Owners filed 192 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 3 times.
When it fails
09700097,000 milesMedian miles at failure
49 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
30
1
2
0
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
19
0
0
0
Tires
9
1
0
1
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler
9
0
6
1
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
9
4
0
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
6
0
0
1
Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
6
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
5
0
3
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Air › Antilock
4
0
0
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage04V368000
Filed Jul 30, 2004226,000 vehiclesVolvo Cars Of N.a. Llc.
Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AFTER PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO HEAT, THE FUEL TANK MAY SEEP OR LEAK FUEL AT THE POINTS WHERE THE HEAT SHIELD IS ATTACHED.
Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy. VOLVO WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE IT IF ANY EVIDENCE OF FUEL SEEPAGE OR LEAKAGE IS FOUND. ALL VEHICLES WILL RECEIVE NEW REINFORCEMENT BUSHINGS AT THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO PREVENT FUTURE LEAKS. THIS RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED AS A SAFETY RECALL IN THE HOT WEATHER STATES OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, AND UTAH, AND AS A SERVICE RECALL IN THE OTHER 33 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler02V314000
Filed Nov 19, 200265,000 vehiclesVolvo Cars Of Na, Inc.
Defect. ON SOME SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT HEATERS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT EXCESSIVE COMPRESSION OF THE SEAT CUSHION COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING OF THE SEAT HEATER.
Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL DISCONNECT THE EXISTING WIRES AND INSTALL A NEW ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT AND CABLE HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 30, 2018231,000 milesVA
MY FUEL TANK STARTED LEAKING EXACTLY AS THE RECALL # 04V368000 DESCRIBES, WHERE THE HEAT SHIELD CONNECTS TO THE FUEL TANK. I FILLED UP, DROVE 3 MILES HOME, PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND SMELLED GAS, BUT DID NOT *SEE* ANYTHING AT THAT TIME. IT LOST 6 GALLONS OF FUEN IN ABOUT 3 HOURS HOURS. VOLVO SAYS THIS RECALL DOES NOT PERTAIN TO MY VEHICLE, BECAUSE THEY DO IT BY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBERS, BUT WOULD NOT SAY ANYTHING FURTHER. IT IS IN MY LOCAL SHOP PARKING LOT, I WAS UNABLE TO PHOTOGRAPH THE LEAK AS I AM DISABLED AND COULD NOT CLIMB UNDER THE CAR.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 1, 2015169,000 milesCA
THIS VEHICLE HAS A LEAK AT A SEAM OF THE GAS TANK. CHEN ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WITH OBO 11 CODE P0455 EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED LARGE LEAK NO FLOW. A CERTIFIED VOLVO REPAIR FACILITY HAS VERIFIED CRACK AT SEAM FROM GAS TANK. *TR
Tires
Filed Oct 17, 201397,000 milesNY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS FOUR COOPER ZEON SPT TIRES, SIZE 205 55 R16. THE CONTACT WAS ROTATING THE TIRES, WHEN HE NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WAS BALD. THE TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRES WERE DOWN TO THE WEAR BAR. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 100,00 AND THE APPROXIMATE TIRE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 22, 2012185,500 milesMN
RUNAWAY ACCELERATOR ? ON ENTERING INTERSTATE, I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS LOCKED INTO THE FLOORED POSITION. I HAD A RUNAWAY SITUATION WITH TRAFFIC. I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW THE CAR OR RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR. FORTUNATELY, I HAD THE KNOWLEDGE AND SENSE TO SLOW THE CAR. PUMPING THE BRAKES DID NOT HELP. I MANAGED TO HOLD THE BRAKES WHILE DOWNSHIFTING INTO THE LOW AND THEN LOWEST GEAR IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I MANAGED TO NEGOTIATE THE CAR TOWARD THE SHOULDER AND EVENTUALLY THREW THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE PARK GEAR. THE CAR JOLTED, THEN STOPPED. THIS WAS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION FOR ME AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *TT
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 19, 2011170,000 milesFL
I OWN A 1996 VOLVO 850 TURBO. RECENTLY THE GAS TANK BEGAN TO LEAK AT THE SEAM ON THE DRIVER SIDE NEXT TO EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD I CALLED VOLVO AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY FOR MY VIN # THERE IS NO RECALL; ON THE INTERNET THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SAME VEHICLE GAS STORAGE ISSUES. EXACTLY ON THE SAME SIDE SAME PROBLEM, BUT SINCE MY VIN # DOES NOT COINCIDE WITH THEIR RECALL, I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I DON'T THINK THAT IT IS FAIR, THAT JUST BECAUSE MY VIN # IS DIFFERENT FROM THE RECALL, NUMBERS, IT STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE MODELS THEY ARE RECALLING. IF THEY ARE RECALLING A CERTAIN MODEL IN THIS CASE THE 850 MODEL FOR SPECIFIC DEFECTS, WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE WHAT VIN # IT IS, IF IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE RECALL. AND A SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU CAN HELP WITH THIS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO. BECAUSE THE VOLVO AGENT WAS NOT VERY HELPFUL AND RUDE. BOTTOM LINE WAS TO BAD FOR YOU. *TR
