My 2005 V50 wagon served perfectly for two years. Then in July my wife hit a pothole in Manhattan and cracked the oil pan. It was replaced at a Volvo dealer (for $1250!). Now in November it has cracked again, but this time with no event we can think of to cause it.

This has me questioning if this is a design problem. Anyone else out there having oil pan breakage like this?

Can anyone knowledgable in oil pans comment on any possibility of our July replacement being the problem (could the dealer have bungled it)? I wouldn't think so but am at a loss to explain two cracked oil pans in four months.

Are you sure that the dealer replaced it and didn't just fix the cracked one? also, was your wife jumping over the potholes in NY, I mean, how do you crack an oilpan on a manhole cover......oh wait a minute, I forgot where you are driving. nevermind. talk with the service manager and then contact Volvo NA and find out what they think. but seriously, $1250!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! damn, my first Volvo didn't cost that much, hell, my first car didn't cost that much. nor the second and fifth. good luck.

the pothole she hit was basically like a collision plus bottoming out, so no surprise that the oil pan cracked that time. Right away it poured out oil. I kinda doubt they fixed/patched the broken one as bad as it must have been. Plus it was fine four four more months.

But my real concern is if this second unexplainable breakage indicates something more systemic, or if it's just coincidence. Anyone out there having any oil pan problems as well?

As far as the hefty repair fee, it's Manhattan rates plus may be difficult to access it. I'll see what my Long Island Volvo dealer is going to charge me soon enough. I am not thrilled with paying two $500 deductibles in four months.

I have a V50 since new in 2005 only 12,000 miles. I went over a dip in the road and heard a slight thump. Next there was oil on the driveway and YES the oil pan had cracked ... about $900 later the pan is new but I feel that this car has a defect. I was neither going excessively fast or is the dip very deep. I am now nervous about driving the car at all! How many more are there out there that have had the same problem?
Please let the forum know..
ron the motor man

At this point I'm planning on returning it to the dealer when the lease comes up in July. It's a shame, really. Besides the oil pan problems it's a fine car.

doesn't the v50 have a cover under the engine? on the 850, there is a full length under tray, not that i think it would protect the pan during a severe hit, but it is something.

If you look on the web there are several sites that offer Volvo oil pan protection in the shape of heavy duty aluminum special sheets. If I manage to get Volvo to re-imburse me for my cost I will get a pan as I drive in places that do have pot holes etc.. I do find the car noisy but otherwise it is a fine car. Keep in touch and I'll post if and when I get re-imbursed.
ron