Most common 2005 Volvo V50 problems
Share of the 18 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo V50 complaints by model year
Best V50 years: 2004, 2008, 2010. Years to avoid: 2005. Compare all years →
2005 Volvo V50 recalls (3)
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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,…
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.
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
What 2005 Volvo V50 owners say
Engine & cooling
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 the consumer stated the problem was the right front engine mount.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Volvo V50. The contact stated that the oil pan underneath his vehicle ruptured twice. While driving various speeds, the first failure occurred after driving over a bump in the road. The failure was noticed the second time while the vehicle was parked in the garage. The contact noticed oil leaking onto the garage floor. He stated that the failure was due to poor design. The oil pan lacks protection and is placed low on the vehicle, which causes scrapes and punctures on uneven payments, potholes, dips, and speed bumps. The larger Volvo models have horizontal frame members, which protect the oil pan from road hazards. The failure occurs in the s40, V50, and c70 models. The contact had to have the oil pan replaced twice within two months. The dealer stated that the repair would cost $1,200 each time. The contact has paid a total of $2,400 for the two repairs. …
Fuel & propulsion system
2005 Volvo V50 has intermittent starting issues. The engine cranks and fuel pump can be heard when key is turned in ignition but the engine does not turn over/start. After 10-15 (sometimes more) attempts at starting the vehicle, fuel pressure appears to build slowly with each attempt and the engine will sometimes start. If the vehicle does start it is operable without additional problems and can be driven normally. The car will re-start without issue if the engine has run within a few hours of the attempt. After 24-36 hours of being off the vehicle will have difficulty starting again. I believe the pem (pump electronics module) is faulty in my vehicle - Volvo issued recall 190 to address this but now refuses to repair my vehicle or provide me with documentation sufficient to ensure me that my vehicle is not covered by this recall campaign.
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.
Electrical system
Remote key transmitter on 2005+ Volvo V50 is a personal safety hazard and potential swindle for Volvo on selling replacement transmitters. The design is such that the key will inadvertently fall off the valet key (which incidentally cannot be used to start the car). The latching mechanism is in close proximity (+/- 3mm) to the key ring it would normally sit on and when the key ring bumps against the latch in your pocket or purse, it can partially dislodge key and when you pull it from pocket, the key goes flying elsewhere unknown to the owner. No this complaint doesn't involve direct personal injury, but imagine losing your key in an unsafe place or situation and having to crawl around and try to find the thing. Delphi is the manufacturer of the keyfob. …
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.
2005 Volvo V50 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 5-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
| 2.4L 5-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 29 / 22 |
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Volvo V50 a good car?
Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 V50 rates use caution: 4.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the V50 at the same age. It is one of the V50 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Volvo V50?
The engine & cooling — 6 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (6) and electrical system (3).
How many recalls does the 2005 Volvo V50 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2005 Volvo V50, the most recent from November 8, 2010 (navigational system(global positioning system)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volvo V50?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004, 2008 and 2010. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005. See the full Volvo V50 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Volvo V50 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 61,000 miles; 31% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.