THE TIRE DEALER RECOMMENDED MICHELIN PRIMACY MXV4 AS A REPLACEMENT TIRE FOR MY 1997 VOLVO 850 (NORMALLY ASPIRATED) SEDAN. THE MICHELIN WEBSITE DESCRIBED THIS TIRE AS AN "ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTE" FOR THE TIRES SPECIFIED BY VOLVO BECAUSE MICHELIN NO LONGER OFFERS HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES IN MY SIZE. STOPPING POWER IS MUCH WORSE WITH T…
Read full complaint
THE TIRE DEALER RECOMMENDED MICHELIN PRIMACY MXV4 AS A REPLACEMENT TIRE FOR MY 1997 VOLVO 850 (NORMALLY ASPIRATED) SEDAN. THE MICHELIN WEBSITE DESCRIBED THIS TIRE AS AN "ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTE" FOR THE TIRES SPECIFIED BY VOLVO BECAUSE MICHELIN NO LONGER OFFERS HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES IN MY SIZE. STOPPING POWER IS MUCH WORSE WITH THESE NEW MICHELIN TIRES. THEY SQUEAL EASILY, EVEN AT VOLVO'S HIGHEST RECOMMENDED AIR PRESSURE (36PSI). I HAD DIFFICULTY STOPPING FROM 50MPH IN AN EMERGENCY, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY 17 YEAR OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE. I BLAME THESE NEW "COMFORT ORIENTED" TIRES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10628627
240,000 miles · Dec 5, 2007
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLVO 850. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MINUTES. THE TREAD THEN BEGAN TO SEPARATE FROM THE TIRE AND CONTINUOUSLY STRUCK THE FENDER OF THE VEHICLE. THE FENDER, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, AND ROCKER PANEL WERE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT NOTIFI…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLVO 850. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MINUTES. THE TREAD THEN BEGAN TO SEPARATE FROM THE TIRE AND CONTINUOUSLY STRUCK THE FENDER OF THE VEHICLE. THE FENDER, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, AND ROCKER PANEL WERE DAMAGED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 240,000.
NHTSA ODI #10210919
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 …
Read full complaint
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 · Jan 2, 2002
Tires
THE UNIROYAL FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE THAT I RECENTLY SPOKE TO BY TELEPHONE WAS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE FAILURE OF ALL 4 OF THESE TIRES THAT I PURCHASED IN MAY 1999. I FELT THAT IT WAS CRUCIAL TO NOTIFY THE NHTSA REGARDING MY EXPERIENCE WITH THESE UNIROYAL TIRES, SO THAT I MAY PREVENT A FELLOW CITIZEN(S) FROM SUFFERING FROM INJUR…
Read full complaint
THE UNIROYAL FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE THAT I RECENTLY SPOKE TO BY TELEPHONE WAS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE FAILURE OF ALL 4 OF THESE TIRES THAT I PURCHASED IN MAY 1999. I FELT THAT IT WAS CRUCIAL TO NOTIFY THE NHTSA REGARDING MY EXPERIENCE WITH THESE UNIROYAL TIRES, SO THAT I MAY PREVENT A FELLOW CITIZEN(S) FROM SUFFERING FROM INJURY AND/OR DEATH AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF ONE OF THE SAME TIRES. *AK (DOT NUMBER: BET2 BEUU TIRESIZE: P205/55R16)
NHTSA ODI #756336
Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 1999
Tires
THERE ARE BUBBLES WITHIN THE FRONT TIRES, AND SOMETIMES WITHIN THE REARS TIRE.CONSUMER HAD THE TIRES REPAIRED 11 TIMES. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848206
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 1999
Tires
VOLVO PUT THE WRONG TIRES ON VEHICLE. THEY ARE HIGH PERFORMANCE RACE TIRES INSTEAD OF ROAD TIRES. WHENEVER HITTING A BUMP, A BUBBLE FORMS IN THE TIRES. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED THE TIRES 5 TIMES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836018
Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 1997
Tires
PERRELI (205/45-17) TIRES BLEW OUT, THE DESIGN AND SIZE FOR THIS VEHICLE IS INAPPROPRIATE.
NHTSA ODI #514247
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 1997
Tires
VEHICLE HAD WRONG SIZE/TYPE OF TIRES. THE TIRES ON VEHICLE WERE DESIGNED FOR ON RACETRACK DRIVING. *AK
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.
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.
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 ↗
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.
1997 Volvo 850 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year