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Expensive Volvo V50 repairs by problem area

Engine (30%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (9%)

Brakes and Traction Control (7%)

Suspension and Steering (24%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (26%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (4%)

Other (0%)

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Chart based on 46 repairs.

See TSBs and recalls for the Volvo V50.

Volvo V50 repair cost distribution

$2500+ (15%)

$1000 - $2499 (85%)

$500 - $999 (0%)

$100 - $499 (0%)

< $100 (0%)

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Chart based on 33 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

142000 mi US $321	Fuel pump failed
152152 mi US $167	Replaced [brakes]
177000 mi US $1061	Heater core replaced and exhaust pipe repaired
182000 mi US $750	Turn key and nothing, electrical system came on but would not crank. Shop replaced starter, it worked for four days and same problem returned Turn key and electrical system comes on but starter doesn't crank.

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4960 mi $540	Rotary starter (ignition) control unit (SCU) would not go back to 0 (zero) after each driving trip. Had to alternate switch position betwn II & III for 10 to 20mins before it can go back to 0 if not the car batt will go flat. Gear knob sliding rubber sleeve cover protecting the moving knob gear linkage mechanism (at pedestal betwn driver and passenger seat) was also coincidentally replaced as the rubber had split a few months earlier.
6200 mi $800	Left rear shock absorber leaking...NIVOMAT Rear Self Levelling Suspension
8680 mi $1400	Left Rear Shock Absorber replaced - Nivomat Self Levelling Suspension

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74400 mi C $1000	AC clutch was defective. The entire AC compressor, including the clutch was replaced.
74400 mi C $800	Engine was making a funny noise. It turned out that vacuum pressure regulator was defective, and was providing far too much vacuum. The noise was air leaking past seals, such as the oil filler cap. The vacuum pressure regulator was replaced.
93000 mi C $770	replace rear brake calipers, replace rear brake pads, replace rear brake rotors
97340 mi C $1500	Front struts and strut mounts replaced

92000 mi US $370	CV boot replacement
99600 mi US $323	replacement of right cv boot
122000 mi US $590	Replaced alternator
128000 mi US $663	Replaced spark plugs and coil packs
160000 mi US $200	Replaced oil filter housing and breather tube Replace oxygen sensors
164000 mi US $2600	Timing belt failed, causing all valves to be damaged. Repaired head. Replaced water pump, belt, all valves.

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64480 mi

$1200

The Webasto diesel heater went out. Had to clean it, and replace ignition parts. A dirty job with a lot of tooling. Parts for 100 dollar, and 1100 dollar in labor. Sick!

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120000 mi US $800	Suspension bushings worn and needed replacement
145000 mi US $1400	Seized Tie Rods prevented alignment after tire replacement.
158700 mi US $600	Turbocharger pressure sensor was cracked.
190000 mi US $800	both rear wheel bearings

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109740 mi

€1800

Heater (glow) plugs were blown. When we went to remove them the tips broke away from the body and were inside the engine. The head had to be removed to remove them. Also the catalytic converter was blocked.

83280 mi

$2050

noise at the right front wheel. changed the wheel bearing hub.

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87000 mi US $1200	Broken ac clutch.
96700 mi US $280	Squeaky clutch pedal.

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47000 mi US $832	Front wheel bearing and front tie rod replaced
47200 mi US $830	Handbrake became inoperative, required replacement of both rear caliper assemblies.
48000 mi US $498	Ignition-key module failed, unable to remove key.
45000 mi US $201	Remote-access part of ignition key failed (ignition function remained usable).
70000 mi US $2414	A/C clutch failed. Clutch and compressor replaced, system flushed and recharged Parking brake largely inop, replaced both brake cables. Technician noticed left front spring snapped at bottom coil. Replaced both front springs to ensure evenness of alignment.
86000 mi US $1200	Alternator failure, alternator replaced.

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107260 mi €1500	Replacement of clutch (normal for this mileage)and dual mass flywheel (probably also reasonable to have to replace this with the mileage).
167400 mi €1200	Clutch replacement. The clutch was worn, which was expected due to the mileage. However the mass flywheel was also worn and had to be replaced.
135780 mi €400	Could not change gears. Air in clutch hydraulics due to a badly done clutch replacement.

