Hi!

I'm new here on these forums, but I come seeking answers and others experiences.

I bought my S40 back in the summer of 05 after selling my family's 1993 940 stationwagon that served us so well for so long.

The issue that I'm looking for help with is that my freakin' car's roof has leaked 3 times since I purchased it, been repaired 4 times under warranty, once charging me an hour of labor fees, and I'm just really displeased with how Volvo is handling it.

More specifically, the front two pillars have clogged each time, filling the floor of the cabin with water, most recently causing rust damage and requiring the cabin carpet to be replaced. Every time they have said that it was debris that blocked up the drains, causing the flood, but I do not park under a tree, and in fact park over 200-500 feet from any trees at all, even though my car has been parked outside, usually under a covering. The most recent time, the service manager told me that through use of the sunroof (which I hardly ever use) I jammed debris into the drains causing a catastrophic flood in my car, causing it to smell at first like an animal died in my car.

I just don't get it. My 1993 volvo stationwagon worked great for me for 130,000+ miles, and it had a sunroof and drains, however they never had a problem in ALL the years we had it. I guess maybe some Ford was put into the S40s :(

I spoke to the service advisor about other instances of this and he said he's seen it now and then in almost all of the new volvo line. I asked how they keep the lot cars from leaking while they're under trees and that build up tons of debris, and he said they just wash the cars once a week and clean the drains and such. That's insane. I was once told by a different dealership's service manager to not use my car outside.... I said "you mean I can't use my car outside," and he said "yup." Que double-take....

So if anyone has heard of this problem, or has any suggestions on what to do, please let me know.

Sounds like dealer double talk. I also have a '05 and were I live we've experienced one of the wettest years on record. It has rained like crazy, yet my S40 sits outside all the time and there have been no problems with sunroof leaks at all. Quite simply, the car was expressly designed and extensively tested to not leak. However, since it is leaking, something clearly is wrong it and the dealer needs to fix it - not give you weak excuses.

If another dealership is near you, I would consider visiting them for their take on resolving the matter. If you don't get satisfaction with them then plan on escalating the issue to Volvo USA.

You should call Volvo Customer Care (1-800-458-1552) and explain your issues to them. They should be able to help you; I’ve never had to call them, but I’ve heard that they have helped people out a lot.

I'm not sure of the lemon laws where you live but in NY, if you have to have your car serviced multiple times for the same problem they have to cut you a check for the full amount you paid for the car. I would really look into this if i were you and just get a brand new car

Yep look into the lemon laws. If a car is purchased in California you have lots of power to get all your money back plus repair bills, plus any rental car cost, plus attorney fees. I have a friend that is making a great living going after Ford for F250D owners.

Thank you all very much for your help.

I apologize for not responding back sooner as I just put another 1000 miles on my car driving across the state of FL. BTW the car is registered and was bought in FL. The lemon law to my understanding is 2 years in this state, and I had 3 repairs done in that time period, however it is past that period now, however I'm going to see what I can do with it regardless. I'm going to send a certified letter this week to Volvo corporate because over the phone they have not been very helpful, basicly giving myself and my mother (who the car is registered to) the cold shoulder, to the point of them "yelling" at her when she said that she wanted a new car in response to their "how should we fix it" question.

I'm glad to see that it isn't a common problem with anyone else, as it really really sucks.

On my drive it rained like hell out, however the car didn't leak the whole way. However after all the rain, I pulled into Tallahassee at 11:59PM, after not being in any rain for about 30 minutes or so, and a drip landed on my gas foot (I wear sandals a lot in FL). I was about to scream. I couldn't find where it came from, and I'm desperately hoping that it was a sheer fluke. Perhaps some statistical improbability of a drop of water flinging from one of the other 4 people in the car, or maybe spittle or something. Regardless I'm still worried.

I'll still keep following this thread, and thanks again to all those who made suggestions :)

Anyway I called Volvo and spoke with them today. They flat out told me that the car was out of lemon law warranty because of date even though the repairs were within date.

They said with a heavy hint of "I don't care" and a dash of sarcasm, "Well what do you want?" I replied "A car that doesn't leak" and nothing. She didn't even answer. Just sat there in silence until I said... Okay, at least an extension on the warranty since it's a factory problem and has been every time it was repaired. She said she'd forward the case to the regional director for my area and he'll review the case. When he's back from his week long vacation that started today.

I'm far too nice to these people because that's how I am, and I know they're going to tell me to bend over and take it up the arse and that this issue as well as any other I've had with my car was clearly my fault because I don't take good enough care of my car. The best was the suggestion of the service manager at Maroone Volvo in Delray Beach FL telling me that I can't use my car outside, as it will clog the drains and make my car leak. That one was a gem.

So I ended up talking with volvo a bunch, and finally they agreed to extending my warranty with a deductible. No compensation for all the times in the shop, but i can't complain much as they were very timely with their repairs (all under 1 week).

Glad to hear there was at least something. Thanks for updating us.

The s40 with sunroofs can have issues with the drain tubes clogging up, it does happen! At the bottem of the drain tubes they can become kinked/twisted making them block easy, perhaps the repairer is only blowing them out and not looking further into the problem for a 100% fix. Also at the very end of the drain tubes there is a restriction designed in that is like the pipe closing on itself, a litle trim of these flaps would be advised.

Raydar can you point us to where the drain tubes end, I'd like to check mine out but have no idea where to look?

sure m8 they end behind the skuttle panel (the plastic panel that the wiper shafts come through). The ends only just come down below the windscreen so you will need to look carefully at each side of the car to find them. Alarm siren will prob be in the way on one side.