Tires
Filed Apr 6, 201196,000 milesNY
ON FEBRUARY 9, 2008 I PURCHASED AT MAVIS TIRE FOUR (4) NEW COOPER ZEON TIRES WITH A RATING OF 400 AAA. IN APPROXIMATELY SIX THOUSAND (6,000) I FIND ONE PAIR COMPLETELY WORN WHILE THE OTHER SET FULL THREAD. I CALLED MAVIS TIRE AND SPOKE WITH STU WHO SAID HE IS THE MANAGER. HE SUGGESTED I COME INTO THE TIRE SHOP SO HE MAY INSPECT THE TIRES. ON MARCH 2011, I DROVE TO LONG BEACH, LONG ISLAND WHERE THE SHOP IS LOCATED. STU INSPECTED THE TIRES AND AGREED WITH ME THAT SOMETHING WAS DEFECTIVE WITH THE TWO TIRES IN QUESTION. STU THEN TOLD ME HE WOULD CHECK WITH HIS SUPERVISOR AND GET BACK TO ME. STU THEN CALLED ME AND TOLD ME TO PLACE A CLAIM WITH COOPER TIRES. I WAS ALSO TOLD THEIR PHONE NUMBER WAS AT THEIR WEB SITE. I COULD NOT FIND A NUMBER TO CALL BUT DID FIND AN PLACE TO SUBMIT AN EMAIL. I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THIS WAS THE RESPONSE: ?COOPER PRODUCTS ARE BACKED BY A WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIALS WARRANTY THAT OUR INDEPENDENT TIRE DEALERS ADMINISTER ON A REGULAR BASIS. ANY TIRE THAT IS DEEMED TO HAVE AN ELIGIBLE ADJUSTABLE CONDITION AS DETERMINED BY ONE OF OUR INDEPENDENT TIRE DEALERS SHALL BE PROCESSED ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF THE COOPER WARRANTY PROGRAM. OUR INDEPENDENT TIRE DEALERS MAKE THE DETERMINATION ON WHAT QUALIFIES AS AN ELIGIBLE ADJUSTABLE CONDITION, AND HANDLE ALL WARRANTY RETURNS. WE OFFER MILEAGE WARRANTIES ON SEVERAL TIRE MODELS. WE DO NOT OFFER MILEAGE ON PERFORMANCE TIRES, WHICH INCLUDES ALL ZEON MODELS. [XXX] CONSUMER QUALITY SYSTEMS COOPER TIRE & RUBBER CO. 8
Electrical System
Filed Jan 14, 2011150,805 milesPA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING OVER DIFFERENT DEVIATIONS ON THE ROAD, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD FISH TAIL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO RECEIVE A JUMP START IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TRIED CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER VIA WEB MAIL BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,805 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,805. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK LID LATCH WAS FAULTY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. UPDATED 04/29/11
Service Brakes, Electric
Filed May 18, 200941,000 milesMD
I HAVE A 1996 VOLVO 850 TURBO STATION WAGON. IT HAS ONLY 41,000 MILES BUT THE ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF. I AM TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE CAR. VOLVO CLAIMS IT IS ONE OF THE SAFEST CAR ON THE ROAD AND QUITE RELIABLE. I DISAGREE. PLS. ASK VOLVO TO ISSUE A RECALL AS THIS IS ANNOYING AND COULD PROVE TO BE DANGEROUS. *TR
Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Apr 6, 2009155,000 milesNH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLVO 850 GLT. WHILE PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE REPORT INDICATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE GARAGE DOOR, HOUSE SIDING, AND DRIVEWAY SURFACE WERE DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, A SMALL AREA OF THE LAWN WAS DAMAGED BY THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED AND HAS NOT BEEN TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 155,000.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 3, 2008DC
CONSUMER HAS ISSUES ABOUT 1996 VOLVO 850 ENGINE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT CARBON MONOXIDE SEEPED INTO THE VEHICLE AND WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. A MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE NEEDED SERIOUS ENGINE WORK. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A ONE-TIME RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED ONE YEAR BEFORE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *JB
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 14, 2008140,000 milesCO
1996 VOLVO 850 - ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENT - NOT SURE IF ABS IS WORKING OR NOT - TOLD BY VOLVO REPAIR SPECIALISTS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THE 96 & 97 MODELS - ALSO TOLD THAT ABS COMPUTER HAS TENDENCY TO BURN OUT RELATIVELY QUICKLY ON THIS MODEL & YEAR - TOLD TO GO AHEAD AND REPLACE IT - AGAIN - HAD IT REPLACED LESS THAN 4 YEARS AGO - *TR
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 16, 2008130,000 milesMO
1996 VOLVO 850 ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENT NOT SURE IF ABS IS WORKING OR NOT COMES AND GOES. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 1, 2007WA
HEAT GENERATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSES ABS CONTROL MODULE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE TO FAIL IN MY '96 VOLVO 850R. AS OF TODAY, THERE'S 3 MODULES ALREADY REPLACED (EACH COSTING $800). THE DEALER SAID THAT THE CONTROL MODULE FAILS BECAUSE IT'S NOT DESIGNED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO WITHSTAND TYPICAL ENGINE HEAT. THE CHATROOM OF VOLVO OWNERS (WWW.BRICKBOARD.COM) IS FILLED WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT FROM VARIOUS MODEL YEARS. THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS SINCE THE FAILURE CAUSES INTERMITTENT BRAKING CAPABILITY AND HAZARDOUS DURING WINTER/SNOWY ROAD CONDITIONS. THE FAILURE IS SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING.
