SEAT HEATERS WERE REPLACED DUE TO RECALL, BUT HEATERS MALFUNCTIONED AFTER REPLACEMENT. DEALER WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *LA THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V314000. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT HEATERS WERE FULLY FUNCTIONAL AND THE CONSUMER HAD NO PROBLEMS. ONCE THE DEALER DID THE RECALL REPAIRS THE SEAT HEATERS NO LONGER…
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SEAT HEATERS WERE REPLACED DUE TO RECALL, BUT HEATERS MALFUNCTIONED AFTER REPLACEMENT. DEALER WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *LA THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V314000. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT HEATERS WERE FULLY FUNCTIONAL AND THE CONSUMER HAD NO PROBLEMS. ONCE THE DEALER DID THE RECALL REPAIRS THE SEAT HEATERS NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT ONLY THE WIRING WAS RE-ROUTED, THEREFORE THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10051710
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2003
Seats
AFTER RECALL REPAIRS ON THE SEAT HEATER IT NO LONGER WORK SPROPERLY. DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10022167
Mileage unknown · May 2, 2003
Seats
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE #02V314000 , ELECTRICAL SEAT HEATER, IN MARCH OF 2003. THE CONSUMER HAS MADE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS TO HAVE TO RECALL REMEDIED. THE DEALER HAS CANCELLED ALL APPOINTMENTS MADE STATING THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10018074
117,000 miles · Mar 17, 2003
SeatsFireInjury
I AM THE OWNER AND DRIVER OF A 1996 VOLVO 850. ON SUNDAY MARCH 16TH 2003, THE DRIVER AND MYSELF WERE STOPPED IN A DRIVE THROUGH RESTAURANT WHEN MY DRIVERS SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM THE SEATS, THEN WE TURNED AROUND TO LOOK WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM WE NOTICED FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE SEAT INTO THE …
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I AM THE OWNER AND DRIVER OF A 1996 VOLVO 850. ON SUNDAY MARCH 16TH 2003, THE DRIVER AND MYSELF WERE STOPPED IN A DRIVE THROUGH RESTAURANT WHEN MY DRIVERS SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM THE SEATS, THEN WE TURNED AROUND TO LOOK WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM WE NOTICED FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE SEAT INTO THE BACK SEAT AREA. WE YELLED FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER THAT THE DRIVER USED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, WHILE PUTTING IT OUT HE SUSTAINED INJURY. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THEY HAD ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE MY CAR. I WAS CONFUSED ON WHAT HAD HAPPENED SO I DECIDED TO RESEARCH "ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEMS IN VOLVO'S" WHEN I FOUND DIFFERENT ARTICLES RECALLING MY MAKE AND MODEL OF MY CAR THAT AS OF DECEMBER 2, 2002: 65,000 1996, 850 VOLVO'S WERE BEING RECALLED BECAUSE THE SEAT HEATERS COULD SHORT CIRCUIT AND CATCH FIRE. IN MANY OF THE ARTICLES IT HAS STATED THAT EITHER VOLVO HASN'T STARTED A CAMPAIGN YET TO NOTIFY THEIR CONSUMERS OR THAT VOLVO WOULD NOT RETURN CALLS TO COMMENT ON RECALLS. I CONTACTED THE NEAREST VOVLO DEALERSHIP TO ME AND THEY WERE VERY CONFUSED ON WHAT TO DO. THE MAN ON THE PHONE FIRST TOLD ME THAT HE HASN'T HEARD OF A RECALL FOR THAT BUT A FEW MINUTES LATER HE SAID THEY RECENTLY SERVICED HIS BOSS' 1996 850 VOLVO FOR THE SAME RECALL, HE SAID HE WOULD RESEARCH AND CALL ME BACK. EARLY AFTERNOON, I CONTACTED VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA TO COMPLAIN. I TOLD THE ABOVE STORY, WHERE THEY THOUGHT THEY WEREN'T LIABLE FOR THIS. ONE MAN SAID JUST BECAUSE IT'S RECALLED DOESN'T MEAN THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED WITH MY CAR. I THEN SPOKE WITH HIS SUPERVISOR WHO TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO TOW MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES AWAY, I HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL AND THAT'S WHERE AN ADJUSTER FROM VOLVO WILL INSPECT THE CAR. IN THE MEANTIME I CAN NOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE AND THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR A RENTAL WHILE MY CAR IS OUT OF COMMISSION. LIVID AT THE FACT THAT MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGERS WAS COMPROMISED! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10010636
85,000 miles · Feb 6, 2003
SeatsFire
1996 VOLVO 850 - DRIVERS SIDE SEAT, HOLE BURNED IN SEAT DUE TO HEATED SEAT FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10005430
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2002
SeatsFire
AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, I SWITCHED THE SEAT HEATER ON AND DROVE AWAY. WITHIN 2 MINUTES OF DRIVING, A SHARP PAIN DEVELOPED IN MY RIGHT BUTTOCK. WITHIN SECONDS A TRAIL OF DARK SMOKE ROSE FROM THE SAME AREA. AFTER LIFTING MY BOTTOM OFF OF THE SEAT AND REALIZING THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE SEAT I SHUTOFF THE SEAT WARMER. TH…
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AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, I SWITCHED THE SEAT HEATER ON AND DROVE AWAY. WITHIN 2 MINUTES OF DRIVING, A SHARP PAIN DEVELOPED IN MY RIGHT BUTTOCK. WITHIN SECONDS A TRAIL OF DARK SMOKE ROSE FROM THE SAME AREA. AFTER LIFTING MY BOTTOM OFF OF THE SEAT AND REALIZING THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE SEAT I SHUTOFF THE SEAT WARMER. THE RESULT OF THE INCIDENT LEFT A BURN MARK ON MY PANTS AND A CIGARETTE SIZED HOLE IN MY SEAT CUSHION. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND AFTER INVESTIGATION I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTEE. THE COST OF THE NEW SEAT WARMER AND REPLACEMENT OF THE SEAT CUSHION WAS 770 US DOLLARS. I REFUSED TO PAY AND ASKED THE DEALER TO SIMPLY DISCONNECT THE SEAT WARMER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #766384
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2002
SeatsFire
WHILE IN MOTION THE HEATERS IN THE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CAUSED THE CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE. CLAIM #13-7210-322 *JG
NHTSA ODI #6901063
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2002
SeatsFire
VEHICLE 1 NOTICED SMOKE AND THEN SAW A FLAME AS HE PULLED OUT OF A PARKING SLOT. THE DETERMINED CAUSE OF MALFUNCTION WAS THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER. INSURED REPLACED THE WIRING FOR THE HEATER ABOUT A YEAR AGO. CLAIM# 37-3190-422.*JG
NHTSA ODI #6901062
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2001
SeatsFire
WHIL DRIVING DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO SEAT HEATER. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE, AND SAID IT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK ALTHOUGH THE MANUFACTURER'S INSPECTOR INDICATED THAT THERE WAS DEFECT, THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM SERIOUSLY. *YH
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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