At random times the locking system does not respond to the remote key. Sometimes it fails to lock. At other times it fails to open. Sometimes the locks on one side of the car lock or open but the other side does not respond. Also, occasionally the windows will not open or close in response to the controls from inside the car.

These events are fairly rare, perhaps once or twice a week. The first time we brought it in the mechanic said that there was a problem with programming. He reprogrammed it. But that did not fix the problem. We have brought it back several other times but because it always functioned when it was at the dealer's they could find nothing wrong.

The last time the mechanic said that he does not think there is anything wrong with it and he will not try to fix it. Yet it keeps malfunctioning.

Especially with winter coming, it is going to be very unpleasant if we cannot easily get into our car or lock it when we park. Though the small emergency key still seems to work, it is hard to get that out and it will be even harder in the winter. My wife has a physical disability and it will be particularly hard for her to struggle with it. It is actually her car which we got because we felt that Volvos are safe. But it's not very safe if one has to struggle with the door in the snow. Also, I'm afraid that one of these days we won't even be able to open the door to get out.

We didn't get a Volvo expecting to be scared of it.

Any suggestions?

I have a 2.4 V50. I experienced door lock and/or AC not responding prior to car won't start due to dead battery. Checkup at dealer revealed a loosening or dirty computer system plug (as being told by dealer). So the dealer cleaned up the plug and reprogramed the computer to fix the problem. The car has been functioning normal for about 6 months until last week which the battery has been drained again due to unknown problem.

I have a 2002 V70 wagon. You are not alone! Mine is doing the same thing. Also, my driver's door lock will unlock and then relock itself almost instantly, leaving you standing in the parking lot trying to grab the door handle fast enough to win at "beat the lock". The only sure way to lock it or open it is to use the key. I've had it in twice already, and it never does it for the service staff. Since they can't duplicate it, they say they can't fix it. It used to only do it randomly, but it has progressed to doing it continuously. I'll plan to take it in again shortly. We'll see if they can fix it.

Hi All,

Happy New Year!

I have just started to have the problem where both Right Hand doors fail to lock. The car was set to auto lock but I have disabled this feature and still I have the problem. The door lock itself doesn't work when pressed and when the keyfob is depressed only the left hand doors lock and unlock.
After several attempts of unlocking and locking it appears to work - until the next time!

I just wondered if there is any further news on this problem?

Thanks

Has anybody checked to see if there is a recall notice about this. The dealer is supposed to inform the owners about this. Supposed to, being the operative words. Call Volvo of North America and lodge a complaint. See if that lights a fire under their collective butts. Is ther another dealer close by that you can go to and have them check it out? sometimes diffeent dealers have better mechanics. Just a thought.

There is a policy at least in uk where a pillar connectors are replaced in a 2006 model year s40/v50. Go to the dealer should be free.

hi saberman, I had the same experience yesterday, when I went to try a used V50 to buy it. At random times the car had this "half palsy" on one side or the other twice during my tests. The dealer, that was in the car with me, saw that and assured me that it was only a problem of a false contact in the connector between the door and the car. Actually he shaked it a little and everything worked fine!
Than he assured me that he will fix it definitively before giving me the car because there is already a recall notice for this problem.
I decided to trust him and bought the car. I hope I will not be disappointed!

Anyway, try yourself to shake a little the black rubber connector and see what happens.

Keep me informed!

A pillar connector repair will fix the fault just as garage has advised.

hey raydar, do you know any way to interpret the policies codes?
Example: what does mean policy 35/06 ? What is it for? How do you decipher it?

Not sure if all policy info is the same for all countrys, 35/06 means nothing to me! I could guess it is week 35, year 06 giving a build date but out of context it is a mystery to me also.

Hi

My issue has been resolved, when I spoke to my local Volvo UK service desk, they did say that the pillar connector needed modifying, replacing the tin contacts for gold plated ones.

However, when they had the car in they found the car was to new for this mod, but they found fault with the control unit in the door and replaced under warranty.

I'm happy again!