VehicleVerdict

2005 Volvo V50 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 26 complaints on file for the 2005 Volvo V50 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

26

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other V50 years?

V50 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted26 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 26 complaints2006: 18 complaints2007: 8 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 3 complaints2010: 3 complaints2011: 2 complaints
V50 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all V50 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Volvo V50 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine727%
Fuel System623%
Suspension312%
Electrical System312%
Body & Structure28%
Transmission14%
Lighting14%
Other14%
Steering14%
Brakes14%

Does the 2005 Volvo V50 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V566000Electrical SystemNovember 8, 2010 · 416 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence

AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

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.

08V033000Fuel SystemJanuary 28, 2008 · 23,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE. IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE MAY FAIL TO START OR MAY STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

06V137000Fuel SystemApril 24, 2006 · 16,175 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS MAY POTENTIALLY RESULT IN FUEL LINE LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 29, 2009

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 1, 2011

“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.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 20, 2015

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 1, 2011

“OIL PAN FAILURE, LEADING TO OIL LEAK. THIS WAS CAUSED BY OIL PAN IMPACT ON ROAD WHILE TRAVERSING A SLIGHT DIP IN THE ROADWAY. PAN CRACKED DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN OF EITHER THE PAN OR THE VEHICLE SUSPENSION. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DO NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 17, 2008

2005 Volvo V50 — common questions

Is the 2005 Volvo V50 reliable?

The record is thin — 26 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2005 V50 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (7 complaints), fuel system (6 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints).

Does the 2005 Volvo V50 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Volvo V50. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.