Faults:

Cam seal oil leaks.

Erratic idle.

Replaced throttle body.

Computer died had to replace.

Oil breather box leaks.

Leaky heater core.

Oil leaks.

Map sensor / turbo sensor check engine lights.

General Comments:

Worst car for reliability ever! This is the first time I have ever posted on a site like this, and I'm only doing it because Volvo deserves it. Issues, like erratic idles, which can cause fender benders or love taps on pedestrians in parking lots are not cool! The only way to have a Volvo is to lease it and let them spend their own money to repair it.

Don't buy this car; if you do, I've got one for sale.

Faults:

You name it, and it has gone wrong with this car. I have spent 2.5K on repairs this past year alone. My only saving grace is that I bought it used, and it was a real "deal"; I guess the previous owner knew he had a lemon on his hands.

Our other car was, my son drives it now, a late model Volvo 850; which was/is very reliable; by Volvo & European standards, and not by Japanese standards.

Anyway, this car leaks like a sieve; coolant, engine oil, brake fluid, etc.

Every other month I have to replace a light bulb.

The ignition cylinder would freely turn and not start the engine, the doors would not unlock, the headliner was/is peeling, and I've made two visits to a body shop because of it.

It creaks during turns, the struts collapsed at around 100K miles, the transmission got stuck in the 3rd gear on an out of town trip, and its alignment has never been perfect.

I could go on and on, but you get the idea. Just read other folk's comments, and I have had those same problems. Yes, I also have a list of repairs from the dealer that needs to be done; $3750 in total.

On the positive side, the ride is great, the power is plenty, and it looks beautiful after a car-wash and detailing.

I will most likely give it to my next teenage driver, because it wraps the passengers in airbags and total safety. I've heard so many stories of people having walked away unscathed from their totaled Volvos, and cannot ignore this positive aspect of the car.

BUT.. next time I buy a car, I'll go to a high end Japanese make. Volvo may lead the rest in safety innovation, but it sure lags the rest in reliability; if my 1999 S80 is any indication.

General Comments:

The seats are very comfortable, especially on long trips.

Faults:

Upper control arm at 135,000.

Struts at 150,000.

General Comments:

Suspension problems, but very mechanically sound. I purchased the car because my Swedish godfather had one of the same year, and he had it up to 300,000 before the transmission went bad. The only things he ever replaced on it were the alternator, thermostat and air conditioner compressor, along with all the other normal replacements like brakes and spark plugs.

The car could use more power, but other than that, I love it.

My old BMW broke down constantly; nice to have something reliable.

Faults:

Radiator went out the first day I bought it.

Coolant leak.

Motor mount broke.

Major oil leak.

Timing belt replaced.

Front end seals replaced for oil leak.

Water pump.

New pulleys.

Replaced 4 coils.

Turbo boost sensor.

Strut mounts.

Ball joints.

Sway bar links.

Starter replaced.

Now a hard start.

General Comments:

I bought this car in Feb. 2010. Since then everything has gone downhill.

I have put close to 3000 dollars into it in 5 months.