Major Problems with Volvo V50 Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Volvo V50 to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

Volvo V50 complaint overview

41 recorded complaints across model years
Years covered 2005–2011
Most recorded categories ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (6), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6)
Highest recorded count 18 in 2005

Complaint counts are reports, not confirmed defect rates. Older model years have had more time to accumulate reports, and sales volume and reporting coverage differ by year. A higher count does not by itself make a year the least reliable, and these figures are not a failure probability.

Compare two model years

Year A Year B

Problem category

Volvo V50 FlawScore

Best and Worst Years for Volvo V50

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Volvo V50.

Model Year	Complaints
2011 V50	2
2010 V50	2
2009 V50	2
2007 V50	6
2006 V50	11
2005 V50	18

Worst 3 Volvo V50 complaints

2005 Volvo V50 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Victims: 1 Mileage: 50000 miles

2005 Volvo V50 ENGINE

2005 Volvo V50 ENGINE Mileage: 48000 miles

Browse Volvo V50 complaints by category

Problems with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and ENGINE are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Volvo V50 owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM failure to notify owners of a potentially deadly known defective part that results in massive corrosion of electronics and cem...	7 ~ 44543 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER ignition key/engine immobilizer experienced a intermittent failures ("key error" on dashboard display) and inability to start engine. a replacement of...	6 ~ 44366 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM my volvo just shut off in traffic on rt 95 in dc. the check engine light came on and vehicle...	6 ~ 134000 miles
SUSPENSION the car began making howling noises when turning right. the noises were coming from the right front wheel area. the...	5 ~ 49900 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING oil pan failure leading to oil leak. this was caused by oil pan impact on road while traversing a slight...	4 ~ 35350 miles
STEERING issue: car would not start and "steering locked please try again" error message was displayed. the wheel is not locked...	3 ~ 67500 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE car breakdown required the following parts to be replaced - start control module pump control module fuel pressure sensor. *tr...	3 ~ 65333 miles
ENGINE car was parked for about 1 hour inside the garage when it caught fire. no explanations....	2 ~ 55098 miles
WHEELS both front wheel bearings had to be replaced after low mileage and just past warranty. failure of bearings lead to...	2 ~ 39000 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the car hesitated on acceleration when i was getting on the highway and briefly stalled and the check engine light...	2 ~ 75500 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN on december 3 2005 the car (a volvo v50 2006 with approximately 2000 miles) was being driven in a residential...	2 ~ 26000 miles
SERVICE BRAKES i had the brake pads replaced then the pump only to not be able to stop the car because of...	1 ~ 50100 miles
AIR BAGS 2006 volvo v50. consumer writes in regards to vehicle airbag system. *smd the consumer stated the air bag light illuminated...	1
UNDERBODY SHIELDS > FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE failure to notify owners of a potentially deadly known defective part that results in massive corrosion of electronics and cem...	1 ~ 68302 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1. the car volvo v50 2005 was driven in a busy highway at 65 mph suddenly the speed dropped to...	1 ~ 48000 miles
STRUCTURE sun roof drains disconnect resulting in water being blown into car under drivers and passenger seats. *tr...	1
POWER TRAIN on 2010 volvo v-50 we just bought my wife does not have any trouble switching her right foot from accelerator...	1 ~ 38 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC on 2010 volvo v-50 we just bought my wife does not have any trouble switching her right foot from accelerator...	1 ~ 38 miles
VISIBILITY/WIPER 3 separate issues: 1. electrical: power windows and power locks sporadically stop working. this started happening around march of 2011....	1 ~ 30000 miles
CHILD SEAT took car seats to pacific safety council to check proper installation of two car seats. technician found granddaughters seat (base)...	1
BASE (INFANT) > CHILD SEAT took car seats to pacific safety council to check proper installation of two car seats. technician found granddaughters seat (base)...	1
BODY > STRUCTURE oil pan failure leading to oil leak. this was caused by oil pan impact on road while traversing a slight...	1
TIRES slow leak left rear passenger tire. *tr...	1 ~ 10300 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES sudden flat (not blowout) left rear. tire unrecoverable. *tr...	1
SIDEWALL > TIRES side wall bubble leading to low speed (<10 mph) blowout. *tr...	1
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS the 2005 volvo v50 with 22 000 miles did not perform as i felt it should when i applied the	1 ~ 20000 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL the v50 t5 began to shake and tremble when started and placed in reverse. driver thought the car had a...	1 ~ 7169 miles
INJECTORS > FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE the v50 t5 began to shake and tremble when started and placed in reverse. driver thought the car had a...	1 ~ 7169 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2005 volvo v50 has a chronic light problem ie the dim light setting does not provide enough light to drive...	1 ~ 5 miles

FAQ

What year Volvo V50 is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 6 years, Volvo V50 models of 2011, 2010, 2009 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Volvo V50?

Volvo V50 models of 2005 and 2006 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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