The car that Steve_K1 was referring to was a 1967 Volvo, which was the older “Amazon” model. The later Volvos had very little in common with the earlier version, and I suspect that their development was rushed and that quality control had slipped a LOT with the newer models.
The only part of my '74 Volvo that could be considered to be emissions-related was the horrible Constant Injection System. Yes, that CIS was consistently problematic, but so was the entire electrical system, and I think it would be a stretch to say that the electrical system was emissions-related.
My sister had a Volvo once of this same year and model. It was in the shop pretty much monthly, and I don’t think she ever saw a repair bill under $500.
Despite my telling her to check on the timing belt… she didn’t…and the timing belt broke inside the engine one day when she was leaving to go home from work. She foolishly paid to have the engine repaired, and it never ran right.
Mercifully, I think she wrecked it or sold it. She’s not mentioned another Volvo since.
I worked for a guy for a couple years before he retired and died. He was the most ornery person I ever worked. 2nd worse. A buddy and I were planning on a visit to his grave. I mused that it had something to do with that new 1974 Volvo he had. He was always grumbling about it ant it was always in the shop for injector service or something. That was many years before I worked for him but still remember his antics. The guy was Swedish so maybe that’s why he bought the dang thing. He didn’t know the difference between Swedish blondes and engineers. Maybe he did.
The OP asked a question about a 2011 vehicle and received 14 replies about things that occurred in 1974. I hope the OP isn’t “thin skinned” and returns for more auto repair information.
Agree, hope the OP returns. fwiw from a pinhead diyer here, with no Volvo experience at all , a little research shows these as common problem points, at least on some modern Volvo turbo-diesels: Nothing too terrible. The strangest is an engine-mount vacuum control may (weirdly) affect the turbo function. The MAF sensor, Fuel pump. hoses/pipes for turbo, injectors, & glow plugs all obviously have to be working to spec of course.