NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
46 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Dec 22, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR INTO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT SEEMED STRANGE TO ME, SO I ASKED IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MY TYPE OF CAR. I WAS TOLD THIS TYPE PROBLEM HAPPENS. BUT, IT CONTINUED TO BOTHER ME, SO I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE, AND I CAME ACROSS AN ARTICLE IN T…
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ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE CAR INTO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT SEEMED STRANGE TO ME, SO I ASKED IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MY TYPE OF CAR. I WAS TOLD THIS TYPE PROBLEM HAPPENS. BUT, IT CONTINUED TO BOTHER ME, SO I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE, AND I CAME ACROSS AN ARTICLE IN THE MARCH 1, 1999 ISSUE OF MOTOR AGE. ACCORDING TO THE ARTICLE, IF ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THE PROBLEM MAY BE A FAULTY ELECTRONIC BRAKE DISTRIBUTION SWITCH. THE ARTICLE WENT ON TO STATE THAT IF THE PART NUMBER STAMPED ON THE SWITCH IS 9157358, THE SWITCH MUST BE REPLACED, AND IF BRAKE FLUID HAS ALREADY LEAKED INTO THE SWITCH CONNECTOR, THE SWITCH, WIRING HARNESS AND THE ABS CONTROL UNIT MUST ALL BE REPLACED. ACCORDING TO THE ARTICLE, THIS IS CONSIDERED A SAFETY RECALL AND THE FACTORY HAS ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE TO OWNERS. I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE. AFTER READING THE ARTICLE, I CONTACTED VOLVO AND WAS TOLD THAT NO PARTS ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAVE BEEN RECALLED. HOWEVER, THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT MY CAR IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS SAME FAULTY SWITCH. VOLVO DENIES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SWITCH IN MY CAR OR ANY OTHER CAR, BUT I THINK THIS MATTER SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO FURTHER. SO FAR, I HAVE GOTTEN THE RUN AROUND. *AK
NHTSA ODI #738161
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #736321
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, PULLED OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE IN THE ABS WIRING HARNESS. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO HELP IN THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO …
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VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, PULLED OVER, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE IN THE ABS WIRING HARNESS. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO HELP IN THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #873849
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2000
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicFire
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #735077
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2000
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicFire
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #735024
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES FAIL AT LOW SPEEDS; PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING CAR. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY A GROANING SOUND. PERSISTENT PROBLEM, REPORTED REPEATEDLY TO TWO VOLVO DEALER SERVICE SHOPS SINCE SEPTEMBER 1997, WITHOUT SATISFACTORY REPAIR OR RESOLUTION.
NHTSA ODI #732724
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #729653
Mileage unknown · May 5, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. DRIVER PUMPED ON THE BRAKES AND THEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER , AND TWO MONTHS EARLIER, DEALER REPLACE THE REAR ROTORS. MAY01, 98, DEALER REWIRED THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE DRIVER H…
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WHILE DRIVING APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. DRIVER PUMPED ON THE BRAKES AND THEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER , AND TWO MONTHS EARLIER, DEALER REPLACE THE REAR ROTORS. MAY01, 98, DEALER REWIRED THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE DRIVER HEARS NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES OVER A LARGE BUMP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #823082
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #520870
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS SENSOR FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #603675
NHTSA investigations
6EA03008 · 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.
EA02019 · Seat Fires
Opened Aug 22, 2002 · Closed Dec 18, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; 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.
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.
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