← New search

1995 Volvo 850

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1995 Volvo 850 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 78.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 18 of 111 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.

  • Tires. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

10 reports
Clear category filter
116,007 miles · Aug 3, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RECEIVING REPAIRS FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V368000 (COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE), THE VEHICLE WAS STILL EXPERIENCING A FUEL LEAKAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AFTER IT FAILED TO PASS A SMOG TES…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RECEIVING REPAIRS FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V368000 (COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE), THE VEHICLE WAS STILL EXPERIENCING A FUEL LEAKAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AFTER IT FAILED TO PASS A SMOG TEST, AS A RESULT OF AN EVOP LEAKAGE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY HAD ALREADY PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIRS AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER A THIRD TIME, WHICH DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION WHO STATED THAT ALL OF THE PRIOR DIAGNOSIS WERE INCORRECT, AND THAT THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WAS THE VENT HOSE THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,007.

NHTSA ODI #10416974

91,000 miles · Apr 30, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY 1995 VOLVO 850 DEVELOPED A GAS TANK LEAK AT A HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT. THIS IS THE SAME DEFECT THAT LED TO A SAFETY RECALL OF VOLVO 850'S IN CERTAIN SOUTHERN STATES AND A SERVICE RECALL IN THE OTHER STATES IN 2004 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V368000). I WAS NEVER PROVIDED NOTICE OF THIS RECALL, AND VOLVO NOW REFUSES TO PAY FOR TH…

Read full complaint

MY 1995 VOLVO 850 DEVELOPED A GAS TANK LEAK AT A HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT. THIS IS THE SAME DEFECT THAT LED TO A SAFETY RECALL OF VOLVO 850'S IN CERTAIN SOUTHERN STATES AND A SERVICE RECALL IN THE OTHER STATES IN 2004 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V368000). I WAS NEVER PROVIDED NOTICE OF THIS RECALL, AND VOLVO NOW REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE NECESSARY REPLACEMENT OF THE GAS TANK--A SUBSTANTIAL EXPENSE APPARENTLY CAUSED BY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT THE COMPANY FAILED TO REMEDY. I AM HAVING A NEW GAS TANK PUT IN BY A VOLVO DEALER TODAY. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, I SAW THAT OTHER AFFECTED VOLVO OWNERS DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL FROM VOLVO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267336

117,900 miles · Dec 16, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING ON THE FLOOR OF HIS GARAGE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THROUGH RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA03008, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V368000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING ON THE FLOOR OF HIS GARAGE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THROUGH RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA03008, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V368000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL, HIS VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117,900. UPDATED 01/08/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10251949

112,750 miles · Feb 5, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT NOTICED GAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LEAKED OCCURRED WHERE THE HEAT SHIELD WAS ATTACHED. THERE IS A RECALL FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #04V368000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT NOTICED GAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LEAKED OCCURRED WHERE THE HEAT SHIELD WAS ATTACHED. THERE IS A RECALL FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #04V368000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,750 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10217052

132,000 miles · Jun 11, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. HE NOTICED A GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT GAS LEAKS FROM THE GAS TANK WHEN HE FILLS IT UP. HE HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ODI #10192953

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR 1995 VOLVO 850 IN WHICH SHE SOLD. CONSUMER WANTS THE NEW OWNER CONTACTED IN REFERENCE TO THE RECALL.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR BEFORE THE CONSUMER SOLD THE VEHICLE SHE COMPLAINED OF A GAS ODOR, BUT THE DEALER ALWAYS STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10120387

95,204 miles · Jul 30, 2004
Fuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other

I PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE AND FILLED THE TANK FULL UNTIL AUTO PUMP KICKED OFF, DROVE LESS THAN 1 MILE HOME AND PARKED IN THE GARGE. THE NEXT MORNING, GARAGE FILLED WITH GAS FUME ODOR, NO VISIBLE LEAK, RESEARCHED HAYNED REPAIR MANUAL, FOUND ACCESS COVER TO FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMP INSIDE VEHICLE, REMOVED COVERS, FOUN…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE AND FILLED THE TANK FULL UNTIL AUTO PUMP KICKED OFF, DROVE LESS THAN 1 MILE HOME AND PARKED IN THE GARGE. THE NEXT MORNING, GARAGE FILLED WITH GAS FUME ODOR, NO VISIBLE LEAK, RESEARCHED HAYNED REPAIR MANUAL, FOUND ACCESS COVER TO FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMP INSIDE VEHICLE, REMOVED COVERS, FOUND FUEL LEAK AT FUEL PUMP COVER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10083015

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

NO SUMMARY. DT

NHTSA ODI #770648

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

IGNITION COIL REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #554552

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 1999
Fuel System, GasolineUnknown Or Other

A PIECE FROM THE DASH WAS BROKEN OFF CAUSING THE DASH TO BE LOOSE. NLM

NHTSA ODI #547776

Official recalls

2

04V368000 · 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.

95V050000 · Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift; Equipment:mechanical:integrated Jack/leveler/stabilizer

Mar 10, 1995

SOME OF THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY LOAD CAPACITY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A RAISED VEHICLE CAN FALL OFF THE JACK INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE SUSPECT JACKS WITH A JACK MEETING THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE CARS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment:mechanical:integrated Jack/leveler/stabilizer

SOME OF THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY LOAD CAPACITY.

Consequence: A RAISED VEHICLE CAN FALL OFF THE JACK INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE SUSPECT JACKS WITH A JACK MEETING THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE CARS.

Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift

SOME OF THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY LOAD CAPACITY.

Consequence: A RAISED VEHICLE CAN FALL OFF THE JACK INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE SUSPECT JACKS WITH A JACK MEETING THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE CARS.

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

3

EA03008 · 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.

PE99040 · Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment

Opened Jun 7, 1999 · Closed Oct 27, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window

No summary supplied.