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101000 mi US $750	alternator failed and was replaced
131000 mi US $200	strut bracket/bushing replacement for noise issue
148800 mi US $800	both axels needed to have boots replaced, torn. fuel pressure sensor had 3 failing reads on engine light coolant resevior was cracking on top with potential to leak failed compressor and leaking
171000 mi US $320	spring housing was loose in front passenger side strut housing
187757 mi US $1548	replaced sensor and clutch assembly

64637 mi US $1328	O2 Sensor - downstream, Bank 1, S2 I pd $100 deductible applied to Diagnosis Fee. ESTIMATE: R/R Camshaft Seal: mild oil leak. 5.2 hrs Parts $75.98 Labor $699.19 Due to camshaft labor costs, shop reasonably suggested R/R Water Pump $95.67, Timing Belt (not kit?) $85.01, Crankshaft Seal Kit $42.74 @ 2 extra labor hrs +194.22. (Warranty wouldn't cover extra 2 hrs or parts.) Would have had work done w/addition of full Timing Belt Kit, if didn't feel taken advantage of by shop's marking up parts over several hundred percent, double billing for services that were part of Camshaft Seal job (coolant 'Service' & engine flush) & adding unnecessary items (extra oil chg) saying BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS & BOTH ABS SENSORS REQUIRED REPLACEMENT if one wheel bearing was bad. Will have ALL work done by shop not trying to cheat female client. Only had necessarily O2 Sensor done here, so I could pass inspection. Was covered by extended warranty, which I never should have bought. ESTIMATE: Right Rear bearing making noise. Shop insisted had to replace both rear wheel bearings & both completely ok ABS Wheel Speed Sensors. Not done there. ESTIMATE: Shop insisted BOTH REAR Wheel Bearing & Hub Assemblies must be replaced even though only Right Rear noisy. Quoted ($508.16 Parts/$233.35 Labor) AND BOTH CORRECTLY WORKING ABS Wheel Speed Sensors (Quoted Parts $270) must be replaced when a wheel bearing was replaced. Other mechanics said untrue - mechanic just must be careful when removing ABS Sensor to get to Hub. Will have right rear wheel bearing done elsewhere. ESTIMATE: Shop insisted car w/64k regularly driven miles needed Engine Flushed to fix 'rattle'. Parts $49.14 Labor $none
67692 mi US $302	Remove/Replace Driver's side Rear Wheel Bearing & Hub Assembly
73927 mi US $113	Evacuate & Recharge AC
76598 mi US $149084	Replaced battery. FYI: If KEY's STUCK IN IGNITION from dead battery, you can connect any battery charger - even the tiny storage battery's w/jumper cables that can also charge cell phones - you'll be able to get your key right out.

50500 mi US $1200	AC compressor stopped cooling. Replaced compressor.
53200 mi US $300	Check engine light required a fuel pressure sensor replacement

137000 mi US $410	Alternator whining, occasional electrical ozone smell and not charging battery. Replaced alternator
139200 mi US $5200	Timing belt skipped a tooth causing bent valves and damaged pistons. Mechanic suspected foreign object jammed the belt.

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67000 mi

US $1800

intermittent fault in BCM causing whole high speed CAN network to crash and vehicle not to start. replaced BCM, drained brake.

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45000 mi US $200	Weatherstripping on driver door had a tear in it. It was replaced under warranty. rear break pads worn - needed to be replaced. Weatherstripping on driver door had a tear in it. It was replaced under warranty.
65000 mi US $240	Needed to replace motor for electric lock on rear, passenger door. Replace rear windhsield wiper blade and arm. Re-attach weatherstrip on driver door. Needed to replace motor for electric lock on rear, passenger door. Re-attach weatherstrip on driver door. Replace rear windhsield wiper blade and arm.
76000 mi US $1004	Lock on passenger door no longer working. Needed to replace motor that operates lock. Plastic side of driver's seat that holds buttons for operation of seat broken - replaced. Lock on passenger door no longer working. Needed to replace motor that operates lock. Plastic side of driver's seat that holds buttons for operation of seat broken - replaced.
84000 mi US $450	Oil change, etc Replaced air intake near oil filter/trap. Speicfic problem covered by extended warranty.
92000 mi US $950	Replacement of power door lock motor assembly, along with battery replacement, and recommended 91K mile service
106400 mi US $250	Re-filled AC with freon + dye to locate possible leak. No leak found, but appear to have an AC compressor problem that will eventually need to be replaced.
115000 mi US $1200	Needed to replace spark plugs/cables, ignition coil, and CVT solenoid. Air conditioning compressor clutch failed. AC compressor replaced
116000 mi US $565	Replaced rear control arms Replaced motor mounts
117300 mi US $425	Fuel pressure sensor failing
135000 mi US $1000	While having brakes repaired, discovered that CV boots were failing (cracked/torn).
136200 mi US $2900	Replaced clutch & DMF Flywheel. Lining wore out. But replacement required replacing the DMF flywheel at same time (surprisingly expensive).
138000 mi US $800	Control rod bushing needed to be replaced.
142000 mi US $135	CEM failure issues. Possibly just loose cable.

