NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
192 reports128,476 miles · Jul 21, 2005
Equipment
AT 49,706 MILES THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR UNDER WARRENTY. APPROXIMATELY 32,000 MILES LATER IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $800. APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES LATER IT NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THE WORK WOULD COST $800. WE LIVE IN A CLIMATE WHERE THE A.C. IS…
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AT 49,706 MILES THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR UNDER WARRENTY. APPROXIMATELY 32,000 MILES LATER IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $800. APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES LATER IT NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THE WORK WOULD COST $800. WE LIVE IN A CLIMATE WHERE THE A.C. IS USED ONLY IN SUMMERS. THE CAR IS SERVICED REGULARLY AT A VOLVO DEALERSHIP AND THE CAR IS GARAGED. BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO MAKE ANY CONCESSIONS SITING THE CURRENT MILEAGE AND THE FACT THAT THE PARTS ARE NO LONGER UNDER WARRENTY. I FEEL THE SYSTEM CONTINUES TO BE DEFECTIVE, WAS NEVER FIXED PROPERLY AND VOLVO SHOULD ACCEPT SOME MONETARY RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE IT RIGHT. AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES IN 125,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10129647
166,522 miles · Jul 12, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT: CALLER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER BUT THE CONSUMER FEELS THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURERS RECALL #140 AND THE NHTSA RECALL #04V368000 WERE TO REPLACE A HEAT SHIELD. THE CALLER SAID SHE FEELS THE DEALER DID NOT DO THE RECALL BECAUSE AFTER THE REPAIR FUEL LEAKED WHEN SHE FILLED THE TANK. NEITHER THE D…
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DT: CALLER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER BUT THE CONSUMER FEELS THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURERS RECALL #140 AND THE NHTSA RECALL #04V368000 WERE TO REPLACE A HEAT SHIELD. THE CALLER SAID SHE FEELS THE DEALER DID NOT DO THE RECALL BECAUSE AFTER THE REPAIR FUEL LEAKED WHEN SHE FILLED THE TANK. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10128402
102,240 miles · Jul 4, 2005
Exterior LightingCrashFire
SUDDENLY, HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS FAIL TO OPERATE WHEN SWITCH IS IN EITHER HEADLIGHT "ON" POSITION. WHEN SET IN PARKING LIGHT POSITION, DASH AND PARKING LIGHTS (ONLY) WORK. IF HIGH BEAM SWITCH IS MANUALLY HELD, THEN HIGH BEAMS (ONLY) WORK.
NHTSA ODI #10127379
20,937 miles · Jun 24, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
DT: ODOMETER/SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK, V THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE A FLAW IN VOLVO'S MANUFACTURING. *AK CONSUMER WANTS NAME AND CONCERN SHARED WITH VOLVO. CONSUMER STATES VOLVO KNOWS OF THIS WIDESPREAD ERA IN THEIR CARS. ON MAY 18TH 2005 CONSUMER SENT A LETTER TO VOLVO ABOUT THE ODOMETER PROBLEM, ALONG WITH A FOLLOW UP LE…
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DT: ODOMETER/SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK, V THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE A FLAW IN VOLVO'S MANUFACTURING. *AK CONSUMER WANTS NAME AND CONCERN SHARED WITH VOLVO. CONSUMER STATES VOLVO KNOWS OF THIS WIDESPREAD ERA IN THEIR CARS. ON MAY 18TH 2005 CONSUMER SENT A LETTER TO VOLVO ABOUT THE ODOMETER PROBLEM, ALONG WITH A FOLLOW UP LETTER ON JUNE 9TH 2005. CONSUMER STATES THAT FAILURE IS DUE TO A SMALL PLASTIC GEAR IN THE SPEEDOMETER.*SB *NM
NHTSA ODI #10124625
63,988 miles · Jun 22, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
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
96,000 miles · Mar 28, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10111640
75,000 miles · Mar 8, 2005
Visibility
I OWN TWO VOVO 850S. ONE IS A 1993 VOLVO 850 GLT AND THE OTHER IS A 1996 VOLVO 850 TURBO WAGON. THE AIR CONDITIONER IN BOTH CARS DEVELOPED LEAKS IN THE EVAPORATORS. THE 1996 CAR DEVELOPED THE LEAK IN 2003. I HAD IT REPLACED IN 2004 FOR $1400. THE 1993 VOLVO A/C EVAPORATOR ALSO DEVELOPED A LEAK. TO REPLACE IT WILL COST ANOT…
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I OWN TWO VOVO 850S. ONE IS A 1993 VOLVO 850 GLT AND THE OTHER IS A 1996 VOLVO 850 TURBO WAGON. THE AIR CONDITIONER IN BOTH CARS DEVELOPED LEAKS IN THE EVAPORATORS. THE 1996 CAR DEVELOPED THE LEAK IN 2003. I HAD IT REPLACED IN 2004 FOR $1400. THE 1993 VOLVO A/C EVAPORATOR ALSO DEVELOPED A LEAK. TO REPLACE IT WILL COST ANOTHER $1400 PLUS. VOLVO DENIES THAT THERE IS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE A/C EVAPORATORS. I SUGGEST THAT THE FACT THAT IN MY TWO CARS BOTH EVAPORATORS HAVE DEVELOPED LEAKS INDICATES THAT THERE IS A DEFECT. NOTE THAT LIVING IN VIRGINIA THE A/C IS USED SEASONALLY. I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO KNOW HOW MANY EVAPORATORS VOLVO REPLACES PER YEAR IN WHAT MODELS AND WHAT YEAR MADE. MY GUESS IS THAT THERE IS A PATTERN HERE THAT VOLVO IS AWARE OF (MUST BE) AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE DUE TO POTENTIAL COST TO THE COMPANY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10112700
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicInjury
WHILE DRIVING ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT ABS PUMP MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10091997
83,000 miles · Jul 30, 2004
Seat Belts
REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT WILL NOT EXTEND, RESULT IN INOPERABLE SEAT BELTS. *AK THE SEAT BELT FOR THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT WOULD NOT EXTEND TO ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO FASTEN THE CHILD IN THE SEAT. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10079906
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND REMAINED ON. FOLLOWING THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ABS MODULA…
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WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND REMAINED ON. FOLLOWING THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ABS MODULAR UNIT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10081461
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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