2005 Volvo V50: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 18 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Vehicle stalled on highway at highway speed and rapidly lost speed and power steering. Restarting was very difficult and resulted in several failed starts and stalls. Trying to navigate to safety resulted in more stalling. Symptoms indicate a problem with the fuel pump. Checked with volvo and there is a safety recall for this model for the fuel pump electronic module, but that volvo limited the recall to only certain states while stating that the problem is due to salty wet conditions, which are present most every where on the east coast. Volvo excluded several east coast states.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo v50. While pulling out of the driveway and making a right turn, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The noise recurred periodically. In addition, when driving over a slight bump, the vehicle felt as if the bottom would detach. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician could not find a failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000. Updated 10/06/16*lj the consumer stated the problem was the right front engine mount. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2016
“Car has had poor steering and noise coming from the front end - repairs made to left front and right front - noise continues right front - repaired again and now in volvo of santa monica for 3rd repair to right front; all repairs involve suspension issues and part such as joints and wheel axel. Noises are when car is being driven especially turning right.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Driving on highway 880 'urgent electrical service ! With battery emblem light in red' came on in the center of the driver side dash gages; this blocked out the mileage left for gas... Car towed to dealer and to date this has not been properly repaired by selling dealer- this appeared again after negative battery cable replaced on 7/1/2013! Prior incident with water leaking in the car passenger side from under the glove box on to the passenger floor.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo v50. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, she attempted to accelerate but the vehicle would not respond. The contact stated that she depressed the accelerator pedal harder and the vehicle accelerated to 40 mph. The contact regained control of the vehicle and took it to a local mechanic for inspection. The mechanic stated that the electronic module pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and they stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08v033000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 155,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo v50. The contact stated that while exiting a parking space the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump and the central electrical module were defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 93,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2011
“The car hesitated on acceleration when I was getting on the highway and briefly stalled and the check engine light came. This has happened several times. I researched the issue and found a defective fuel pressure sensor is the cause. There are numerous reports of this on volvo related websites. The part in question is bosch #8699449 that was recalled for similar failures on volvo 60 series vehicles. After replacing the part with a new bosh part #31272732 the problem did not reoccur. This old part should be recalled on all volvos as it creates a real safety issue as the problem occurs during acceleration and could result in an accident. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2011
“1. The car, volvo v50 2005, was driven in a busy highway at 65 mph suddenly the speed dropped to 25 mph quickly. The dashboard started showing warning reduced engine performance. This was very dangerous when I had my children in the car in a busy highway. I searched in the web, reduced engine performance happens a lot in volvo vehicles. 2. Second instance, the car stalled out when the car was at 25 mph. 3. All the problems were related to malfunction engine control module (emc) sensor and fuel pressure regulator. *kb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2011
“Car breakdown required the following parts to be replaced - start control module, pump control module, fuel pressure sensor. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2010
“At highway speed and without warning, engine stopped and the check engine light came on. We were on a highway with narrow break-down lanes and were in significant peril, surrounding by single and double tractor-trailers in mountainous area on interstate-90 in western massachusetts. This event was truly terrifying. That there was no loss of life is sheer luck and immaterial. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, REOCCURRING, LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS SALTY-WET CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE (PEM) TO BECOME CORRODED INTERNALLY. THIS CAN CAUSE A FAULTY SIGNAL TO THE FUEL PUMP, RESULTING IN LOW OR NO FUEL PRESSURE TO THE ENGINE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PEM AND INSTALL IT IN A NEW LOCATION TO PREVENT CORROSION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH T5 TURBO ENGINES, THE POLYAMIDE TUBE IN THE FUEL LINE IS SENSITIVE TO THE EXTREME TEMPERATURES THAT MAY OCCUR IN THE AREA WHERE THE TURBO/EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS LOCATED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE FUEL LINE MATERIAL TO TEFLON FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
How other years compare
Check your exact V50 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Volvo V50 reliable?
NHTSA has 18 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Volvo V50. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 2005 Volvo V50 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.