Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2006 Volvo V50
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Fuel & Propulsion
422.2%
Median failure at 129,500 miles
Other & Unspecified
316.7%
Median failure at 196 miles
Suspension
211.1%
Median failure at 44,250 miles
Electrical System
211.1%
Median failure at 30,000 miles
Wheels
15.6%
Median failure at 5,000 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.6%
Median failure at 30,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.6%
Median failure at 7,169 miles
Steering
15.6%
Median failure at 58,500 miles
Airbags
15.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.6%
Median failure at 2,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
15.6%
Median failure at 196 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
214.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
428.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
321.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
214.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
321.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2005peak 3Jan 2025
Recalls on the 2006 Volvo V50
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201039687 units in Canada
Accessories
On certain vehicles, there is a possibility of overheating issues of batteries in the Garmin nüvi® 760 when certain batteries manufactured within a limited date code range are used in certain Garmin nüvi® 760 models with a specific printed circuit board (PCB) design. The interaction of these factors can, in some circumstances, increase the possibility of overheating, which may lead to a fire. Correction: Dealers will direct customers who have an affected unit to the Garmin Web site, which explains how to verify if their units are involved and includes procedures to follow for product exchange.
Recall 20080234,639 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, insufficient sealing of the Fuel Pump Electronic Module may lead to water ingress corrosion, possibly causing the unit to fail. This may result in increased, decreased, or loss of fuel pressure. Engine stalling would result in lost propulsion which, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace and relocate the Fuel Pump Electronic Module.
Recall 20060941,290 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles the fuel line near the turbo/exhaust manifold may be damaged due to excessive heat. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. Correction: Dealers will replace the fuel line with a Teflon line.
Recall 200606614,000 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Certain Volvo 850, S40, V40, V50, V70, XC70 and XC90 equipped with integrated child booster cushions were incorrectly labelled during vehicle assembly. The label indicates that the booster cushion can be used for children weighing between 15 and 36 kg (33 and 80 lb). CMVSS 213 states that the minimum weight for use must be 18 kg (40 lb). Should an underweight child be placed in the booster cushion and the vehicle is involved in a crash, the child may have a greater risk of injury. Correction: Volvo Canada will send a letter to owners explaining this problem and will supply updated weight limit decal to be applied to each side window.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Spring City, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The seller tampered with the odometer, my mechanic found the codes stored in the car and printed the evidence out for me. I can provide it if need be and I have the sellers facebook account. Please let me know if there is anything else you need.
NHTSA complaint #11638417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesTrappe, MD
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR IT STALLS OUT ON ME ALL THE TIME.. I AM AN 88 YEAR OLD WOMAN WHO HAS ONE CAR FOR MYSELF MY GREAT GRAND DAUGHTER WHO IS 15 AND MY SON WHO IS 50. THIS IS EXTREMELY SCARY BECAUSE I HAVE TO GET ON HIGHWAY 50 TO GET TO ANY STORES. IT HAS STALLED OUT ON ME 4 TIMES IN ONE TRIP BEFORE AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT CAN TAKE OVER AN HOUR TO RESTART, OTHER TIMES IT MAY TAKE A FEW MINUTES. I AM DESPERATE FOR SOME HELP. BY ME USING ME OWN CAR I AM ENDANGERING NOT ONLY MY FAMILY BUT OTHERS. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME.
NHTSA complaint #11000792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesTrappe, MD
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I AM 88 YEARS OLD AND DEPEND ON THIS VEHICLE ( OUR ONLY VEHICLE) AS MY TRANSPORTATION FOR MYSELF MY SON AND MY 15 YEAR OLD GREAT GRAND DAUGHTER. MORE TIMES THAN I CARE TO REMEMBER THIS CAR HAS STALLED OUT ON ROUTE 50, WHERE I WAS TRAVELING 50 TO 55 MILES AN HOUR. I LIVE ABOUT 1 HOUR AWAY FROM OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. EACH TIME IS TERRIFYING. SOMETIMES IT ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES TO RESTART AND THEN THERE ARE TIMES WHERE IT HAS TAKEN OVER AN HOUR. THE LATEST EVENT WAS 6/14/2017. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR A YEAR. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN IN MOTION. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW TIMES WHEN IT DID NOT START FOR A WHILE BUT IT IS TERRIFYING WHEN IT STALLS OUT ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10995236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Demarest, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I DOVE MY CAR IN THE MORNING WHEN STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF STREET AND CALL TO AAA FOR TOWING TO FIX I BROUGHT THE ALTERNATOR I THINK THE WAS FIXED BUT I PUT THE NEW BATTERY DECEMBER 3 STILL MY CAR MAKE SOME NOISE I THINK IS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BUT I DISCOVER HAS LEEK INSIDE THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK AND FRONT IS LIKE POOL I REALLY UPSET AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY I HAVE TO SPENT TO FIX, AND I DON'T WHAT PLACE KNOWS TO FIX
