RoadVitals

2006 Volvo V50 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Latest Jan 24, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Volvo V50, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Fuel system426.7%
  • Suspension213.3%
  • Electrical213.3%
  • Other / unspecified16.7%
  • Steering16.7%
  • Transmission16.7%
  • Airbags16.7%
  • Visibility16.7%
  • Driver assistance16.7%
  • Engine16.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11000792 · filed Jun 23, 2017

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 ID 10995236 · filed Jun 14, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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. *TR

NHTSA ID 10471794 · filed Aug 21, 2012

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. *KB

NHTSA ID 10437484 · filed Nov 28, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 10929780 · filed Dec 4, 2016

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. *TR

NHTSA ID 10471794 · filed Aug 21, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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. *TR

NHTSA ID 10439729 · filed Dec 13, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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. *KB

NHTSA ID 10437484 · filed Nov 28, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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. *JB

NHTSA ID 10144517 · filed Dec 5, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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. *JB

NHTSA ID 10587980 · filed May 14, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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. *TR

NHTSA ID 10471794 · filed Aug 21, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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. *JB

NHTSA ID 10178989 · filed Jan 17, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 10870497 · filed May 24, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .