NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
192 reportsMileage unknown · Jun 1, 1999
Vehicle Speed ControlInjury
WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 45 MPH THE CAR BEGIN TO RACE, AS THOUGH IT WERE STUCK IN GEAR, I APPLIED MY BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELETE (UP HILL) ON IT'S OWN. I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT TO NO AVAIL, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I STEERED THE CAR TO JUMP A CURB AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY …
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WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 45 MPH THE CAR BEGIN TO RACE, AS THOUGH IT WERE STUCK IN GEAR, I APPLIED MY BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELETE (UP HILL) ON IT'S OWN. I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT TO NO AVAIL, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I STEERED THE CAR TO JUMP A CURB AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I WAS NO LONGER IN CONTROL OF THE CAR, SO I TOOK OFF MY SEAT BELT AND EJECTED FROM THE CAR. THE CAR WENT HEAD ON INTO A TRUCK AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOTALLED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707078
Mileage unknown · May 17, 1999
Seat Belts
CSS TECH. REPORTS REAR LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS HAVE A SWITCHABLE RETRACTOR PLATE. HOWEVER, PLATE DOES NOT SWITCH AND LOCK IN PLACE WHEN APPLIED. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836893
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 1999
Electrical System
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, CAUSING THE ABS BRAKES TO OPERATE RANDOMLY, AND ALSO SEAT BELT INDICATOR WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834889
Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 1999
Power Train
VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT FROM PARK WITHOUT SHIFT LOCK. TSB ISSUED ON PART, AND PART WAS REDESIGNED. HOWEVER PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #703348
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 1999
Tires
THE PROBLEM I HAVE EXPERIENCED IS A CONDITION WHERE THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES FORMS A BULGE, CAUSING THE TIRE TO BECOME UNBALANCED AND IN DANGER OF BURSTING. FROM SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL TIRE DEALERS, IT SEEMS THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THE ULTRA-LOW PROFILE DESIGN OF THE TIRES WHICH MAKES THEM UNUSUALLY VULNERABLE TO DAMAG…
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THE PROBLEM I HAVE EXPERIENCED IS A CONDITION WHERE THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES FORMS A BULGE, CAUSING THE TIRE TO BECOME UNBALANCED AND IN DANGER OF BURSTING. FROM SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL TIRE DEALERS, IT SEEMS THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THE ULTRA-LOW PROFILE DESIGN OF THE TIRES WHICH MAKES THEM UNUSUALLY VULNERABLE TO DAMAGE FROM NORMAL ROAD HAZARDS. I HAVE HAD FOUR TIRES DEVELOP THIS CONDITION ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. SINCE I AM EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS ABOUT AVOIDING ROAD HAZARDS, AND PUT SNOW TIRES ON THE CAR IN THE WINTER, IT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT A COINCIDENCE. FURTERMORE, IT IS QUITE EVIDENT THAT MANY OTHER VOLVE 850 OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME BAD FORTUNE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 205-45/Z17 )
NHTSA ODI #703013
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 1999
SteeringStructure
POWER STEERING LEAK, CAUSING POOR STEERING, AND THE PUMP MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN TURNING. ALSO, DRIVER'S DOOR HINGE BROKE, CAUSING THE DOOR TO SWING BACK ON ITS OWN WHEN OPENING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #834346
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 1999
Tires
THIS IS MY SECOND VOLVO 850 S/W AND I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE PRIOR 1995 MODEL. BOTH VEHICLES HAVE LOW PROFILE, HIGH PERFORMANCE WHEELS AND TIRES WHICH FAIL ON THE POTHOLE ROADS. THE FAILURE IS A SAFTEY HAZARD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #701306
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 1998
Air BagsSeat BeltsSuspensionInjury
BOTH AIRBAG'S DEPLOYED AFTER RUNNING OVER A MANHOLE THAT HAD IT'S COVER MISSING, BREAKING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, AND INJURED THE DRIVER'S RIGHT WRIST. THERE WAS REAR SUSPENSION DAMAGE.
NHTSA ODI #539946
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 · Feb 27, 1998
Interior Lighting
SRS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYED ON FOR 2 DAYS, THEN WENT OFF. SERVICE DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #531537
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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