I doubt the minute (or model year) ford bought volvo things turned to crap. 99 MY vehicles were designed 2 years before they're mass produced so things could have been turning bad amid possible rumors of the purchase, the assembly line operators got pissed and threw extra parts in the doorpanels, or the suppliers were getting rid of old stock. I'm not disagreeing that the 99MY volvos are bad, just saying that I doubt ford was the direct reason.

I personally think it's because competition these days is tough and volvo had to succumb to the cost reductions every manufacturer goes through, some better than others.