← 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

Seat Belts complaints

8 reports
Clear category filter
110,000 miles · Aug 18, 2010
Seat Belts

1995 VOLVO 850 GLT, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTING MECHANISM (THE ROLLER NEAR DRIVER'S LEFT SHOULDER) WAS STUCK. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT THE BELT, SOMETIMES PULLING SLOWLY AND LITTLE BY LITTLE SEEMS TO WORK IT AROUND. SPRAYED SOME LUBRICANT CAN FREE IT UP FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT THE SEA…

Read full complaint

1995 VOLVO 850 GLT, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTING MECHANISM (THE ROLLER NEAR DRIVER'S LEFT SHOULDER) WAS STUCK. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT THE BELT, SOMETIMES PULLING SLOWLY AND LITTLE BY LITTLE SEEMS TO WORK IT AROUND. SPRAYED SOME LUBRICANT CAN FREE IT UP FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT THE SEAT BELT OUT AGAIN ... IT SEEMS TO HAVE A DEFECTED DESIGN SOMEWHERE INSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350322

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat BeltsUnknown Or Other

THE FRONT SEATS HAVE BROKEN THREE TIMES. THE BAND THAT KEEPS THE BACKS IN POSITION EITHER FAILS AND THE SEAT WILL NOT RETURN TO A PREVIOUS POSITION OR IT SLIPS AND FAILS TO ADJEST THE SEATS. THIS WAS FIXED AND PAID FOR TWICE. NOW WITHIN 15 MONTHS IT HAS FAILED AGAIN AND SMYTHE VOLVO WILL ONLY OFFER A 10% REDUCTION IN THE COST…

Read full complaint

THE FRONT SEATS HAVE BROKEN THREE TIMES. THE BAND THAT KEEPS THE BACKS IN POSITION EITHER FAILS AND THE SEAT WILL NOT RETURN TO A PREVIOUS POSITION OR IT SLIPS AND FAILS TO ADJEST THE SEATS. THIS WAS FIXED AND PAID FOR TWICE. NOW WITHIN 15 MONTHS IT HAS FAILED AGAIN AND SMYTHE VOLVO WILL ONLY OFFER A 10% REDUCTION IN THE COST. THIS SHOULD LAST MONGER THEN 15 MONTHS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. WE WEIGH 124 AND 145 RESPECTIVELY. WE HAVEN'T ADJUSTED THE SEATS VERY OFTEN. WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW COMMON THIS PROBLEM IS. VOLVO SAYS IT IS NOT COMMON. WE THINK IT IS DEFECTIVE REPAIR OR DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND THEY SHARE IN THE RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA ODI #10069615

99,000 miles · Feb 19, 2003
Seat Belts

THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT FROM ITS POSITION.*JB *TS

NHTSA ODI #10008716

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2002
Seat Belts

DRIVER LAP AND SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8003491

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2000
Seat Belts

DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT RELEASE BUTTON GETS STUCK ,WILL NOT RELEASE CAUSING DRIVER TO BECOME TRAPPED IN SEAT.

NHTSA ODI #867566

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2000
Seat Belts

SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON WOULD NOT RELEASE BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE. OCCUPANT TRAPPED IN SEAT BELT , THIS WAS REPORTED TO VOLVO AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT OCCUR AT THE TIME OF REPAIR. THIS OCCURRED TO THREE DIFFERENT DRIVERS DURING A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS. REPAIR SHOP PLACED GREASE INSIDE THE BUCKLE BUT…

Read full complaint

SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTON WOULD NOT RELEASE BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE. OCCUPANT TRAPPED IN SEAT BELT , THIS WAS REPORTED TO VOLVO AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WOULD NOT OCCUR AT THE TIME OF REPAIR. THIS OCCURRED TO THREE DIFFERENT DRIVERS DURING A PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS. REPAIR SHOP PLACED GREASE INSIDE THE BUCKLE BUTTON TO REPAIR. VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPERVISOR INDICATED VOLVO WOULD NOT REPLACE BECAUSE PROBLEM DID NOT REOCCURR IN THE SHOP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #725991

Mileage unknown · Mar 6, 2000
EquipmentSeat BeltsSeats

A/C CUTS OUT ON HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OVER 60. DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. BOTH FRONT ELEC. SEATS BROKEN REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT. RT FRONT BRAKE GRINDS AFTER LEFT TURN.

NHTSA ODI #719753

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 1998
Seat Belts

REAR SEAT BELTS BECOME UNFASTENED.

NHTSA ODI #530233

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.