I suppose every machine or contraption has it good and bad points. A preponderance of good design elements in a car or engine doesn't forgive the bad ones, especially if they are really bad.
The B27 PRV was a terrible engine, but it had a substantial crankshaft supported in a very rigid main bearing girdle - real race engine stuff. But....a lousy valve train, and odd-fire sequence, made it a loser.
I've owned lots of Volvos, and worked on lots of other brands and owned some of them too. If cars didn't break, I would have had trouble making a living.
Volvo engineering in many respects was world class - crash worthiness, body structure, seating ( important when you're large...) and seat belts. The ergonomics were damn near perfect. But then look at the aluminum bracket used to mount the Saginaw power steering pumps, with stupid bushings that slip around. Alternator mount too. Terrible vibrations throughout the car. Two piece drive shafts that vibrated even when new - my 79 GT did that from new. Poor wiring, and of course the dreaded heater motor that wasn't redesigned for what - fifteen years?
Great cars, but not perfect. After all, humans designed them.
Oh, and my buddy's Ferrari Daytona - can't shift that thing into second gear until it's been driven for about a half hour. Not up, not down, no second gear available. Normal for that transaxle. Unacceptable on the lowliest car today. But it's a Ferrari...go figure.