Volvo V50 Problems by Year
Volvo V50 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical V50 year: 2005, 2006. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2005 V50: 18 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2006 V50: 12 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2007 V50: 6 complaints, 2 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Volvo V50 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Power Train | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Volvo V50 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 V50 | 2 | 1 | — | Unknown or Other | |
| 2010 V50 | 2 | 3 | — | Power Train | |
| 2009 V50 | 2 | 3 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2008 V50 | 0 | 3 | — | — | |
| 2007 V50 | 6 | 2 | — | Tires | |
| 2006 V50 | 12 | 3 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2005 V50 | 18 | 3 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2004 V50 | 0 | 2 | — | — |
More from Volvo: all Volvo models · Volvo VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo V50 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2005 (18), 2006 (12) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical V50 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Volvo V50?
Electrical System, with 7 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the Volvo V50 have?
8 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.