1993 Volvo 850

Routine

Owners filed 73 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission16
000
Air Bags › Frontal6
202
Electrical System › Ignition4
000
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip3
101
Power Train › Manual Transmission3
000
Power Train3
000
Air Bags3
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly2
000
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner2
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline96E025000
Filed Aug 20, 1996400 vehiclesVolvo Cars Of Na, Inc.

Defect. ENGINE BLOCK HEATERS INSTALLED AS ACCESSORIES. THE BLOCK HEATER CONTACT SURFACE DOES NOT MATCH CORRECTLY WITH THE ENGINE BLOCK AS INTENDED. THE BLOCK HEATER COULD COME LOOSE FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK, AND IF BEING USED, COULD POSSIBLY OVERHEAT CAUSING DAMAGE IF IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.

Risk. ENGINE COMPARTMENT DAMAGE COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BLOCK HEATER AND SECURE THE BOLTS USED TO INSTALL THE HEATER. IN SOME CASES, THE SURFACE TOLERANCES MAY BE SO INAPPROPRIATE THAT THE HEATER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH A HEATER OF A MODIFIED DESIGN.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical SystemFire
Filed May 30, 2008LA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 VOLVO 850. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE. TWO MINUTES LATER, THE HOOD BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY COVERED FOR LIABILITY INSURANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 23, 2006NH

1993 VOLVO 850GLT ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. NEWSPAPER AD SAID 1999 THROUGH 2001, C70,S60,S80,V70 & V70XC. THE 850 WAS NEVER MENTIONED. HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 1998 & IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES. REAL SCARY, CAN IT BE FIXED? *NM

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Mar 15, 2006200 milesPA

GOOD EVENING;THIS IS MORE OF A QUESTION ABOUT A POTENTIAL VEHICLE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE. I AM INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A 1993 VOLVO 850 4 DOOR. SEDAN ,AUTO/A/C,4 CYL,LOADED. I WENT TO TEST DRIVE THE CAR AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHTS STAYED ON WHILE I DROVE THE CAR. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE LOT THE CAR STALLED,BUT RESTARTED RIGHT AWAY. THE USED CAR DEALER SAID THE CAR WAS LOW ON FUEL THAT'S WHY THE LIGHTS STAYED ON? I DOUBT THIS VERY MUCH!!ARE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THESE CARS FOR THIS PROBLEM?IF SO I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION. THANK YOU! JM *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 3, 200550,000 milesNJ

I HAVE A 1993 VOLVO 850. IT HAS BEEN STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, LOW SPEEDS, FOR OVER 10 YEARS. NO ONE HAS EVER FIXED THE PROBLEM. SINCE YOU ARE INVESTIGATING CURRENT VOLVO MODELS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER INVESTIGATING THE OLDER MODELS. *NM

Air Bags
Filed Nov 16, 2004NH

SRS LIGHT IS ON. BROUGHT TO LOVERING VOLVO AND THEY ADVISED THE WHOLE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1200. IN READING PAST COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS SIGHT, I SEE QUITE A FEW ARIBAG PROBLEMS, ONE BEING THAT THE WIRES ARE CROSSED FROM PRODUCTION AND THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. I ALSO SEE MANY COMPLAINTS THAT AIRBAGS ARE DEPLOYING FOR NO REASON....IS THIS BECAUSE OF THIS WIRING??? I THINK VOLVO NEEDS TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE. RIGHT NOW I AM DRIVING WITHOUT AIRBAGS BECAUSE OF THE COST. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING THE SAME!! VOLVO NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE ASAP BEFORE A LAWSUIT ARISES!!*AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Aug 5, 2004121,000 milesCA

THE ENGINE WILL CEASE SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A VOLVO DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 2, 2003150,000 milesGA

FAILED TRANSMISSION AFTER 45,000 MILES. EXTENDED WARRANTY REPLACED IT. FAILED CONTROL SWITCH FOR AIR CONDITIONING A/C AND EVAPORATOR UNIT AT 135,000. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Aug 16, 2003PA

1993 VOLVO 850 GLT HAS BEEN JUST "TURNING OFF" DURING DRIVING, 20-60 MPH. NEVER AT IDLE. YOU MUST COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN THE KEY OFF AND RESTART THE CAR. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND MY LOCAL GARAGE TWICE AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT CORRECTED. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION THAT ALMOST CREATED AN ACCIDENT THIS PAST WEEK. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND I FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 21, 2003OR

NAR 05/21/2003. *MR DEFECTIVE ANTILOCK BRAKE PUMP. *CB

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer
Filed Dec 26, 2002DC

CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHILED BLADES WERE REPLACED, THE GASOLINE TANK WAS LEAKING, AND THE HOOD LATCHES WERE ADJUSTED.*JB

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Dec 3, 2002NY

WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS RESULTED IN DRIVER BEING BURNT ON THEIR NECK AND STOMACH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Sep 30, 2002DC

THE PLASTIC GASOLINE TANK LEAKED GASOLINE. *SCC

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 22, 2002PA

I REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT 99,000 AND NOW AT 27,000 ON THE ORGINAL VOLVO REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION I HAVE TO REPLACE THE SECOND TRANSMISSION. THIS TRANSMISSION OF THE 850 VOLVO IS A LEMON. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under DashFire
Filed Aug 28, 2002NY

DASHBOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IN PARKING GARAGE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
Filed Aug 15, 2002WA

CONSUMER WAS JACKING VEHICLE UP AND JACK BROKE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jul 8, 2002CA

FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, CONSUMER STATES THAT CLOSE EXAMINATION SHOWED THE PLASTIC CASING WAS DISENTEGRATING, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

Tires
Filed Mar 15, 2002CA

REPLACED 7 TIRES. TOO MANY FOR LOW MILES. VOLVO FRONT END CAUSES EXCESSIVE WEAR?*AK (TIRESIZE: 195/60VR15)

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Feb 6, 2002AL

DRIVER'S SIDE BELT WILL NOT ENGAGE, REAR LEFT BELT WILL NOT DISENGAGE, REAR RIGHT BELT VERY HARD TO DISENGAGE.*AK

Seat Belts › Front › Anchorage
Filed Jan 17, 2002AL

WHILE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED IN PLACE, IT WOULD UNLOCK WHEN LEANING FORWARD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK *SLC

Exterior Lighting › Fog LightsFire
Filed Oct 26, 2001OH

DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE, ONE OF TWO FACTORY INSTALLED "FOG LAMPS" BROKE OUT OF ITS HOLDING BRACKET AND STARTED A FIRE, WHICH BURNED THE PLASTIC FOR THE LAMP HOUSING. DEALERSHIP LATER REPAIRED AND REPLACED THE FOG LAMP. THEN, DURING THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST 2001, THE OTHER FOG LAMP BROKE LOOSE AND BEGAN TO BURN PLASTIC LAMP HOUSING. CONSUMER RECOGNIZED PROBLEM AND TURNED LIGHT OFF. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THE SECOND OCCURRENCE. *AK DEALER STATES THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY BRACKETS ALSO. *SLC

20 of 73 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1996
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20001000Routine
19992000Routine
1997107370Routine
19961923202Fatalities reported
1995111390Routine
199483330Routine
1993 — this page73130Routine

Compare every 850 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 20, 1996. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.