Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)
Free remedy
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Research · Small Station Wagons
2005 Volvo V50Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 18 owner complaints for the 2005 Volvo V50. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (6) and fuel/propulsion system (3). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Nov 2010
Owner complaints
18
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,500est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Fuel system
Free remedy
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.
Fuel system, gasoline
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
18 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2005 – Feb 2018
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Suspension3
- Fuel system, gasoline3
- Electrical system3
- Structure2
- Steering1
- Power train1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Engine and engine cooling
6 reports
“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*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE RIGHT FRONT ENGINE MOUNT. *TR”
Fuel/propulsion system
3 reports
“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.”
Suspension
3 reports
“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. NOISES ARE WHEN CAR IS BEING DRIVEN ESPECIALLY TURNING RIGHT.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
6 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Small Station Wagons
- Engines
- 2.4L 5-cyl · 2.5L 5-cyl turbo
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S5) · Manual 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V50 FWD Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,500 | 404 |
| V50 FWD Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,500 | 404 |
| V50 FWD Man 5-spd, 5 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,500 | 404 |
| V50 FWD Man 6-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 22 | $3,500 | 404 |
| V50 AWD Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 20 | $3,850 | 444 |
| V50 AWD Man 6-spd, 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,850 | 444 |
- 22mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Volvo V50 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1556
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2005 V50 questions
How many recalls does the 2005 Volvo V50 have?
3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
What are the most common 2005 Volvo V50 problems?
Owners filed 18 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (6), fuel/propulsion system (3), suspension (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2005 Volvo V50 get?
The EPA rates the 2005 Volvo V50 at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026