Volvo V40 1
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
200 PS
1.9L Turbo Benzin
Surprisingly sharp
Fun to Drive!Generations
Engine Overview
The Volvo V40 1 is available with 5 engine variants — from 105 to 200 hp. 1 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The Volvo 1.9L TDI (Diesel, 116 PS) has the D4192T3 (1.9L TDI) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
The Volvo 1.6L (Benziner, 105–109 PS) has the B4164S2 (1.6L) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.
The Volvo 1.8L (Benziner, 116 PS) has the B4184S2 (1.8L) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.
The Volvo 1.9L Turbo (Benziner, 163–200 PS) comes with 2 different engines: B4194T (1997–2000, Be Careful) und B4204T3 (2000–2004, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 1.9L Turbo!
The Volvo 2.0L (Benziner, 136–140 PS) has the B4204S2 (2.0L) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Front axle joints wear above average MOT inspectors flag worn ball joints and tie rod ends on the S40/V40 I front axle significantly more often than average. The cause is high structural loading on the axle components. Symptoms: Knocking over cobblestones, uneven front tyre wear, increasing steering play from 100,000 km | Low | |
| Rear springs sag and break The rear springs on the V40 I lose their pre-tension markedly with age. Broken springs are a frequent MOT failure reason — even without prior symptoms the spring can bottom out. Symptoms: Car sits low at the rear, scraping noise over bumps, rear bounces after road irregularities from 120,000 km | Low |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues
A total of 43 weaknesses have been documented for the Volvo V40 1 (1996–2004) — 32 engine-related and 11 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Suspension, Rust, Brakes, HVAC.
V40 (D4192T3, 2001–2004) — Be Careful: Timing belt change mandatory on interference engine, Turbocharger blades damaged, Injection pump wears prematurely. Power: 116 PS.
V40 (B4194T, 1997–2000) — Be Careful: Timing belt failure — total engine damage risk, Turbocharger shaft seals leak oil, Crankcase ventilation clogged. Power: 200 PS.
V40 (B4164S2, 1999–2004) — Be Careful: Timing belt tensioner wears prematurely, Plastic thermostat housing leaks, Injector connectors become brittle. Power: 105–109 PS.
V40 (B4184S2, 1999–2004) — Be Careful: Timing belt failure destroys engine, Elevated oil consumption from piston ring wear, Camshaft seals losing oil. Power: 116 PS.
V40 (B4204S2, 1999–2004) — Be Careful: Timing belt — interference engine with high total damage risk, Coolant hoses and connectors become brittle, Valve stem seals wear. Power: 136–140 PS.
V40 (B4204T3, 2000–2004) — Be Careful: Timing belt failure = total engine damage (interference engine), Turbocharger shaft seal wears at high mileage, Oil separator clogged — oil loss and pressure build-up. Power: 163 PS.
What to watch out for with the Volvo V40? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee