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
What owners actually said
107 reports
85,000 miles · Apr 7, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE ABS CONTROL UNIT ON MY 1997 VOLVO 850 HAS AN INTERNAL SHORT OR LOOSE CONNECTION AS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP. IF YOU DO RESEARCH INTO THIS MATTER ON THE INTERNET OR BY CALLING THE VOLVO DEALERSHIPS, YOU WILL FIND THIS PROBLEM OCCURS VERY FREQUENTLY IN THESE CARS. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS ON THERE IS NO ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, AND THIS C…
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THE ABS CONTROL UNIT ON MY 1997 VOLVO 850 HAS AN INTERNAL SHORT OR LOOSE CONNECTION AS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP. IF YOU DO RESEARCH INTO THIS MATTER ON THE INTERNET OR BY CALLING THE VOLVO DEALERSHIPS, YOU WILL FIND THIS PROBLEM OCCURS VERY FREQUENTLY IN THESE CARS. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS ON THERE IS NO ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, AND THIS CAN CAUSE THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP DURING HARD BRAKING APPLICATIONS, AND EASILY ON MOIST OR WET ROADS. AS A MAJOR SAFETY FEATURE ON THESE CARS AND ESPECIALLY A VOLVO, WHO IS KNOWN FOR THEIR SAFE AUTOMOBILES THIS CONTROL MODULE FAILS VERY OFTEN AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF BRAKES LOCK UP IN A PANIC STOP. JB
NHTSA ODI #10014095
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2003
Seats
THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10009699
45,000 miles · Jan 24, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DEFECTIVE ABS MODULE ON 1997 VOLVO 850 T5
NHTSA ODI #10003367
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2003
Service Brakes, Air
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…
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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…
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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
NHTSA ODI #769911
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ISSUE MY ABS CONTROL BLOCK MOTOR OPERATED FOR 30-40 SECONDS RECENTLY WHILE TRAVELING AT 25-30 MPH WITH NO ABS/TRAX LITES ILLUMINATED. (BUZZING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD) BRAKES WERE VERY HARD WITH REDUCED STOPPING POWER DURING MOTOR OPERATION ON SLOWING TO 5 MPH. THE MOTOR STOPPED AND ABS/TRAX LITES ILLUMINATED WITH BRAKE FUNCTION R…
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ISSUE MY ABS CONTROL BLOCK MOTOR OPERATED FOR 30-40 SECONDS RECENTLY WHILE TRAVELING AT 25-30 MPH WITH NO ABS/TRAX LITES ILLUMINATED. (BUZZING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD) BRAKES WERE VERY HARD WITH REDUCED STOPPING POWER DURING MOTOR OPERATION ON SLOWING TO 5 MPH. THE MOTOR STOPPED AND ABS/TRAX LITES ILLUMINATED WITH BRAKE FUNCTION RETURNING TO NORMAL. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE I CONSIDER THIS A RECALL ISSUE. ABS CONTROL FAILURE ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES BY 850 OWNERS ON WWW.BRICKBOARD.COM. OBVIOUSLY UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A $600-700 REPAIR FOR AN ESSENTIAL SAFETY SYSTEM ON THIS CAR AND THIS SYSTEM SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. APPRECIATE YOUR HELP AND CONSIDERATION. DT
NHTSA ODI #769778
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2002
Power TrainStructure
THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR INTO SECOND. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED NO WARNING LIGHTS . *SCC
NHTSA ODI #567844
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2002
Service Brakes, Air
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.…
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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
NHTSA ODI #768865
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicWheels
DUE TO FAILURE OF THIS PART I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS WHEEL LOCK-UPS AND EMERGENCY BRAKING. SEE "BRICKBOARD.COM" UNDER "850" FOR MANY REPORTS OF FAILURES. MR
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
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