TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING OVER DIFFERENT DEVIATIONS ON THE ROAD, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD FISH TAIL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO RECEIVE A JUMP START IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING OVER DIFFERENT DEVIATIONS ON THE ROAD, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD FISH TAIL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO RECEIVE A JUMP START IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TRIED CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER VIA WEB MAIL BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,805 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,805. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK LID LATCH WAS FAULTY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. UPDATED 04/29/11
NHTSA ODI #10376732
32,500 miles · Aug 1, 2005
Electrical System
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, ONCE THE CONSUMER TRIED TO START IT, IT WOULD NOT START. THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB CAME AND JUMPED THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND IT WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, AND THE PROBLEM OF STARTING THE VEHICLE RECURRED.…
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VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, ONCE THE CONSUMER TRIED TO START IT, IT WOULD NOT START. THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB CAME AND JUMPED THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND IT WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, AND THE PROBLEM OF STARTING THE VEHICLE RECURRED. AUTOMOBLE CLUB CAME AGAIN, AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK *JB
NHTSA ODI #10117023
73,000 miles · May 20, 2004
Electrical SystemFire
A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10073954
Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
CONSUMER NOTICED AN ODD SMELL INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER HOOD AND A FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND PUT FIRE OUT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10040474
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire
THE ENTIRE ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED AND DESTROYED BEFORE THE FUSEABLE LINK OPENED THE CIRCUIT. THIS CLEARLY IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ELECTRICAL DESIGN. IN FACT, IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT IF MY WIFE HAD NOT TURNED THE CAR OFF WHEN SHE DID, DUE TO THE WHITE SMOKE FROM THE FAN, THE WIRING HARNESS WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. M…
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THE ENTIRE ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED AND DESTROYED BEFORE THE FUSEABLE LINK OPENED THE CIRCUIT. THIS CLEARLY IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ELECTRICAL DESIGN. IN FACT, IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT IF MY WIFE HAD NOT TURNED THE CAR OFF WHEN SHE DID, DUE TO THE WHITE SMOKE FROM THE FAN, THE WIRING HARNESS WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. MOST LIKELY THE RESULTING FIRE WOULD HAVE DESTROYED THE CAR AS THE MELTED WIRING HARNESS IS DIRECTLY UNDER AND AROUND THE ENGINES FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. PERSONALLY INSPECTED THE ELECTRICAL DAMAGE, AND WAS APPALLED BY HOW MUCH OF THE WIRING WAS FUSED TOGETHER. IF THE SAFETY DESIGN (FUSEABLE LINK) OF THE FAN CIRCUIT HAD WORKED PROPERLY THE ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN DAMAGED TO THE EXTENT I SAW AND MORE IMPORTANTLY MY WIFE WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN IN PERSONAL DANGER.I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO VOLVO AMERICA AND THEY CONTEND THAT A LOOSE FAN MOUNT CAUSED THIS ISSUE. THE REPAIR SHOP WAS AT A LOSE TO EXPLAIN THIS POSITION TO ME AS THEY COULD NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS WAS RELEVENT TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE CAUSED AS THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED DOWN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030704
Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2002
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING 40 TO 45MPH SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. VEHICLE STARTED FILLING WITH SMOKE, AND CONSUMER SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER DASH. INTERIOR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES BY TIME FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. *JG
NHTSA ODI #8006804
Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
LEFT FRONT CALIPER BROKE IN JANUARY 1999, ROGHT FRONT CALIPER BROKE AT THIS TIME. PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE 3 MONTHS TO GET VEHICLE REPAIRED. *AK CONSUMER HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE, INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WERE REPLACED, DASH BULB LIGHTS AND OTHER BULBS REPLACED. HEADLIGHT WIPER AND WINDSHIE…
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LEFT FRONT CALIPER BROKE IN JANUARY 1999, ROGHT FRONT CALIPER BROKE AT THIS TIME. PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE 3 MONTHS TO GET VEHICLE REPAIRED. *AK CONSUMER HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE, INSTRUMENT LIGHTS WERE REPLACED, DASH BULB LIGHTS AND OTHER BULBS REPLACED. HEADLIGHT WIPER AND WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES REPLACED. CONSUMER SMELLED AN ODOR IN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND LATER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT COOLING PROPERLY, DEALER REPLACED THE TEMPERATURE SENSOR, EVAPORATOR, RECEIVER, AND DRYER. BATTERY FAILED AND WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER HAD A RECALL ON THE CENTRAL ELECTRICAL RELAY AND WHEN RETURNING TO VEHICLE THAT WAS SHUT OFF THE PHONE AND RADIO WERE ON. COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED 4 TIMES, FINALLY DEALER REPLACED THE COOLANT FILLER CAP, ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS ILLUMINATED, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE PNP SWITCH, OXYGEN SENSOR, AIR PUMP, AND CHECK VALVE, THE AIR PUMP AND CHECK VALVE WERE REPLACED TWICE, THE TIMING BELT HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. ABS SENSOR CABLE HAS BEEN REPLACED, CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, FRONT BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, AND FRONT DISC BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *SLC
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.
