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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Suspension complaints

4 reports
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127,700 miles · Jul 14, 2008
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLVO 850 WAGON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION FOR TIRE REPAIR AND THE FOLLOWING FAILURES WERE DISCOVERED: BOTH REAR BRAKES AND CALIPERS WERE SEIZED AND COMPLETELY INOPERABLE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ALSO INOPERABLE, AND BOTH FRONT INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE EST…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLVO 850 WAGON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION FOR TIRE REPAIR AND THE FOLLOWING FAILURES WERE DISCOVERED: BOTH REAR BRAKES AND CALIPERS WERE SEIZED AND COMPLETELY INOPERABLE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ALSO INOPERABLE, AND BOTH FRONT INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $1,230. THE VOLVO DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FOLLOWING FAILURES: BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE DRIVER SIDE TIE RODS FAILED, AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES FAILED, INCLUDING THE ROTOR AND CALIPERS, AND THERE WAS AN EMISSIONS ISSUE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE NEEDS COMPLETE EMISSION REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JUNE 21, 2008 AND PASSED INSPECTION ON JUNE 25, 2008. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,700.

NHTSA ODI #10234149

60,000 miles · Aug 17, 2006
SuspensionTires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE STEERING WAS ERRATIC. THE CONTACT NOTICED UNUSUAL HYDROPLANING IN SMALL PUDDLES OF WATER ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT NOTICED CHUNKS ON THE OUTSIDE RIM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THERE WAS UNUSUAL WEAR ON THE TIRES. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE STEERING WAS ERRATIC. THE CONTACT NOTICED UNUSUAL HYDROPLANING IN SMALL PUDDLES OF WATER ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT NOTICED CHUNKS ON THE OUTSIDE RIM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THERE WAS UNUSUAL WEAR ON THE TIRES. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ALIGNMENT WAS BAD ON THE VEHICLE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS MICHELIN. MODEL: ENERGY. SIZE: 195/60/R15.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10165735

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

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

NHTSA ODI #567248

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 1997
Suspension

OWNER STATES THAT HIS VEHICLE DRIFTS TO THE LEFT WHILE DRIVING AND THAT DEALERS HAVE REPLACED RACK & PINION BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #811833

Official recalls

3

04V368000 · 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

3

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.