NHTSA Complaint #10248628 — 2005 VOLVO V50

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO V50. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL PAN UNDERNEATH HIS VEHICLE RUPTURED TWICE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED THE SECOND TIME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING ONTO THE GARAGE FLOOR. HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO POOR DESIGN. THE OIL PAN LACKS PROTECTION AND IS PLACED LOW ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSES SCRAPES AND PUNCTURES ON UNEVEN PAYMENTS, POTHOLES, DIPS, AND SPEED BUMPS. THE LARGER VOLVO MODELS HAVE HORIZONTAL FRAME MEMBERS, WHICH PROTECT THE OIL PAN FROM ROAD HAZARDS. THE FAILURE OCCURS IN THE S40, V50, AND C70 MODELS. THE CONTACT HAD TO HAVE THE OIL PAN REPLACED TWICE WITHIN TWO MONTHS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $1,200 EACH TIME. THE CONTACT HAS PAID A TOTAL OF $2,400 FOR THE TWO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.