A big part of the problem is Volvo's absurbly high prices for many repair parts. Sure savy DIY types are able to often find acceptable and cheaper replacement parts, but for the vast majority of customers this just isn't an option.

There is no excuse for the high failure rate and high cost of dealing with issues like the A/C evaporators and ABS controllers. There is also no excuse for things like the flimsy failure prone cup holders on 850s or the self destructing inner door panels. Our 850 was garaged most of the time and the vinyl on the doors pulled away from the trim while the car was still in warranty. Of course it was fixed "for free" that time (free doesn't count my time wasted dropping off and picking up the car), but the next time they self-destructed the warranty was over.

For whatever reason, Volvo builds cars which often hassle the owner with endless repairs of things which simply never should have gone wrong in the first place.

John