DecodedCars2009 Volvo V50
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.
- Class
- Small Station Wagons
- Body styles
- 4dr Wagon FWD 2.4i/T5
- Engines
- 2.4L 5-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 24 combined · 20 city / 31 hwy
- Length
- 177.6 in
- Curb weight
- 3,117 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2009 Volvo V50 is a small station wagon offered with 2 engines (2.4L 5-cyl and 2.5L 5-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 178 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,117 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (20 city / 31 highway), 2% better than the 2009 small station wagon average of 23.5 MPG, for an estimated $2,800 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2009
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2008 V50 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 V50 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Wagon FWD 2.4i/T5 | 177.6 in | 69.7 in | 56.3 in | 104.3 in | 60.2 / 60.6 in | 3,117 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V50 FWD | 2.4L 5-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 31 / 24 | +2% | $2,800 | 370 |
| V50 FWD | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 23 | -2% | $2,900 | 386 |
| V50 FWD | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 23 | -2% | $2,900 | 386 |
| V50 FWD | 2.4L 5-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | -2% | $2,900 | 386 |
| V50 AWD | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | -11% | $3,200 | 423 |
| V50 AWD | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | -15% | $3,350 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Volvo V50 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2009 small station wagons
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Volvo V50 (this car) | 24 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2009 Audi A3 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2009 Infiniti EX35 | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
Seats · Nov 22, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V591000 · 7,420 vehicles
- Problem
- VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RAIL'S DETECTION SYSTEM WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND MAY PERMIT THE PASSENGER TO FORWARD THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM.
- Risk
- POSITIONING OF THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT POWER SEAT STOPS FOR BOTH FRONT SEATS FOR THE PRESENCE OF AN "END STOP" AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR AT [email protected].
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) · Nov 8, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V566000 · 416 vehicles
- Problem
- VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
- Risk
- AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
- Fix
- VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Not every 2009 Volvo V50 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2009 Volvo V50 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 1 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 50,100 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Volvo V50. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other V50 years
Compare all years →Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volvo. How we calculate this →