Structure › Body › Door
Filed May 3, 2007DC
CUSTOMER STATES THAT SHE BEGAN TO DETECT CREAKING SOUNDS EVERY TIME SHE OPENED AND CLOSED THE FRONT DOOR ON THE DRIVER' SIDE**CC THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FRAME OF THE DOOR. *JB
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Aug 15, 2006120,760 milesMI
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING, THE SPEEDOMETER BECAME INOPERABLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Jun 6, 2006119,000 milesTX
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Jun 6, 200683,000 milesTX
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage
Filed Aug 31, 2005VA
> MY FAMILY RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA, VIA US MAIL, DATED FEBRUARY 2005 > NOTICE EXPLAINS THAT: "IN CERTAIN CASES, AFTER PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO EXTREME HEAT, THE FUEL TANK IN MODEL YEAR 1994-1997 VOLVO 850 VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP SEEPAGE AT THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT. WHEN THIS OCCURS, A FUEL ODOR MAY BE PRESENT." >THIS IS A SERIOUS UNDERSTATEMENT AND, IN MY OPINION BASED ON MY FAMILY'S RECENT EXPERIENCE ON OUR VOLVO 850 LISTED ED IN THE RECALL, BORDERS ON CRIMINAL NEGLECT. > WE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH OUR OWN VOLVO 850 WITHIN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, AND IT WAS MUCH MORE THAN FUEL VAPOR. I WILL EXPLAIN: - A VERY STRONG INTERMITTENT FUEL ODOR BECAME NOTICEABLE, FOLLOWED SEVERAL DAYS LATER BY SEVER LEAKING FROM NEAR THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK DOWN ONTO THE CARS EXHAUST PIPE. I AM REALLY SURPRISED IT HAD NOT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE WE WERE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. - GAS WAS DRIPPING FROM THE TANK AT A RATE OF ONE DROP EVERY TWO TO THREE SECONDS. MY WIFE AND I NOTICED THIS AFTER A QUICK TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE WHERE WE HAD PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND, ALLOWING THE GAS TO POOL UNDER THE CAR. - WE HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO SECURE THE VEHICLE; THEY HAD EM MOVE THE CAR TO A SLOPED GRAVEL AREA TO KEEP THE GAS TO ONE SIDE OF THE TANK AND TO ABSORB THE DRIPPING GAS. > THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. THE POINT THAT I AM TRYING TO MAKE WITH ALL THIS IS THAT IF THE NOTICE HAD BEEN WORDED MORE STRONGLY AND INDICATING THE POTENTIAL SEVERITY OF THIS PROBLEM, W
1996 VOLVO 850 MANUFACTURER'S SUPPLIED TIRE JACK IS INSUFFICIENT TO LIFT CAR, EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN CRANK AND IS DANGEROUS. JACK KEPT ON SLIPPING AND FINALLY COLLAPSED. MY KNUCKLES WERE SCRAPING CONCRETE AS I TRIED TO TURN THE SMALL CRANK. *NM
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Aug 1, 200532,500 milesMO
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, ONCE THE CONSUMER TRIED TO START IT, IT WOULD NOT START. THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB CAME AND JUMPED THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND IT WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, AND THE PROBLEM OF STARTING THE VEHICLE RECURRED. AUTOMOBLE CLUB CAME AGAIN, AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK *JB
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: Jul 30, 2004. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.