that the Volvo's value in the class is below average, because of the underpowered engine and high cost of options.
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2001 Volvo S40
Write a reviewUser rating:
by George C
May 25, 2022
class,style, handling, power. comfortable driver seat this is a great car.May 25, 2022
by Katie B
Jan 04, 2014
It was my 2nd car ever, so I learned a lot about it. I drove it both in CO winters and FL summers, and monsoon season. It did pretty great across the board in all weather, though I am a pretty fantastic driver (i.e. I know how to drive in the snow.) Maintenance was all very easy, I never had anything happen to it other than regular oil changes, and it was a very versatile car. Except when I got it stuck on the beach because sand does not behave like snow, but some very nice guys pulled it out.Jan 04, 2014
by Anonymous
Jun 19, 2013
What more could you ask for? This is the a little more fun Volvo ( in my opinion ), which is sporty and fun to drive, 4 door sedan but with that sporty twist so it's more compact not like a full size sedan. You still get all the safety features however and just need to keep up regular maintenance and they go forever.Jun 19, 2013
User rating:
by George C
May 25, 2022
class,style, handling, power. comfortable driver seat this is a great car.May 25, 2022
by Katie B
Jan 04, 2014
It was my 2nd car ever, so I learned a lot about it. I drove it both in CO winters and FL summers, and monsoon season. It did pretty great across the board in all weather, though I am a pretty fantastic driver (i.e. I know how to drive in the snow.) Maintenance was all very easy, I never had anything happen to it other than regular oil changes, and it was a very versatile car. Except when I got it stuck on the beach because sand does not behave like snow, but some very nice guys pulled it out.Jan 04, 2014
by Anonymous
Jun 19, 2013
What more could you ask for? This is the a little more fun Volvo ( in my opinion ), which is sporty and fun to drive, 4 door sedan but with that sporty twist so it's more compact not like a full size sedan. You still get all the safety features however and just need to keep up regular maintenance and they go forever.Jun 19, 2013
by Anonymous
Jul 28, 2012
Mostly the looks of the car and its Turbo feel when I took off or needed to move quickly. The car never ceased to get approving comments. When I do use the highway, I can be as aggressive as I choose and the car responds immediately. Finally I always felt safe in this car. I have been the only owner. I will have to get a picture and post it. Jul 28, 2012
by Zach L
Nov 20, 2011
This is the second volvo I have owned. The first one was a Volvo 850. I was hit while stopped at a light by another car going 65 miles per hour and walked away without a scratch. Thus, why I purchased another Volvo. They are tanks of vehicles and extremely safe. The turbo is a huge plus to this vehicle and it handles the road amazingly well.Nov 20, 2011
by Steven M
Nov 04, 2011
have to say value for money GREAT! also picked mainly on saftey aspects and 3 point x3 in rear for kids and you don't get much safer! has more service history than most cars and bought of volvo fanatic so been well looked after!Nov 04, 2011
by John P
Nov 01, 2011
Been driving Lucy for three years. Ride could be a bit smoother at times,
but really a great car. Plenty of power. Performs when needed. Put about
1,600 dollars worth over the summer. Fun to drive. Hope to keep the car
for years to come Nov 01, 2011
by Jacob G
Aug 02, 2011
Suspension is really soft and when the wind blows so do you. But that's all things that can be changed, and will be in due time. It defintly takes off fast once the turbo kicks in. I love the sound of it spooling up and sneezing. I changed the air filter and i want to get intake piping. Aug 02, 2011
by Nico A
Aug 09, 2010
Acc around 9.5 seconds to 60 not an all out sports sedan but spirited because of the 1.9L Turbo.
Braking: Great
Handling: So so could be better.
It was a fun car to drive when it wasn't in the shop. Avoid the 2000-2001 model S40s, 2002-2004 were great solid build years.
Appearance: great on the outside, inside needs some work.
Cost of ownership: high, if id been without my extended warranty I would be toast. Maintenance as well as high as other luxury auto makers, go for a bimmer or benz if you don't mind paying the ridiculous $150hr rate they charged after I got rid of it.Aug 09, 2010
by Karen M
Feb 07, 2009
I love my car! it is great in the snow, the trunk holds
a lot of bags of groceries. THe leather interior as held
up beautifully. I love the sun roof for the summer and
the heated seats in the winter is a nice bonus. I feel
we got a great car for a great price. I feel very safe in
my Volvo and thats important to me because my son
is usually in the car with me.Feb 07, 2009
by Drew M
Sep 19, 2008
would like to have manual trans but its not sold in the states..so im gonna import one :)
i also wanna get a an air intake for it and a new exhaust..
