IllustrationTHE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING IT NOT TO SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. NLM
1994 Volvo 850
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1994 Volvo 850 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 78.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 850 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 17 of 83 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
6 crash reports3 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
83 reportsNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
WHEN FIRST STARTED, THE CAR WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT. MANUALLY MOVED TO 2ND GEAR WILL SOMETIMES SHIFT AND THEN BACK TO DRIVE. IF PUT INTO LOW GEAR THE UPSHIFT LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THE CAR ACTS LIKE IT IS RUNNING IN THE WRONG GEAR REGARDLESS OF THE POSTION OF THE AUTO GEAR SHIFTER. *AK
THE VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON AT 20MPH, AND BOTH THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, ALLOWING A CHEMICAL TO BE RELEASED AND BURN THE DRIVER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOTALED. *AK
THE INCIDENT MENTIONED IS BUT ONE OF MANY IN WHICH THE ACCELERATOR SEEMS UNCONTROLABLE. THIS LEAVES ME FEELING UNSAFE AND AT RISK OF CRASH. THE DEALER HAS OFFERED TO PERFORM A" THROTTLE BODY SERVICE" AS WAS DONE DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND SOLUTION WHICH I AM BEING ASKED …
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THE INCIDENT MENTIONED IS BUT ONE OF MANY IN WHICH THE ACCELERATOR SEEMS UNCONTROLABLE. THIS LEAVES ME FEELING UNSAFE AND AT RISK OF CRASH. THE DEALER HAS OFFERED TO PERFORM A" THROTTLE BODY SERVICE" AS WAS DONE DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND SOLUTION WHICH I AM BEING ASKED TO SUBSIDIZE. I WON'T! *AK
DEALER SAID NO RECALL ON TIRES OR RIMS I BOUGHT NEW ONES COMSUMER REPORT SAID THERE WAS A RECALL. *AK
TRANSMISSION FAILED. YH
WHILE DRIVING, ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT DEVELOPED AN EXTERNAL LEAK RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT IMMEDIATE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE FUNCTION. VISUAL INSPECTION OF PART SUGGESTS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. VOLVO OF NORTH AMERCIA CONTACTED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNERS MANUAL, BUT VOLVO REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED TO LOG-IN (RECORD) THE INCI…
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WHILE DRIVING, ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT DEVELOPED AN EXTERNAL LEAK RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT IMMEDIATE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE FUNCTION. VISUAL INSPECTION OF PART SUGGESTS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. VOLVO OF NORTH AMERCIA CONTACTED PER INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNERS MANUAL, BUT VOLVO REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED TO LOG-IN (RECORD) THE INCIDENT.
THE CAR STRUCK A POTHOLE IN A JACKSON, MS RESIDENTIAL STREET WHILE TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT (35MPH). THIS ACTION CAUSED THE HORN TO STICK. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON ON THIS TYPE MODEL AND YEAR OF VOLVO. HE SAYS THE CAUSE IS ELECTRICAL CONTACT PROBLEMS IN THE HORN ASSEMBLY WHICH CAUSES THE ENT…
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THE CAR STRUCK A POTHOLE IN A JACKSON, MS RESIDENTIAL STREET WHILE TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT (35MPH). THIS ACTION CAUSED THE HORN TO STICK. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON ON THIS TYPE MODEL AND YEAR OF VOLVO. HE SAYS THE CAUSE IS ELECTRICAL CONTACT PROBLEMS IN THE HORN ASSEMBLY WHICH CAUSES THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL TO NEED REPLACING (APPROX $800 COST). SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED WITH THE CONTACT ASSY (RE REPORT # 705930). THIS PROBLEM IS SAFETY RELATED. MY WIFE HAD TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC AFTER THE EVENT WITH THE HORN BLASTING AWAY. ALTHOUGH NO ACCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY THIS, IT STILL SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FOR POSSIBLE RECALL/RE-DESIGN, ESPECIALLY IN A CAR PRODUCT THAT IS SOLD WITH EMPHASIS ON SAFETY RELATED FEATURES. IN ADDITION, THE HORN IS FUSED ON THE SAME CIRCUIT AS THE WINDSHIELD WIPER. IN ORDER TO SHUT OFF THE HORN, I DISABLED IT BE REMOVING THE FUSE. ON MY WAY TO THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS, A THUNDERSTORM OCCURRED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS. ALTHOUGH NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, I WAS CERTAINLY PLACED IN GREAT DANGER GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC AROUND ME ON A SECTION OF HIGHWAY THAT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. THANK YOU.
