2012 Volvo V50 problems
The 2012 Volvo V50 was sold with 3 engines that we have documented: the 1.6 HDi, the Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina and the 2.0 HDi. The 1.6 HDi and the Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 2.0 HDi (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 5 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as cracks and possible breakage of the right driveshaft on 2011-2012 Volvo V50s.
2012 Volvo V50 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 13 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. One of this car's engines has no documented faults in the versions it uses, but there aren't enough sources to call it reliable either, so it doesn't count towards the engine score. How it is calculated
- Engine5.3From 4.1 to 6.6 depending on the engine
- Gearbox6.83 faults
- Suspension6.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Brakes8.01 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering8.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system7.91 fault
- Headlights and lights7.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.1 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.9Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.4 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2011 Volvo V50
- Score: 5.6 → 5.9
- No longer affected by: turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter) (1.6 HDi), variable-geometry turbo failures (actuator, sensors and clogging) (2.0 HDi), dPF clogging on additive-type systems (Eolys/cerine) (2.0 HDi) and premature dual-mass flywheel wear (from 107/110 hp) (2.0 HDi) and 2 more
1.6 HDi engine in the 2012 Volvo V50
Names: 1.6D · 1.6D DRIVe
- With caution
1.6 HDi 110 16V DPF (DV6TED4, 2004-2011)
109–110 hp · DV6TED4, 9HY, 9HZ
It is the version with the most complaints in the family (turbo, injection, EGR, DPF and dual-mass flywheel). It is only worth it with demonstrable maintenance and, if the turbo has already been replaced, with the complete cleaning procedure documented on the invoice.[2][4][5]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- High severityFrequency: Very frequentTimingTiming belt failure and premature wearOn the 8-valve 1.6 HDi/e-HDi 112/115 built between October 2010 and September 2011 the belt could break and leave the car stranded. PSA covered the repair and in 2014 preventively replaced the belt and crankshaft sprocket on those that had passed 120,000 km.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonInjectionLeaks at the injector washers and carbon build-up in the cylinder headIt is common for the copper washers of the 1.6 HDi injectors to stop sealing: the engine blows gases, carbon forms around the injector and soot gets into the oil. It is cheap to repair, but if left it contaminates the oil and is one of the causes of turbo failure.Repair (garage): €110–€310
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlAdditive-fed particulate filter (Eolys cerine): depleted additive and cloggingThe DPF on the 1.6 HDi and BlueHDi works with an additive (cerine) that runs out at 80,000-120,000 km and has to be topped up for around €100-120 (price in Spain). With a lot of town use the filter clogs and the warning appears; if it is left, a new DPF costs around €1,500.Repair (garage): €100–€1,500Appears at around 80,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlDirty EGR valve and EGR cooler leaksThe 1.6 HDi EGR valve gets dirty easily, especially in town use, and causes jerking and stalling at idle. On the 8V engines the EGR cooler also fails, consuming coolant with no visible leaks.
Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina engine in the 2012 Volvo V50
Names: 2.4i · T5
- With caution
T5 of 220-230 hp (B5254T3 and B5254T7, P1 platform, 2005-2013)
220–230 hp · B5254T3, B5254T7
The technical article describes on these cars a whistle from a cracked ventilation hose and leaks at the separator at high mileage, and Total Renting cites the coils as a T5 fault on the C30.[7][8]
Faults that affect 2012 cars
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTimingFront camshaft seal leak wetting the timing beltWith the crankcase ventilation blocked, the pressure can force the front camshaft seal and the oil reaches the timing belt. It is a serious risk, because if the belt fails the valves bend, but the sources give no case figures.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonLubricationClogged oil separator and crankcase overpressureThe crankcase ventilation's oil separator clogs with carbon and sludge, internal pressure rises and oil consumption, whistling and leaks from the seals appear. A technical article on turbocharged Volvos and the Russian press on the Focus ST both point to it.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationTorn crankcase ventilation diaphragm or hose (whistling)On the 2.5 turbo, the separator diaphragm or a crankcase ventilation hose can fail and the engine whistles at idle. The Russian press puts the Focus ST diaphragm failure at between 70,000 and 100,000 km.Appears at around 70,000 km
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIgnitionFaulty ignition coils with misfiresOn the five-cylinder T5 of the Volvo C30, Total Renting attributes jerking and misfires to the coils and puts replacement at between 120 and 300 € including labour (in Spain).Repair (garage): €120–€300
2.0 HDi engine in the 2012 Volvo V50
Names: 2.0D
- With caution
2.0 HDi 107/110 (DW10ATED / DW10ATED4, 2000-2008)
107–110 hp · DW10ATED, DW10ATED4, RHZ, RHW
The dual-mass flywheel starts to cause problems on this version (83 cases out of 553 opinions collected by Fiches-Auto) and the first significant turbo and DPF cases also appear.[10]
- With caution
2.0 HDi 136/138/140 DPF (DW10BTED4, 2004-2011)
136–140 hp · DW10BTED4, RHR, RHF
Fiches-Auto calls it "the era of the unreliable diesel": it concentrates the highest number of turbo, DPF, EGR, injector and, above all, dual-mass flywheel cases in the whole family. It is a viable buy, but you should check the history of these parts first.[10]
There are no documented 2.0 HDi faults that affect 2012 cars.
