1997 Volvo 850: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
89 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
85,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 43 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 89 complaints (10.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 30 | 33.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 7.9% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 7.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 3.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 8 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module | 6 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light | 3 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 8; Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler: 7; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module: 6; Tires: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 14 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 14; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 7
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 46 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 8 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 20 |
| 2003 | 21 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
2000: 8; 2001: 7; 2002: 20; 2003: 21; 2004: 12; 2005: 6; 2006: 4; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2014: 1; 2016: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10003214 · 2003-01-22 (January 22, 2003)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003214 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003367 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)
DEFECTIVE ABS MODULE ON 1997 VOLVO 850 T5
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003367 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009699 · 2003-03-03 (March 3, 2003)
THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT COLLAPSED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009699 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014095 · 2003-04-07 (April 7, 2003)
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 MODU…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014095 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017061 · 2003-05-05 (May 5, 2003)
I HAVE A 1997 VOLVO 850R THAT IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS/TRACS SYSTEM - THE LIGHTS CAME ON FOR THE ABS AND THE TRACS SYSTEM. IN RESEARCHING MY PROBLEM IT HAS BECOME APPARENT THAT THE 850 VOLVO IS KNOWN FOR FAILURES TO ITS ABS MODULE AND THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM IN GENERAL. THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND ON THIS COMMON PROBLEM LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALLED ITEM. APPARENTLY VOLVO NOW OFFERS A NEW AND IMPROVED ABS CONTROL MODULE (THAT THEY CHARGE DEARLY FOR) BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROU…
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017061 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019425 · 2003-05-08 (May 8, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019425 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020915 · 2003-06-02 (June 2, 2003)
I HAVE BEEN GETTING BURNED OUT LIGHT BULBS IN MY 1997 VOLVO FOR A LONG TIME AND EVERY TIME I GO TO THE DEALER I MENTIONED TO THEM AND THEY REPLACED BURNED BULBS AND I MENTIONED TO THEM TO CHECK ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIX THAT CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. THEIR ANSWERED WAS IT IS OKEY. I WONDER IF YOU HAVE HEARD THIS KIND OF PROBLEM FROM ANY OTHER OWNER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020915 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021944 · 2003-05-30 (May 30, 2003)
THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS HAVE A GAP IN THE WINDOW TRACK. A CHILD'S FINGER WAS PINCHED,AS A RESULT OF THE GAPWHILE THE WINDOW WAS BEING ADJUSTED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021944 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V314000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
Reported: 2002-11-19 (November 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V368000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
Reported: 2004-07-30 (July 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V235000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Switch
Reported: 1999-08-30 (August 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: DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
NHTSA campaign record ↗