ON SOME SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT HEATERS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT EXCESSIVE COMPRESSION OF THE SEAT CUSHION COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING OF THE SEAT HEATER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL DISCONNECT THE EXISTING WIRES AND INSTALL A NEW ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT AND CABLE HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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
6
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.
VOLVO IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION DEVELOPED DURING ITS INVESTIGATION.VOLVO'SSURVEY OF VEHICLES ROUTINELY BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT EAST-COAST DEALERSHIPS PRODUCED EVIDENCE THAT BARE METAL WIRES (THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BOTTOM) CAN CONTACT THE THERMOSTAT AND ELECTRICAL WIRESIN OR BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION.THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.VOLVO CONFIRMED IN TESTING THAT IF SUCH A CONDITION IS PRESENT, THE SHORT TO THE WIRE SEAT SUPPORT COULD CAUSE BURNING OF THE SEAT CUSHION WITHOUT ACTIVATING (OPENING) THE SEAT HEATER FUSE.VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY WITH AN ELECTRONIC TIMER DELAY UNIT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
VOLVO IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION DEVELOPED DURING ITS INVESTIGATION.VOLVO'SSURVEY OF VEHICLES ROUTINELY BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT EAST-COAST DEALERSHIPS PRODUCED EVIDENCE THAT BARE METAL WIRES (THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BOTTOM) CAN CONTACT THE THERMOSTAT AND ELECTRICAL WIRESIN OR BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION.THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.VOLVO CONFIRMED IN TESTING THAT IF SUCH A CONDITION IS PRESENT, THE SHORT TO THE WIRE SEAT SUPPORT COULD CAUSE BURNING OF THE SEAT CUSHION WITHOUT ACTIVATING (OPENING) THE SEAT HEATER FUSE.VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY WITH AN ELECTRONIC TIMER DELAY UNIT.
Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
VOLVO IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION DEVELOPED DURING ITS INVESTIGATION.VOLVO'SSURVEY OF VEHICLES ROUTINELY BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT EAST-COAST DEALERSHIPS PRODUCED EVIDENCE THAT BARE METAL WIRES (THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BOTTOM) CAN CONTACT THE THERMOSTAT AND ELECTRICAL WIRESIN OR BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION.THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.VOLVO CONFIRMED IN TESTING THAT IF SUCH A CONDITION IS PRESENT, THE SHORT TO THE WIRE SEAT SUPPORT COULD CAUSE BURNING OF THE SEAT CUSHION WITHOUT ACTIVATING (OPENING) THE SEAT HEATER FUSE.VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY WITH AN ELECTRONIC TIMER DELAY UNIT.
PE02029 · Passenger Compartment Fires
Opened Mar 7, 2002 · Closed Aug 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
No summary supplied.
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.
PE97045 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Oct 23, 1997 · Closed Feb 13, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ODI HAS RECEIVED FOUR OWNER COMPLAINTS OF VOLVO 850 ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES, ALL INVOLVING 1996 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES.TABLE 1 SHOWS THE DISTRIBUTION OF FIRE INCIDENTS KNOWN TO ODI AND VOLVO BY MODEL YEAR AND INCIDENT YEAR FOR ALL 1993-97 VOLVO 850 VEHICLES.VOLVO HAS CLASSIFIED MOST OF THE FIRES AS OCCURRING FROM UNDETERMINED CAUSES.IN THOSE FEW CASES WHERE PROBABLE OR POSSIBLE CAUSES WERE IDENTIFIED, NO COMMON DEFECT PATTERN OR TREND HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED, BUT ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ISSUE THROUGH 11998 WITH QUARTERLY REPORTS FROM VOLVO.
1996 Volvo 850 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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