IllustrationUNINTENDED ACCELERATION. CAR IN NORMAL DRIVE, JUST STARTS TO ACCELERATE. ALSO SOMETIMES ENGINE RACES WHILE IN PARK OR IDLE FOR NO REASON. OCCURS RANDOMLY, BUT HAS BEEN RECURRING DAILY FOR TWO WEEKS. HAVEN'T TAKEN TO DEALER YET. *TR
1997 Volvo 850
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Volvo 850 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 78.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 850 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
10–25K
425–50K
1450–75K
475–100K
13100–150K
7150K+
43 reports with mileage · 64 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seats. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports6 fire reports2 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
6 reportsTHIS COMPLAINT APPLIES TO TWO YEARS OF THE SAME MODEL 850 VOLVO,A 1994 AND A1997T. BOTH CARS HAD MAIN OIL SEAL FAILURES. THE 1994 CAR WAS A HIGH MILEAGE CAR WITH ABOUT 180,000 MILES IT STARTED LEAKING AT 150,000 MILES AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE TO POINT OF ONE TO TWO QUARTS A DAY. WE DECIDED TO TRADE THE CAR IN AND PURCHASE ANO…
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THIS COMPLAINT APPLIES TO TWO YEARS OF THE SAME MODEL 850 VOLVO,A 1994 AND A1997T. BOTH CARS HAD MAIN OIL SEAL FAILURES. THE 1994 CAR WAS A HIGH MILEAGE CAR WITH ABOUT 180,000 MILES IT STARTED LEAKING AT 150,000 MILES AND PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE TO POINT OF ONE TO TWO QUARTS A DAY. WE DECIDED TO TRADE THE CAR IN AND PURCHASE ANOTHER 850 BECAUSE WE HAD GOOD SERVICE OUT OF THE CAR EXCEPT FOR THE OIL LEAKS. I WAS HONEST WITH THE DEALER WHY I WAS TRADING IN THE CAR. THE DEALER WAS THE LOCAL DEALER FOR DAYTON OHIO,FRANK Z IMPORTS. THE SALESMAN FAILED TO INFORM US THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE 850 MODEL. NOW THE 1997 MODEL STARTED LEAKING AT 90,000 MILES. I DISCOVERED THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WHEN I RESEARCHED COMPLAINT FILES. I ALSO DISCOVERED THIS HAS CAUSED SEVERAL ENGINE FIRES DUE TO OIL LEAKING ON HOT EXHAUST PIPES . I FEEL THE DEALER OR MFG. SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE REPAIRS. TO CORRECT THIS OBVIOUS MFG.PROBLEM. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE CAR MFG. AND THE DEALER FOR NOT BEING HONEST ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I USED TO PRAISE VOLVO, FOR I AM A AIRCRAFT MECHANIC OF 25 YEARS. I WILL NO LONGER DO SO AND IF ASKED I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND A VOLVO OR FRANK Z IMPORTS. *JB
CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKES CONSTANTLY SCREECH, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THEY WERE JUST GLAZING, HOWEVER THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ABS STARTED ACTIVATING INAPPROPRIATELY WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT MOST LIKELY THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR.*JB
EXHAUST FUMES LEAKING INTO VEHICLE. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER SHOP, AND AT INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON ONE OCCASION EACH. BUT, PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK
AIR PUMP WAS INITIALLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ON 02/18/1999 (MILEAGE 47462) AND FAILED AGAIN 14 MOS. LATTER (THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY). THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS $400. THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS INITIALLY REPLACED 07/13/1998 (MILEAGE 33659) AND HAS FAILED JUST THIS WEEK (08/15). DON'T HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF THE REPAIR…
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AIR PUMP WAS INITIALLY REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ON 02/18/1999 (MILEAGE 47462) AND FAILED AGAIN 14 MOS. LATTER (THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY). THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR IS $400. THE ABS CONTROL MODULE WAS INITIALLY REPLACED 07/13/1998 (MILEAGE 33659) AND HAS FAILED JUST THIS WEEK (08/15). DON'T HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF THE REPAIR COST, BUT BELIEVE IT WILL BE $300-400. THESE 2 FAILURES DON'T SPEAK VERY WELL FOR THE QUALITY OF THE PARTS USED BY VOLVO.
WHILE DRIVING IN HARD RAIN CONSUMER SAW DASH LIGHTS LIGHT UP AND THE STEERING CONTROL FAILED AND CAR CUT OFF.AFTER ABOUT THRITY SECONDS THE CAR RESTARTED. *AK
Official recalls
304V368000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
Jul 30, 2004
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.
02V314000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Nov 19, 2002
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.
99V235000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
Aug 30, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
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
3EA02019 · 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.