My wife and I picked up a V50 via European delivery in December. We had a terrific trip and loved the car (in Europe). This is our first Volvo and one of the primary reasons we bought it was because of Volvo's reputation as building solid, safe dependable cars. That being said, we have been stranded twice now due to problems with the ignition module (seems to think that we are trying to steal our own car...while it is in motion, no less). We had the ignition replaced and it is now sitting in the driveway waiting to get towed back to the dealer tomorrow to, I assume, have the ignition replaced again. Has anyone else had similar difficulties? We don't want our love affair with this car to end but....once bitten, twice shy....

This is the first model year for the V50, and first year models usually have lots of small glitches, due to all the electronic modules and components that are part of the new cars nowadays, that show up frequently and make the car a nightmare, eventually the glitches are sorted out for the next model year, but for you is going to be a tough first year.

thus, is better to avoid first year models
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'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 John, Tampa Bay

i beleive the v50 is based on the focus (ford) floorpan and running gear, if so then you should know that the focus does have a reputation for electrical issues with the ecu (source aprkers car guide). I dont know for sure but it would make sense for this to be a common part accross the ford range...

well....we are waiting to get it towed to the dealer right now...since my wife is 6 months pregnant I can only hope that this isn't a re-occuring nightmare.

Hope this is an anomoly for your car and they can quickly track it down. You clearly are going to need safe reliable transportation; not for the arrival because the baby will come when he/she is ready regardless of whether you are. I'm talking aobut those numerous trips to the grocery for those quirky food requests in the middle of the night... that's when you don't want to be without a car. It could wind up being a long walk for you.
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John Shatzer, '97 V90 @ 105K