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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-VOLVO-V50NHTSA data synced 5 days ago
Volvo
2009 Volvo V50 problems
The 2009 Volvo V50 has 3 active recall campaigns on file and only 2 owner complaints in the NHTSA database. Often that means the recall caught it before the field did.
The 2009 Volvo V50 has 2 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Limited NHTSA data — only 2 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily. 3 active recalls on file.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 V50?
Not enough data for a verdict
Only 2 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 3 active recalls above remain authoritative; read those first.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2009 V50· brakes
I had the brake pads replaced, then the pump only to not be able to stop the car because of the booster pump! I went right through a stop sign. The mechanic said he sees this problem all of the time with these cars.
Failure to notify owners of a potentially deadly, known defective part that results in massive corrosion of electronics and cem causing engine to quit working. Electronics began to quit working while traveling. We took the car into a dealership service garage and turned the…
Had a problem with your 2009 Volvo V50?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Volvo is recalling certain passenger vehicles equipped with power front passenger seats
Positioning of the seat beyond the intended maximum can cause increased risk of injury to the passenger in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the front power seat stops for both front seats for the presence of an "end stop" and repair the vehicles as necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on december 23, 2010. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552 or at customercare@volvoforlife.com.
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat
An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
Fix: 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. The unit's battery will be replaced with a new battery and a spacer will be inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866-957-1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.
This can result in a rapid drainage of the power steering fluid in the system and a complete loss of power assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering return line hose assembly free of charge. The recall began on august 13, 2008. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Volvo V50 reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 2 owner complaints have been filed for the 2009 Volvo V50, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2009 Volvo V50?
Only 2 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident call. The 3 active recalls above remain authoritative; read those first. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2009 Volvo V50 without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Volvo V50?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2009 Volvo V50 to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2009 Volvo V50 a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 2 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Volvo V50?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my Volvo V50 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Volvo V50?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 2 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Volvo/V50.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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