The Volvo V50 2.0 HDi: all its faults and what to checkFaults outside the engine in the 2012 Volvo V50
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchCracks and possible breakage of the right driveshaft on 2011-2012 Volvo V50sYes: a Safety Gate alert (A12/0501/13) covers the 2011-2012 C30, S40 and V50 because the right driveshaft can crack over time and, in the worst case, break and leave the car suddenly without drive. The UK register limits it to cars built between April 2011 and May 2012.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemWasher fluid leaking from the windscreen washer pump into the wiring and central electronic module on the Volvo V50Washer fluid can seep into the pump, run down the wires to the central electronic module and affect several functions of the car or, in serious cases, cause a fire. UK campaign R/2011/163 covers the C30, S40, V50 and C70 and replaces the pump's wiring harness.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesReduced brake servo assistance because of the non-return valve in the Volvo V50's vacuum pumpOn certain cold starts the vacuum pump can give less brake assistance: the car still brakes, but you have to press the pedal harder. UK campaign R/2009/052 (S40, V50, C30, C70, S80 and V70) replaces the pump's non-return valve.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchBreakage of the plastic rod in the Volvo V50's clutch master cylinderThe rod connecting the clutch master cylinder to the pedal can snap suddenly and without warning, after which the clutch no longer disengages. UK campaign R/2011/127 (C30, S40, V50 and C70) replaces the cylinder with one that has a metal rod instead of a plastic one.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchGear selector ball joint working loose and able to jam the Volvo V50's gear leverA part of the gear selection mechanism can work loose over time and jam the lever, so that you cannot change gear or select neutral. UK campaign R/2010/071, which includes the S40, V50 and C30, checks that the selector ball joint is properly secured.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Volvo V50 reliable?
The 2012 Volvo V50 was sold with 3 engines that we have documented: the 1.6 HDi, the Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina and the 2.0 HDi. The 1.6 HDi and the Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the 2.0 HDi (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 5 documented faults affect 2012 cars, such as cracks and possible breakage of the right driveshaft on 2011-2012 Volvo V50s.
Is the 2012 Volvo V50 better than the 2011?
Our score goes from 5.6 in 2011 to 5.9 in 2012. No longer affected by: turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter) (1.6 HDi), variable-geometry turbo failures (actuator, sensors and clogging) (2.0 HDi) and dPF clogging on additive-type systems (Eolys/cerine) (2.0 HDi).
What is the best year for the Volvo V50?
According to our score, the best is 2012 (5.9/10). The year with the worst score is 2004 (5.1/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2012 Volvo V50 have?
The most important ones documented for 2012 cars are: timing belt failure and premature wear (1.6 HDi, high severity), front camshaft seal leak wetting the timing belt (Volvo 5 cilindros gasolina, high severity), cracks and possible breakage of the right driveshaft on 2011-2012 Volvo V50s (gearbox and clutch, high severity), washer fluid leaking from the windscreen washer pump into the wiring and central electronic module on the Volvo V50 (electrical system, high severity) and reduced brake servo assistance because of the non-return valve in the Volvo V50's vacuum pump (brakes, high severity).
Own a 2012 Volvo V50? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Häufige Schäden und die professionelle Reparatur (Turbolader PSA 1,6 HDi)Krafthand · Motoring press · published 6 June 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- Boletín de servicio: sustitución del turbo en motores DV6 (versión reducida de la Información de servicio nº 77)Turbotec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 110 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité 1.6 HDIFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · published 22 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
- Volvo Modular engine (versiones de cinco cilindros de gasolina)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
- Volvo crankcase breathers are critical (separador de aceite y ventilación del cárter)Automotive Tech Info · Motoring press · published September 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
- Problemas Volvo C30Total Renting · General press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
- PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Fiabilité du 2.0 HDIFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French