IllustrationWE HAVE WITNESSED THIS SAME PROBLEM ON MANY OTHER 850S. THIS PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT COULD ALLOW DAMAGE TO THE AIRBAG, FROM SUNLIGHT AND DEBRIS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD ADDRESS AND REPAIR.
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 →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: 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 reportsGLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR JAMMED. NLM
THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 3 TIMES; THE PROBLEM IS TEMPORARILY FIXED AND REOCCURS. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN DIFFERENT STORIES, SUCH AS IT IS A RESULT OF USING DIFFERENT METALS AND VOLVO IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY LAST WEEK WHEN A DOWNPOUR STARTED AND HE FOUNDOUT THAT…
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THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 3 TIMES; THE PROBLEM IS TEMPORARILY FIXED AND REOCCURS. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN DIFFERENT STORIES, SUCH AS IT IS A RESULT OF USING DIFFERENT METALS AND VOLVO IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY LAST WEEK WHEN A DOWNPOUR STARTED AND HE FOUNDOUT THAT THE DRIVER'S WIPER FAILED AGAIN. TODAY THE DEALER TOLD ME THE ONLY THING TO DO IS TIGHTEN THE NUT WITH A 13/16 WRENCH. THE PROBLEM IS THAT UNLESS YOU CHECK IT EACH TIME YOU START THE CAR, YOU ONLY FIND OUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN RAIN ON THE ROAD. MY SISTER-IN-LAW HAS A 1994 VOLVO 850 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH HERS FAILS LESS OFTEN. OUR CAR IS STILL COVERED BY A VOLVO EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO PERMANENT FIX - JUST KEEP TIGHTENING THE WIPER NUT. THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A REASONABLE, ACCEPTABLE OR SAFE SOLUTION. THANK YOU.
STEERING WHEEL ELECTRICAL WIRING CONNECTORS SHORTED OUT CAUSING HORN TO BURN. MJS
STOPPED AT TRAIN CROSSING, PUT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL TO WAIT FOR TRAIN. WHEN THE END OF THE TRAIN WAS SPOTTED I PLACED CAR IN DRIVE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAR SURGED AS IF SOMEONE PUT THEIR FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR WHILE MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR SURGED THROUGH THE CROSSING GATE AN…
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STOPPED AT TRAIN CROSSING, PUT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL TO WAIT FOR TRAIN. WHEN THE END OF THE TRAIN WAS SPOTTED I PLACED CAR IN DRIVE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAR SURGED AS IF SOMEONE PUT THEIR FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR WHILE MY RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR SURGED THROUGH THE CROSSING GATE AND INTO THE LAST FOUR CARS OF THE TRAIN. IT HAPPENED SO FAST I WAS IN SHOCKED, BUT I DO REMEMBER TRYING TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL "THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARD". VOLVO NORTH AMERICA HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND WILL EXAMINE THE VEHICLE. *AK
HORN STUCK IN ON-POSITION WHILE DRIVING ON FWY. HAD TO PULL ONTO SHOULDER AND DISCONNECT WIRES AT HORN. DEALER DETERMINED SHORT OCCURRED INSIDE STEERING COLUMN. COLUMN REPLACED AT A COST OVER $360. VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE NOTED THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. REFUSED TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. …
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HORN STUCK IN ON-POSITION WHILE DRIVING ON FWY. HAD TO PULL ONTO SHOULDER AND DISCONNECT WIRES AT HORN. DEALER DETERMINED SHORT OCCURRED INSIDE STEERING COLUMN. COLUMN REPLACED AT A COST OVER $360. VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE NOTED THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. REFUSED TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS. INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATES CAR IS IN LOWER GEAR WHILE STILL IN THE "D" DRIVE POSITION. CAR CAN MAINTAIN FREEWAY SPEEDS UNTIL CAR BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN FOR TRAFFIC. WHEN TRYING TO REACCELERATE, THE CAR REMAINS IN LOW GEAR. ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO TRY MOVING GEAR SHIFT BY …
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WHEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS. INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATES CAR IS IN LOWER GEAR WHILE STILL IN THE "D" DRIVE POSITION. CAR CAN MAINTAIN FREEWAY SPEEDS UNTIL CAR BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN FOR TRAFFIC. WHEN TRYING TO REACCELERATE, THE CAR REMAINS IN LOW GEAR. ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO TRY MOVING GEAR SHIFT BY TURNING OFF INDICATOR, BUT ONLY WAY TO FIX IS TO TURN CAR OFF AND RESTART ENGINE. TURNING POWER APPEARS TO RESET THE ELECTRONIC SHIFTING MECHANISM IN THE CAR. *AK
SIDEWALL SPLIT RESULTED IN BLOWOUT OF TIRE.(MICHELIN MXV4 - TIRE ID # DOTM6RBFJORO046).
HEADLIGHT FAILED.
OWNER REQESTS INFORMATION ON RECALL NUMBER 95V108, INTERIOR.
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.
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
3EA03008 · 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.