NHTSA complaint #10929780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Demarest, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I DOVE MY CAR IN THE MORNING WHEN STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF STREET AND CALL TO AAA FOR TOWING TO FIX I BROUGHT THE ALTERNATOR I THINK THE WAS FIXED BUT I PUT THE NEW BATTERY DECEMBER 3 STILL MY CAR MAKE SOME NOISE I THINK IS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BUT I DISCOVER HAS LEEK INSIDE THE PASSENGER SIDE BACK AND FRONT IS LIKE POOL I REALLY UPSET AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY I HAVE TO SPENT TO FIX, AND I DON'T WHAT PLACE KNOWS TO FIX
NHTSA complaint #10929780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 196 milesConcord, NC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FIRST THE RADIATOR OVER FLOW IS PLASTIC N CORRODED LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID SECOND THE CENTER COUNSEL GOES BAD WHERE YOU CAN NOT CONTROL THE AIR NOR HEAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IT GETS SO HOT IT BURNS YOUR FEET MAKING IT VERY UNBEARABLE, THE AIR STOPS WORKING ON DRIVERS SIDE
NHTSA complaint #10870497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 196 milesConcord, NC
ENGINE
FIRST THE RADIATOR OVER FLOW IS PLASTIC N CORRODED LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID SECOND THE CENTER COUNSEL GOES BAD WHERE YOU CAN NOT CONTROL THE AIR NOR HEAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IT GETS SO HOT IT BURNS YOUR FEET MAKING IT VERY UNBEARABLE, THE AIR STOPS WORKING ON DRIVERS SIDE
NHTSA complaint #10870497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naples, FL
AIR BAGS
2006 VOLVO V50. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIRBAG SYSTEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND IT READ "SRS AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT". THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS THE SECOND TIME, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FIRST TIME, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED, BUT THE REMEDY ONLY LASTED FOR A FEW THOUSAND MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10587980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 119,000 milesWest Milford, NJ
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY VOLVO JUST SHUT OFF IN TRAFFIC ON RT 95 IN DC. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I RESEARCHED THE RECALL FOR VOLVO FUEL SYSTEMS AND THE DEALER SAID I WAS NOT IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH MY YEAR, STATE AND I HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM. VERY FRUSTRATING. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10510215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
SUSPENSION
3 SEPARATE ISSUES: 1. ELECTRICAL: POWER WINDOWS AND POWER LOCKS SPORADICALLY STOP WORKING. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND MARCH OF 2011. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND DOES NOT MATTER IF THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR NOT. 2. SUSPENSION: AFTER ONLY 33,000 MILES OF DRIVING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MILD WEATHER, SEVERAL PARTS OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM ARE BROKEN, INCLUDING THE STRUTS, CONTROL ARMS, AND ENGINE MOUNT. 3. VISIBILITY: SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I HAVE EXPERIENCE POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE FRONT DASH REFLECTING IN THE WINDSHEILD. THIS IS ESPECIALLY BOTHERSOME DURING SUNNY WEATHER, WHICH IS NEARLY EVERY DAY WHERE I LIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10471794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 SEPARATE ISSUES: 1. ELECTRICAL: POWER WINDOWS AND POWER LOCKS SPORADICALLY STOP WORKING. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND MARCH OF 2011. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND DOES NOT MATTER IF THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR NOT. 2. SUSPENSION: AFTER ONLY 33,000 MILES OF DRIVING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MILD WEATHER, SEVERAL PARTS OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM ARE BROKEN, INCLUDING THE STRUTS, CONTROL ARMS, AND ENGINE MOUNT. 3. VISIBILITY: SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I HAVE EXPERIENCE POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE FRONT DASH REFLECTING IN THE WINDSHEILD. THIS IS ESPECIALLY BOTHERSOME DURING SUNNY WEATHER, WHICH IS NEARLY EVERY DAY WHERE I LIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10471794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
3 SEPARATE ISSUES: 1. ELECTRICAL: POWER WINDOWS AND POWER LOCKS SPORADICALLY STOP WORKING. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND MARCH OF 2011. THIS HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND DOES NOT MATTER IF THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR NOT. 2. SUSPENSION: AFTER ONLY 33,000 MILES OF DRIVING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MILD WEATHER, SEVERAL PARTS OF THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM ARE BROKEN, INCLUDING THE STRUTS, CONTROL ARMS, AND ENGINE MOUNT. 3. VISIBILITY: SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I HAVE EXPERIENCE POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE FRONT DASH REFLECTING IN THE WINDSHEILD. THIS IS ESPECIALLY BOTHERSOME DURING SUNNY WEATHER, WHICH IS NEARLY EVERY DAY WHERE I LIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10471794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesWoodbine, MD
WHEELS
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND CAME EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI TIRES. WE FOUND THEM FLAT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS (AT LEAST 5) AND HAD ONE FLAT WHILE DRIVING. NO CRASHES THUS FAR. WE THOUGHT IT TO BE A FAULT OF THE TIRES. NO PUNCTURES WERE EVER FOUND WHEN TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. WE PUT ONE DUNLOP ON THE CAR THINKING THAT IF IT STAYED PROPERLY INFLATED, THEN SURELY THE PROBLEM WOULD BE THE PIRELLI BRANDED TIRES. THE NEXT FLAT WE HAD (LAST WEEK) WAS ON THE DUNLOP. INSPECTION REVEALED NO DAMAGE THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED IT TO LOSE AIR PRESSURE. WE SUSPECT THE WHEELS ARE POORLY OR IMPROPERLY MADE AND THAT THIS CAUSES THE FLATS. LOSING PRESSURE IN A TIRE FOR ANY REASON CAN CAUSE A CRASH. WE HAVE HEARD THAT VOLVO HAS AN "UNOFFICIAL RECALL" ON THE WHEELS, BUT CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ON THIS. THE ODI ID NUMBER : 10437484 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT ON THIS SAME VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10439729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,500 milesWoodbine, MD
STEERING
THE CAR BEGAN MAKING HOWLING NOISES WHEN TURNING RIGHT. THE NOISES WERE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AREA. THE CAR IS AN AWD MODEL WITH MANUAL 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY WAS FAILING AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. HAD THIS COMPONENT LOCKED UP, STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE LOST AND RISK OF A CRASH WOULD ESCALATE. THE REPAIR WAS AT MY EXPENSE ($786). THESE SAFETY RELATED STEERING AND SUSPENSION PARTS SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 58,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OWNERS MANUAL SERVICE GUIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10437484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,500 milesWoodbine, MD
SUSPENSION
THE CAR BEGAN MAKING HOWLING NOISES WHEN TURNING RIGHT. THE NOISES WERE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL AREA. THE CAR IS AN AWD MODEL WITH MANUAL 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY WAS FAILING AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. HAD THIS COMPONENT LOCKED UP, STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE LOST AND RISK OF A CRASH WOULD ESCALATE. THE REPAIR WAS AT MY EXPENSE ($786). THESE SAFETY RELATED STEERING AND SUSPENSION PARTS SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 58,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OWNERS MANUAL SERVICE GUIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10437484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,169 milesAlexandria, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE V50 T5 BEGAN TO SHAKE AND TREMBLE WHEN STARTED AND PLACED IN REVERSE. DRIVER THOUGHT THE CAR HAD A FLAT TIRE. INSPECTED VEHICLE AND SHUT CAR DOWN. TURNED ENGINE BACK ON AND PUT IN REVERSE. LIMITED POWER WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. NO TURBO POWER. PEDAL PLACED TO FLOOR AND LITTLE TO NO SPEED. VEHICLE TREMBLED AND HAD LIMITED ACCELERATION WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THIRD TIME OF TURNING VEHICLE ON, THE VEHICLE MOVED ABOUT 100-200 FEET AND STALLED. VEHICLE TOWED TO FAIRFAX VOLVO AT 11050 FAIRFAX BLVD. FAIRFAX VOLVO FOUND "SEVERAL MISFIRE FAULT CODES. CLEARED CODES. UPGRADE ECM WITH NEW SOFTWARE." AS WRITTEN ON SERVICE INVOICE. THE SAME VEHICLE HAD THE SAME TREMBLING AND SHAKING WHILE BACKING OUT ON 01/04/2007.
NHTSA complaint #10178989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE V50 T5 BEGAN TO SHAKE AND TREMBLE WHEN STARTED AND PLACED IN REVERSE. DRIVER THOUGHT THE CAR HAD A FLAT TIRE. INSPECTED VEHICLE AND SHUT CAR DOWN. TURNED ENGINE BACK ON AND PUT IN REVERSE. LIMITED POWER WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. NO TURBO POWER. PEDAL PLACED TO FLOOR AND LITTLE TO NO SPEED. VEHICLE TREMBLED AND HAD LIMITED ACCELERATION WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THIRD TIME OF TURNING VEHICLE ON, THE VEHICLE MOVED ABOUT 100-200 FEET AND STALLED. VEHICLE TOWED TO FAIRFAX VOLVO AT 11050 FAIRFAX BLVD. FAIRFAX VOLVO FOUND "SEVERAL MISFIRE FAULT CODES. CLEARED CODES. UPGRADE ECM WITH NEW SOFTWARE." AS WRITTEN ON SERVICE INVOICE. THE SAME VEHICLE HAD THE SAME TREMBLING AND SHAKING WHILE BACKING OUT ON 01/04/2007.
NHTSA complaint #10178989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesWashington, DC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ON DECEMBER 3, 2005, THE CAR (A VOLVO V50 2006 WITH APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES) WAS BEING DRIVEN IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA OF WASHINGTON DC. THE CAR WAS STOPPED FOR A LIGHT, AND THEN, UPON ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FORWARD, THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE WHEELS IN ANY GEAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (MARTEN'S VOLVO, BETHESDA, MD). THE DEALERS REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED THE OWNER LATER THAT EVENING THAT A LINKAGE BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE AXLE OF THE CAR HAD "SHEARED OFF" FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE DEALER SAYS IT HAS FIXED THE CAR, BUT DID NOT EXPLAIN HOW. IT IS CLEAR THAT IF THE INCIDENT HAD OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC, THAT THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT UPON THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER THAT THE CAR COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH.
NHTSA complaint #10144517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.