recomend some wheels for me to get cause thats proli gonna be my first step
overall tho is pretty funSep 19, 2008
by Cole M
Aug 31, 2008
I have a great 2001 Volvo S40 1.9T. It has some wuickness to it and it also handles like a champ. The turbo is perfect for accelrating this heavy piece of machinery. Weighing in at almost 4,000 lbs, it is definanently a heavy car. But that is one of the things that make it one of the safest cars on the road. All in all, I LOVE MY CAR!MUYAug 31, 2008
by Brent R
Aug 29, 2008
I just happened upon this car one day on the internet and eventually I went and checked it out. We brought it home for a test drive and I didn't want to let it go. It's fully loaded sans the sport package, so its very luxurious. But for me its what's under the hood. The 1.9 liter is small but with the right turbo and chip you'd be looking at 600 or more hp. Right now i get like 26mpg, not bad, other than a bad o-ring for the turbo there have been no major repairs. I have added foglights and lowering springs which make it better all around. It's alot of fun to drive and driving it doesn't make you look like a dork, because it's a luxury car after all, not a sub-compact ricer. All in All I don't think i could have found a better car for the money.Aug 29, 2008
by Anonymous
Aug 27, 2008
great car, really peppy which surprised me for a volvo! all s40s (2001) have turbo engine. have had no problems at all with it! fun to drive, has a sunroof, leather interior. speakers could be better. overall, it's a great car... however, i'm considering selling it just to get a newer S40!!Aug 27, 2008
by Alex M
Aug 20, 2008
Has the most powerful brakes and fastest acceleration of any car I've driven or riden in. It has turbo so I can go 0 to 60 in 4 or 5 seconds. It handles great, I never get stuck in ice or snow, I never hydroplane, and I know if I hit anything I'll do more damage to it than it'll do to me. Looks great compared to the older models and then newer models - newer ones are ugly. Doesn't need to be maintained beyond the basics; looks newer than it is. VERY fun to drive.Aug 20, 2008
by Brendon G
Aug 06, 2008
IT RULES AND I PUT A NICE AMP AND SUB IN IT!! Brutal AC and awesome MPG Leather Seats Moon Roof. It was only 2,800 for my part. Very safe Car, has a 1.9L Turbo DOHC. it even has a seatbelt in the trunk. blah blah blah blah. I cant believe i have to write down more crap so this thing will submit.Aug 06, 2008
by Arturo M
Jul 30, 2008
Aceleracion, frenado, Se agarra, buen manejo, elegante pero no de ruco, 200 HP, turbo, es rojo, rines 17", neumaticos 215, gran cajuela, buen sonido, quemacocos, piel, bi xenon, en carretera increiblemente economico, despues de un clio un poco grande pero te acostumbras rapido (como a todo lo bueno), estoy contento con el.Jul 30, 2008
by Anonymous
Jul 11, 2008
My 2001 S40 1.9 Turbo is a very fun vehicle to drive. Overall performance is great. Braking and acceleration is surprising and it's build quality is good. The Volvo's appearance is attractive. Very luxurious car. Gas mileage is the best I've ever driven and maintenance is needed very rarely. Jul 11, 2008
by Anonymous
Jun 23, 2008
Cupholders suck in the 2k1.Jun 23, 2008
by Chris P
Jun 22, 2008
I love my VolvoJun 22, 2008
by Olivera R
Jun 17, 2008
Great!Jun 17, 2008
by Ross P
May 10, 2008
Volvo makes great vehicles, and they built this one like a tank. While it is small, it fits everything I can think of. It has an awful radio and air-conditioning, but they fixed it in the next version.May 10, 2008
by Evan G
Apr 07, 2008
Well I'm not really a volvo guy but it's safe and reliable. I have issues leaving
cars stock so I bought an intake, wheels, and a new grill for it. I plan on
making a new exhaust of for it this summer and putting coilovers on. It
will be one mean looking euro car in no time. Apr 07, 2008
by Declan W
Apr 04, 2008
...or a set of string-back driving gloves eitherApr 04, 2008
by Anonymous
Mar 17, 2008
I bought my car used at 70,000 miles. I put faith in the Volvo name even though I wasn't purchasing from a Volvo dealership. It had a good maintenance history- to my knowledge. Since My purchase (now at 75,000) I have had to replace the break pads and rotors and am now concerned that there is a transmission problem.Mar 17, 2008
by Balkir S
Dec 27, 2007
I bet you can not find a car more reliable than Volvo S40 rock solid like an American military hummer un bleivableDec 27, 2007
by Ege E
Dec 24, 2007
good car is volvo s40 2.0 tDec 24, 2007
by Anonymous
Sep 02, 2007
I brought this car the 2nd year after it came out. It lived up to the Volvo name including the high priced maintenance. I expect higher end vehicles to require more maintenance, however I found myself constantly taking it back to the dealer for shorted lights, check engine, or service light. Thankfully they were minor fixes, but annoying and time consuming nonetheless. Sep 02, 2007
What users have asked
Transmission
My 2001 S40 is at 75,000 miles and is beginning to hesitate when I accelerate. Does this car have a history of transmission problems at this mileage?
1640 views
car wont start making low rrr soun then click click soun and wont start what could this be
was driving and it shut off and wont start . tried to jump it off and it made a rattlein sound and then startef going click click but never started
2058 views
Computer
The computer is bad on my 2001 Volvo s40. Is it interchangeable with another 2001 Volvo s40?
152 views
volvo s40/se
gear shift stuck in park, arrow light was on , check engine light still on
17 views
Top Comparisons
Have you driven a 2001 Volvo S40?Compare this car
2001 Volvo S40 Pricing
Original MSRP
$24,175 to $24,175Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: power · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Roof
Moonroof: power
Seats
Front seat type: bucket · Heated: front seats · Upholstery: cloth
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent