ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILURE ON 96 VOLVO 850 WITH JUST OVER 60,000 MILES ON IT. ABS LIGHT COMES ON DUE TO FAILURE IN UNIT. FAILURE IS A RESULT OF CRACKS THAT DEVELOP IN CIRCUIT BOARD. ABS FAILS & IS NO LONGER OPERABLE LEADING TO HAZARDOUS BRAKING CONDITION. THIS IS A COMMON & WELL KNOWN ISSUE ON 850 VOLVO'S. INTERNET MESSAGE BOA…
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ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILURE ON 96 VOLVO 850 WITH JUST OVER 60,000 MILES ON IT. ABS LIGHT COMES ON DUE TO FAILURE IN UNIT. FAILURE IS A RESULT OF CRACKS THAT DEVELOP IN CIRCUIT BOARD. ABS FAILS & IS NO LONGER OPERABLE LEADING TO HAZARDOUS BRAKING CONDITION. THIS IS A COMMON & WELL KNOWN ISSUE ON 850 VOLVO'S. INTERNET MESSAGE BOARDS AND VOLVO REPAIR SPECIALISTS AND MEMBERS OF VOLVO COMMUNITY ALL KNOW THAT ABS LIGHT COMING ON MEANS 90% CHANCE TOTAL FAILURE OF UNIT IS INVOLVED. REPAIR COST IS PROHIBITIVE. REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE UNIT IS $650 TO $900.00.
NHTSA ODI #10126178
50,000 miles · Aug 5, 2003
Service Brakes, Air
1996 850 VOLVO WAGON ABS BRAKE FAILURE. THE ABS BRAKE COMPUTER PERIODICALLY TURNS ITSELF OFF (THE ABS DASH LIGHT COMES ON). THIS WOULDN'T BE TOO BAD BECAUSE THE BRAKES WILL WORK FINE EVEN IF THE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. EXCEPT WHEN THE SYSTEM FIRST MALFUNCTIONS. THERE IS A ONE TO TWO SECOND INTERVAL WHEN YOU TRY TO APPLY TH…
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1996 850 VOLVO WAGON ABS BRAKE FAILURE. THE ABS BRAKE COMPUTER PERIODICALLY TURNS ITSELF OFF (THE ABS DASH LIGHT COMES ON). THIS WOULDN'T BE TOO BAD BECAUSE THE BRAKES WILL WORK FINE EVEN IF THE ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. EXCEPT WHEN THE SYSTEM FIRST MALFUNCTIONS. THERE IS A ONE TO TWO SECOND INTERVAL WHEN YOU TRY TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL FIGHTS YOU, VIBRATES, THEN ALLOWS NORMAL BRAKING (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE ABS CHATTER THAT HAPPENS WHEN IT IS WORKING PROPERLY AND A WHEEL IS SLIPPING). MY ABS SYSTEM TURNS OFF EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR, YOU'RE JUST NEVER SURE WHEN. IF IT DOES WHEN I'M BRAKING, MY BRAKING IS IMPAIRED FOR A COUPLE SECONDS - THAT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC! MY VOLVO DEALER SAYS THEY'VE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE "COMPUTERS", BUT IT DOESN'T AFFECT SAFETY. FURTHERMORE, IT COSTS $700 TO FIX! I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY FACTOR AND I'M APPALLED THAT VOLVO (OF ALL COMPANIES) DOESN'T ISSUE A RECALL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030864
144,000 miles · Jul 29, 2003
Service Brakes, Air
ABS COMPUTER FAILURE, ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON, ABS FAILS TO FUNCTION AT ALL. TSB ON WIRE CRIMP DONE ALLREADY. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF CASES OF FAILED ABS ECU MODULES, SOME ARE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND DONT EVEN GET REPORTED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030365
148,000 miles · Jan 5, 2003
Service Brakes, Air
ABS/TRACS MODULE DEFECTIVE
NHTSA ODI #10000530
Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2002
Service Brakes, Air
THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED CAUSING BOTH THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM TO BE INTERMITTENTLY INOPERABLE. BASED ON MY OWN RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT VOLVO NORTH AMERICA CLAIMS THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF. MULTIPLE WEBSITES HAVE POSTINGS FROM OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AS THERE …
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THE ABS CONTROL MODULE HAS FAILED CAUSING BOTH THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM TO BE INTERMITTENTLY INOPERABLE. BASED ON MY OWN RESEARCH, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT VOLVO NORTH AMERICA CLAIMS THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF. MULTIPLE WEBSITES HAVE POSTINGS FROM OWNERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AS THERE IS INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THIS SYSTEM AND VOLVO WILL NOT REPAIR IT AT THEIR COST. DT
NHTSA ODI #770479
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2002
Service Brakes, Air
NO SUMMARY. DT
NHTSA ODI #768787
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2002
Service Brakes, Air
OTHER VOLVO 850/S70 OWNERS ALSO HAVE THE SAME ABS MODULE FAILURES. MR
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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