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: 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
What owners actually said
111 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2000
Power Train
THE SOLINOID TRANMISSION FAILED SO THAT IT CAN NOT ENGAGE THE FIRST GEAR. IT CAN ONLY ENGAGE THE SECOND GEAR AND THEREAFTER. I THINK VOLVO SHOULD RECALL THIS COMPONENT BECAUSE THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IT FAILED TO MY CAR. EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER REPLACE A NEW ONE EVERY TIMEBUT IT FAILS A YEAR OR MORE AFTER THAT. IN A DURATION OF F…
Read full complaint
THE SOLINOID TRANMISSION FAILED SO THAT IT CAN NOT ENGAGE THE FIRST GEAR. IT CAN ONLY ENGAGE THE SECOND GEAR AND THEREAFTER. I THINK VOLVO SHOULD RECALL THIS COMPONENT BECAUSE THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IT FAILED TO MY CAR. EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER REPLACE A NEW ONE EVERY TIMEBUT IT FAILS A YEAR OR MORE AFTER THAT. IN A DURATION OF FIVE YEARS OWNERSHIP, THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IT HAPPENS. IT COSTS ME A LOT OF TIME, MONEY AND HASSLE. I TALKED TO OTHER OWNERS AND THEY COMPLAIN THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #734747
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
IGNITION COIL REPLACED. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #554552
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2000
Seats
DRIVER SEAT RECLINED WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RETURN UPRIGHT.
NHTSA ODI #729040
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 · Jul 11, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
PHONED DEALERSHIP TWICE AND INFORMED THEM THAT I HAD DISCOVERED A CRACK IN MY CARS RADIATOR OVERFLOW CAP, AND ALSO NEEDED TO COME IN FOR SERVICE. MY CAR ENGINE BURNED UP AND FROZE ON THE WAY UP TO THE DEALERSHIP. APPEARANTLY THE CAP IT IS NOT A COVERED ITEM IN MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. DAMAGE CAUSED BY A NONE COVERED PART IS ALSO …
Read full complaint
PHONED DEALERSHIP TWICE AND INFORMED THEM THAT I HAD DISCOVERED A CRACK IN MY CARS RADIATOR OVERFLOW CAP, AND ALSO NEEDED TO COME IN FOR SERVICE. MY CAR ENGINE BURNED UP AND FROZE ON THE WAY UP TO THE DEALERSHIP. APPEARANTLY THE CAP IT IS NOT A COVERED ITEM IN MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. DAMAGE CAUSED BY A NONE COVERED PART IS ALSO NOT APPLICABLE. THE DEALERSHIP MADE NO ATTEMPT TO WARN ME OF A POSSIBLE OVERHEAT FROM DRIVING MY CAR TO THEM. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $11,000 TO REPLACE ENGINE AND BURNT COMPONANTS. I SAW NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO ENGINE FREEZE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #725252
Mileage unknown · May 12, 2000
Air BagsCrashInjury
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AT IMPACT SPEED OF 50 MPH, IMPACT LOCATION FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, IN WHICH NEITHER DRIVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER WAS INJURED. VOLVO SAYS THAT IMPACT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO ACTIVATE AIR BAGS. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #861806
Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2000
Visibility
DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER THE CONSUMER WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY, WHEN TAKEN TO THE GARAGE THE SERVICE MANAGER REMOVED AND REPLACED THE FUSE AND IT HAS WORK EVER SINCE. NLM
NHTSA ODI #551371
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 14, 2000
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlFire
AT 70 MPH, ON CRUISE CONTROL, HAVING BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY CONTINUOUSLY FOR 60+ MILES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CUT OUT, THROTTLE DID NOT RESPOND, SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING FROM BEHIND VEHICLE, ENGINE QUIT AND WITHIN APPROX. 10 SECONDS OF COMING TO STOP AND DRIVER EXITING VEHICLE, CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CONTACTED VOLVO AND THEY REFUS…
Read full complaint
AT 70 MPH, ON CRUISE CONTROL, HAVING BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY CONTINUOUSLY FOR 60+ MILES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CUT OUT, THROTTLE DID NOT RESPOND, SMOKE STARTED BILLOWING FROM BEHIND VEHICLE, ENGINE QUIT AND WITHIN APPROX. 10 SECONDS OF COMING TO STOP AND DRIVER EXITING VEHICLE, CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. CONTACTED VOLVO AND THEY REFUSED COMMENT AFTER THEIR INVESTIGATION.
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.
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.
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.
1995 Volvo 850 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration