FaultScore

Volvo WIA vs BMW 535XI

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Volvo WIA BMW 535XI
Complaints on file 91 223
Model years covered 1989–1999 2007–2013
Worst model year 1996 2008
Best model year 1997 2012
Crashes reported 0 1
Fires reported 1 12
Injuries reported 1 6
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Suspension Engine & Cooling
Share of complaints involving harm 2.2% 8.5%

Volvo WIA by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Suspension 20 22.0%
Electrical System 14 15.4%
Transmission & Drivetrain 12 13.2%
Engine & Cooling 7 7.7%
Body & Structure 7 7.7%
Steering 6 6.6%
Equipment & Accessories 6 6.6%
Brakes 5 5.5%

BMW 535XI by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 31 13.9%
Airbags 21 9.4%
Transmission & Drivetrain 18 8.1%
Tires 18 8.1%
Lights 14 6.3%
Wheels 13 5.8%