IllustrationABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE ON 1987 VOLVO 850
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
Service Brakes, Air complaints
8 reportsABS LIGHT COMING ON AND STAYING ON REPEATEDLY. AFTER NUMEROUS RESETS BY MY VOLVO REPAIR SHOP, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ABS TRACTION CONTROL COMPUTER MODULE HAD FAILED. THE UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $642.93. THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE DOING AN AVERAGE OF ONE OR TWO SUCH REPLACEMENTS ON THIS MOD…
Read full complaint
ABS LIGHT COMING ON AND STAYING ON REPEATEDLY. AFTER NUMEROUS RESETS BY MY VOLVO REPAIR SHOP, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ABS TRACTION CONTROL COMPUTER MODULE HAD FAILED. THE UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $642.93. THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE DOING AN AVERAGE OF ONE OR TWO SUCH REPLACEMENTS ON THIS MODEL PER WEEK AND THAT THEY BELIEVED THIS TO BE A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURE FOR THIS MODEL IN GENERAL. THE REPAIR SHOP WORKS EXCLUSIVELY ON VOLVOS, HUBBARD WOODS MOTORS, 985 GREENBAY ROAD, WINNETKA, IL, 60093; PHONE 8470446-0711; OWNER, ROBERT L. BERGER. *NM
ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILURE. *AK
1997 VOLVO 850 MODEL ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILS MAKING THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES MALFUNCTION. *AK
MY ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND I GOT IT CHECKED AT MY MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED OF THE REOCCURING PROBLEM WITH THE MODULE ON MY MAKE AND YEAR. I WAS ALSO INFORMED OF THE AROUND $600 BILL IT WILL BE TO REPLACE SOMETHING THAT SEEMS TO BE SERIOUS ENOUGH FOR VOLVO TO RECALL. - NB.*AK
I OWN A 1997 VOLVO 850 GLT. IT HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS COMPUTER, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR I GOT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND TOOK IT IN WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH 10,000 MILES REMAINING ON THE WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND SEVERAL CALLS TO CUSTOMER SERVIC…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 1997 VOLVO 850 GLT. IT HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS COMPUTER, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR I GOT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND TOOK IT IN WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH 10,000 MILES REMAINING ON THE WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND SEVERAL CALLS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN I BOUGHT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BUT IS COVERED NOW, FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM.
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILS EACH TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. THIS FAILURE CAUSES MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WWW.BRICKBOARD.COM IS A GOOD SOURCE FOR OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT IS VERY WIDESPREAD AND THE DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE PART COSTS $500 TO REPLACE AND IT CAN ALSO FAIL AT ANY TIME. D…
Read full complaint
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILS EACH TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. THIS FAILURE CAUSES MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WWW.BRICKBOARD.COM IS A GOOD SOURCE FOR OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT IS VERY WIDESPREAD AND THE DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE PART COSTS $500 TO REPLACE AND IT CAN ALSO FAIL AT ANY TIME. DT
THERE IS A SHORT IN THE ABS ECU AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES OF THIS THAT CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.BRICKBOARD.COM A VOLVO OWNERS WEBBOARD AND YOU CAN SEARCH THERE SITE AND FIND A LOT OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND WITH THIS SHORTAGE. THE LIGHT COMES ON AND WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE CAR DOES NOT OPERATE WITH ANIT-LOCK BRAKES AND WILL LOCK UP.…
Read full complaint
THERE IS A SHORT IN THE ABS ECU AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES OF THIS THAT CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.BRICKBOARD.COM A VOLVO OWNERS WEBBOARD AND YOU CAN SEARCH THERE SITE AND FIND A LOT OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND WITH THIS SHORTAGE. THE LIGHT COMES ON AND WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE CAR DOES NOT OPERATE WITH ANIT-LOCK BRAKES AND WILL LOCK UP. DT
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.