Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Volvo V50. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Volvo V50,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 2004–2011 with 20 recall campaigns and 60 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 2010 (3), 2009 (3), and 2008 (3).
Years with the most complaint volume: 2005 (26), 2006 (18), and 2007 (8).
Top recall themes: Fuel and emissions, Steering and suspension, and Brakes.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Suspension.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Fuel and emissions
2 campaigns · Years: 2004–2006
These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Volvo V50 in NHTSA complaint data are
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Suspension.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2011
1
2
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Wheels.
2010
3
3
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Service brakes, hydraulic.
2009
3
3
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Structure:frame and members:underbody shields, Service brakes.
2008
3
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2007
2
8
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires, Tires:sidewall, Tires:tread/belt.
2006
3
18
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel/propulsion system, Suspension, Electrical system.
2005
3
26
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine, Electrical system, Suspension.
2004
2
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Equipment
, Fuel system
and Seats
Show recall evidence by year
2011
Seats:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain passenger vehicles equipped with power front passenger seats. The front seat rail's detection system was manufactured incorrectly and may permit the passenger to forward the seat beyond the intended maximum.
2010
Steering: Shaft sector:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 c30, model year 2010 s40 and v50 vehicles equipped with 6 speed manual transmissions. The gearshift lever stud assembly may not have been tightened to the correct specification during assembly. If the gearshift lever cable or stud assembly becomes l
Equipment: Navigational system(global positioning system):
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Seats:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain passenger vehicles equipped with power front passenger seats. The front seat rail's detection system was manufactured incorrectly and may permit the passenger to forward the seat beyond the intended maximum.
2009
Steering: Hose, piping, and connections:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling my 2008-2009 vehicles. A section of the power steering return line hose was not properly vulcanized (cured) and does not meet specifications. If the power steering return hose fails, a sudden rupture of the hose can occur.
Equipment: Navigational system(global positioning system):
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Seats:
Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain passenger vehicles equipped with power front passenger seats. The front seat rail's detection system was manufactured incorrectly and may permit the passenger to forward the seat beyond the intended maximum.
2008
Structure: Roof and pillars:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling 7 my 2008 v50 passenger vehicles equipped with roof rails. Bolts have been found to be out of specification. This has caused less tread length on the bolts which in turn has lead to insufficient clamping force in the joint due to the washer getting stuck when tightening the bol
Steering: Hose, piping, and connections:
Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling my 2008-2009 vehicles. A section of the power steering return line hose was not properly vulcanized (cured) and does not meet specifications. If the power steering return hose fails, a sudden rupture of the hose can occur.
Equipment: Navigational system(global positioning system):
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
2007
Service brakes, hydraulic: Master cylinder:
Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling 1,114 my 2007 c30, c70, s40, and v50 passenger vehicles. A soft anodized layer in the master cylinder may trigger early wear on a rubber seal that can result in internal leakage of brake fluid. If affected, the driver may experience reduced brake performance when applying and m
Equipment: Navigational system(global positioning system):
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
2006
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 dis
Equipment: Navigational system(global positioning system):
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
2005
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 dis
Equipment: Navigational system(global positioning system):
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
2004
Fuel system, gasoline:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 dis
Other Volvo Models
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Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