88000 mi US $300	Accelerator pedal assembly sensor sending bad readings. Vehicle would go no faster than 10 mph.
89900 mi US $630	Pump bearing failed with a loud squeal / whatever at low RPM. Eventually, Check Engine light came on but since the sound was far less at freeway speeds I drove 300 miles to home and then to dealer with the failing / failed pump.
110000 mi US $220	Bi-Xenon bulb failure.
111400 mi US $385	Engine warning light. Bad fuel pressure sensor.
120000 mi US $300	Various electrical oddness (WS wipers random, turn signal malfunctions, washer cam on without asking...
123000 mi US $400	Right rear wheel bearing
129200 mi US $1300	Tie rod and bearing replacement. Half shaft replacement.
135000 mi US $800	Left rear wheel bearing failed
146000 mi US $2000	New clutch, lining wore out, slipping.

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103000 mi US $300	ECM was cutting out the turbo boost.
117400 mi US $600	control arms needed to be replaced to fix the overly aggressive camber that was wearing the tires prematurely
126000 mi US $2102	timing belt, water pump, accessory belts, battery

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86800 mi C $100	Very small radiator leak. Replaced radiator. Rear door lock stopped working. Replaced door electronic module.
118420 mi C $650	The wiper blades mechanism broke. Needed replacement
133920 mi C $1500	Intake manifold and cam shaft seal replaced
142600 mi C $100	Replaced broken fuel sensor.
151280 mi C $400	Brake caliper seized

142600 mi C $170	Plastic coolant reservoir cracked. Car spewed coolant everywhere. Had it replaced and flushed the coolant fluid.
143840 mi C $1300	Had to replace rad, coolant expansion tank, a fan, a bunch of hoses. Car was overheating.
148200 mi C $900	replaced AC compressor and associated cooling stuff. Clutch on the compressor had rusted out. Could have just replaced the clutch but it wasn't much more to just do it all.

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107260 mi

C $1350

Power steering module replacement

64000 mi

US $1000

Control rod bushings cracked.

91900 mi US $150	Power steering pump noise. Power flush of pump and reservoir to hopefully avoid a power steering pump replacement. Noise is reduced but still present.. may need pump replacement in the future.
98500 mi US $145	Cracked coolant expansion tank
104000 mi US $1500	Steering Column Lock Relay, inhibited the starter. Vacuum line valves failed for brake vacuum hoses.
109000 mi US $190	Driver side horn replaced; horn relay replaced
111000 mi US $667	Twice following automatic car washes I had random electrical problems. Took it to independent volvo garage. It took hours of troubleshooting (that cost over $500) and follow-up car washes to confirm that a $13 protective panel under the hood was missing and allowing water to short connections in the main computer. Inexpensive panel replaced; the major cost was for labor to troubleshoot the leak, which included removing front passenger seat, under dash components, under hood components, etc.
121740 mi US $250	I had a Engine Misfire warning on LCD. I took it to a local garage and had codes read; it was #4 Cylinder Misfire. I had the codes reset and replaced all five ignition coils, as they were probably the original coils that weren’t changed when the spark plugs were changed to complete the 120,000 mile service in 2020. Engine ran much stronger after the coils were changed and I’ve had no further misfire codes.

70000 mi US $150	Had to replace the fuel pressure sensor as the car was hesitating and then the check engine light came on. This was a recall for the same part in other Volvos
70300 mi US $700	Had to replace front struts as right one was leaking oil and noisy. I had the shocks replaced as Sears had a special.
117000 mi US $450	Oil trap had to be replace after 67,000 miles as it was replaced in 2009 under warranty.
125000 mi US $600	Alternator failed.
127000 mi US $168	Fuel pressure sensor replaced due to P0089 code Fuel pump replacement. Cost included extra time for labor to remove stuck drive train shaft the needs to be removed to lower gas tank. Check engine light still on with code P0089/P2900 after replacing fuel pressure sensor in November. Diagnosis is a bad fuel pump.
127000 mi US $299	replaced upper and lower radiator hose due to leak
128000 mi US $453	replaced driver side cv axle and passenger wheel hub Replaced left CV axle and both hubs. Right hub replaced under warranty.
146000 mi US $120	AC not cooling
149000 mi US $105	AC not cooling

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234000 mi

US $2500

3 wheel bearings, tie rods, brake rotors/pads, new front struts, new tires

60340 mi C $1350	Wheel bearing
65300 mi C $500	Sunroof drain lines went blocked and caused water to flow into car
67780 mi C $1100	Replaced fuel pressure sensor, battery and spark plugs
78120 mi C $1400	Multiple issues (listed in order of costs) 1. Bushings torn on front control arms. $875 2. Gear shift module. $540 3. Transmission flush. $250 15% discount
87821 mi C $613	Replaced front brake and rotors (rusty). Rear brakes and pads were at 45%

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Expensive Volvo V50 repairs by problem area

Volvo V50 repair cost distribution

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Volvo V50 Expensive Problems