IllustrationINTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. NLM
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
What owners actually said
107 reportsCONSUMER 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
PLASTIC ON CHILD SEAT LOCK CRACKED/ASSEMBLY FELL APART WITHOUT ANY STRESS OR TENSION BEING APPLIED TO IT.
THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FOR 3-5 MINUTES WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON WHEN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT BOTTOM HEATER CAUGHT FIRE, THE INVESIGATOR REPORTED THAT THIS FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF UNREGULATED OPERATION OF THE HEATER PAD WIRES. NLM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
RUBBER BOOTS FELL OFF BOTH FRONT CALIPERS, CAUSING CYLINDER WALLS TO RUST AND CORRIDE WHICH, IN TURN, WOULD NOT ALLOW PISTONS TO DETRACT. DEALER SAID THE CALIPERS WERE A MANUFACTURING DESIGN DEFECT BECASUE THE BOOTS SHOULD NOT FALL OFF SO EAISLY AND IS CONTACTING THE VOLVO REPRESENTATIVE. *AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND RUNNING WHEN IT SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES AND BURNED UP. FIRE SEEMS TO HAVE ORIGINATED FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. CLAIM# 20-5456-209 *JG
DEALER HAD FOUND A CRACK ON AIR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, WICH WILL NOT LET HEAT TO GET ONTO FLOOR LEVEL. CONSUMER HAD NOTICED PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
AFTER NOTICING A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER . DEALER FOUND THAT LEAKAGE WAS COMING FROM FUEL LINES, WICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED DRIVER'S SEAT FIRE IN ODI #758194 - I SIMPLY WANT TO CROSS-REFERENCE ODI #'S 734813 AND 560677 WHICH HAVE THE SAME FACT PATTERN. WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS DEFECT? MY BABY COULD HAVE DIED FROM THE SMOKE INHALATION, LET ALONE THE FIRE IF WE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY REMOVE HER FROM THE V…
Read full complaint
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED DRIVER'S SEAT FIRE IN ODI #758194 - I SIMPLY WANT TO CROSS-REFERENCE ODI #'S 734813 AND 560677 WHICH HAVE THE SAME FACT PATTERN. WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS DEFECT? MY BABY COULD HAVE DIED FROM THE SMOKE INHALATION, LET ALONE THE FIRE IF WE HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY REMOVE HER FROM THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT THIS DEFECT BE INVESTIGATED AND REMEDIED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SINCE THE POTENTIAL DAMAGE IS SEVERE - I.E., DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY.
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.