THE STEERING WHEEL MATERIAL ON WHICH THE HORN RING WAS MOUNTED DISINTEGRATED. THE RESULT WAS THE ELECTRICALLY CHARGED HORN MECHANISM INTOLERABLY ADJACENT TO THE AIRBAG MECHANISME IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE HORN ELECTRICS HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED AS DID THE AIRBAG TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT DANGER OF INCORRECTLY ACTIVATING TH…
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THE STEERING WHEEL MATERIAL ON WHICH THE HORN RING WAS MOUNTED DISINTEGRATED. THE RESULT WAS THE ELECTRICALLY CHARGED HORN MECHANISM INTOLERABLY ADJACENT TO THE AIRBAG MECHANISME IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE HORN ELECTRICS HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED AS DID THE AIRBAG TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT DANGER OF INCORRECTLY ACTIVATING THE AIR BAG AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *AK *MJS
Official recalls
204V368000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
Jul 30, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
94V173000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Sep 13, 1994
UNDER VERY COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, ICE CRYSTALS CAN FORM AT THE THROTTLE IN THE ENGINE INTAKE SYSTEM, AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF SPEED CONTROL AND CAN RESULT IN UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY, THROTTLE CABLE, CHARGE AIR COOLER PIPING AND CRANKCASE VENTILATION HOSES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA03008 · Fuel Tank Leaks
Opened Jun 11, 2003 · Closed Jul 28, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WAS OPENED ON JUNE 11, 2003, BASED ON 54 REPORTS OF FUEL TANK LEAKS.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE 1993 THROUGH 1996 MODEL YEAR (MY) 850 VEHICLES. MODEL 850 WAS ALSO PRODUCED IN MY 1997 AND WAS INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION. ANALYSIS OF THE DATA REVEALS TWO DISTINCT ISSUES. FIRST, THE 1994 THROUGH 1997 MY VEHICLES STAND OUT BY ACCOUNTING FOR 95 PERCENT OF THE REPORTED LEAKS.THESE VEHICLES SHARE THE SAME FUEL TANK DESIGN (PN 9142618). THE 1993 MY VEHICLE USES A DIFFERENT FUEL TANK DESIGN (PN 9141101).SECONDLY, THE FAILURES OCCURRED PREDOMINANTLY IN HOT CLIMATES, E.G., CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA, TEXAS, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, LOUISIANA, ETC.TESTING OF FUEL TANKS FROM CONSUMER VEHICLES AT THE VEHICLE RESEARCH AND TEST CENTER CONFIRMED LEAKS THROUGH CRACKS IN THE FUEL TANK WALL AT A HEAT SHIELD MOUNTING ATTACHMENT IN THE 1994 THROUGH 1997 MY FUEL TANKS (PN9142618). DETAILS OF THE TESTS ARE AVAILABLE IN TEST REPORT VRTC-DCD3060.VOLVO WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON ALL MY 1994 THROUGH 1997 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING 17 HOT STATES: CA, AZ, NM, TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, FL, NC, TN, AR, OK, UT, NV, AND HI.ALL 1994 THROUGH 1997 MY VEHICLES IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE REMEDIED UNDER A SERVICE CAMPAIGN.THE REMEDY FOR BOTH THE RECALL AND SERVICE CAMPAIGN IS TO INSTALL A NEW BUSHING AT EACH HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT POINT (3 PER TANK).ALSO, ALL TANKS (VEHICLES IN ALL STATES) WILL BE INSPECTED FOR FUEL SEEPAGE AT THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT POINTS AND VOLVO WILL REPLACE ANY TANK SHOWING SIGNS OF FUEL SEEPAGE.THE NEW BUSHINGS WILL PREVENT HEAT SHIELD STRESSES FROM BEING TRANSFERRED TO THE THREE HEAT SHIELD MOUNTING ATTACHMENTS ON THE FUEL TANK.THE SAFETY RECALL IS FILED UNDER NHTSA SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 04V368.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
PE03003 · Fuel Tank Leaks
Opened Jan 16, 2003 · Closed Jun 11, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THISINVESTIGATION ON JANUARY 16, 2003.THE BASIS FOR OPENING THE INVESTIGATION WAS 15 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL STORAGE TANK.VOLVO PROVIDED 43 ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION, 4 OF WHICH WERE DUPLICATES OF THE 15 ODI REPORTS. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.