NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
192 reports78,600 miles · Sep 20, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE ABS AND TRACS OFF IDIOT LAMPS TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY IN MY 850. I CAN BE DRIVING AROUND ON DRY PAVEMENT WITH VERY LITTLE THROTTLE INPUT, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WILL ENGAGE (AUDIBLE WHIRRING OF THE ABS MODULATOR PUMP AND STIFF PULSATING BRAKE PEDAL - QUICKLY APPLIED TO CONFIRM MY SUSPICION). THIS WILL LIGHT THE LAMP…
Read full complaint
THE ABS AND TRACS OFF IDIOT LAMPS TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY IN MY 850. I CAN BE DRIVING AROUND ON DRY PAVEMENT WITH VERY LITTLE THROTTLE INPUT, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WILL ENGAGE (AUDIBLE WHIRRING OF THE ABS MODULATOR PUMP AND STIFF PULSATING BRAKE PEDAL - QUICKLY APPLIED TO CONFIRM MY SUSPICION). THIS WILL LIGHT THE LAMPS. LIKEWISE, I CAN BE BRAKING ON A DRY SURFACE AT A LOW DECEL, AND THE ABS WILL ENGAGE. THIS WILL ALSO LIGHT THE LAMPS AND SHUT OFF ABS/TRACS. AFTER A WHILE, THE LIGHTS WILL TURN OFF, AND ABS AND TRACS FUNCTION NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT ONCE OR TWICE A DAY SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT ON 7/11/03. I'VE GIVEN AN ESTIMATE NUMBER IN THE FIELD BELOW. FURTHERMORE, THE SPEEDOMETER FUNCTIONS INTERMITTENTLY. I'VE TRACED THIS ISSUE BACK TO A FAULTY CONNECTION BETWEEN THE VEHICLE WIRING HARNESS AND THE ABS CONTROLLER. THE TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE WIRING HARNESS HAS NOT BEEN FASTENED SECURELY IN THE PLUG ON THE ABS CONTROLLER. REMOVING AND REPLUGGING THE WIRING HARNESS INTO THE ABS CONTROLLER TEMPORARILY SOLVES THE PROBLEM. THE WIRING HARNESS IS COMING LOOSE IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED AND IS NOT ABUSED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWO TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT ON 7/11/03.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10039198
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…
Read full complaint
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
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire
THE ENTIRE ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED AND DESTROYED BEFORE THE FUSEABLE LINK OPENED THE CIRCUIT. THIS CLEARLY IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ELECTRICAL DESIGN. IN FACT, IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT IF MY WIFE HAD NOT TURNED THE CAR OFF WHEN SHE DID, DUE TO THE WHITE SMOKE FROM THE FAN, THE WIRING HARNESS WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. M…
Read full complaint
THE ENTIRE ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS WAS MELTED AND DESTROYED BEFORE THE FUSEABLE LINK OPENED THE CIRCUIT. THIS CLEARLY IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ELECTRICAL DESIGN. IN FACT, IT IS MY CONTENTION THAT IF MY WIFE HAD NOT TURNED THE CAR OFF WHEN SHE DID, DUE TO THE WHITE SMOKE FROM THE FAN, THE WIRING HARNESS WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE. MOST LIKELY THE RESULTING FIRE WOULD HAVE DESTROYED THE CAR AS THE MELTED WIRING HARNESS IS DIRECTLY UNDER AND AROUND THE ENGINES FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. PERSONALLY INSPECTED THE ELECTRICAL DAMAGE, AND WAS APPALLED BY HOW MUCH OF THE WIRING WAS FUSED TOGETHER. IF THE SAFETY DESIGN (FUSEABLE LINK) OF THE FAN CIRCUIT HAD WORKED PROPERLY THE ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN DAMAGED TO THE EXTENT I SAW AND MORE IMPORTANTLY MY WIFE WOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN IN PERSONAL DANGER.I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO VOLVO AMERICA AND THEY CONTEND THAT A LOOSE FAN MOUNT CAUSED THIS ISSUE. THE REPAIR SHOP WAS AT A LOSE TO EXPLAIN THIS POSITION TO ME AS THEY COULD NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS WAS RELEVENT TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE CAUSED AS THE WIRING HARNESS MELTED DOWN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10030704
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
Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES. BRAKES WILL LOCK UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10029692
68,352 miles · Jul 3, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL TANK LEAKED FUEL WHERE IT WAS BOLTED TO THE TANK. *AK *CB *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10021552
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHEN FILLING FUEL TANK AT GAS STATION, JUST AS TANK IS NEARLY FULL, SEVERAL OUNCES OF FUEL LEAK FROM TOP OF TANK, DRIPPING UNDERNEATH CAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10021518
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED SMELLED STRONG CHEMICAL FUMES IN PASSENGER COMPARTMEN DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE FUEL TANK. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10022750
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 30, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
INTERMITTENT AND ONGOING PROBLEM WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING PULSATION, AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. VEHICLE BEEN TO THE DEALER ON SIX OCCASION. DEALER REPLACED ABS MODULE, BUT EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WOULD REOCCUR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10021941
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.
Illustration