1995 Volvo 850 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
73 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
114,379 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 73 complaints (5.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 11.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 11.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Seat Belts: 4; Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 55 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 13 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 15 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 9 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1995: 13; 1996: 7; 2000: 15; 2001: 6; 2002: 9; 2003: 3; 2004: 6; 2005: 7; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10014063 · 2003-04-07 (April 7, 2003)
VOLVO 850 ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC MODULATOR PUMP DEVELOPED A SIGNIFICANT FLUID LEAK (3-6 OZ PER DAY, OR GREATER). THIS PART IS NON-REPAIRABLE AND MUST BE REPLACED AT GREAT COST (QUOTED $1900). AS A KEY BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENT, FAILURE OF THIS PART MAY CAUSE (1) SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTION DUE TO AIR & MOISTURE INTRUSION INTO THE BRAKE LINES, (2) NON-FUNCTIONING BRAKES WHEN GREATER AMOUNTS OF FLUID ARE SUDDENLY LOST, AND/OR (3) FIRE DANGER, WHEN DRIPPING BRAKE FLUID CONTACTS NEARBY EXHAUST MANIFOLD COMPONENTS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 81,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038932 · 2003-09-15 (September 15, 2003)
ABS/TRACKS SYSTEM FAILURE ON BOTH 1995, 850 AND 1998, V70. WHEN ABS/TRACK LIGHT(S) COMES ON, NO ABS/TRACK. LEFT FRONT WEEL MAY PULL WHEN BRAKING ON V70. VOLVO CORP. DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM... MADE SEVERAL CALLS, HAD INSPECTION/SERVICE DONE BY "CERTIFIED VOLVO SERVICE TECHNICIAN," VOLVO WILL NOT ACCEPT PROBLEM...
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038932 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10079731 · 2004-06-23 (June 23, 2004)
CONSUMER SAW/SMELLED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10079731 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083015 · 2004-07-30 (July 30, 2004)
I PURCHASED A USED VEHICLE AND FILLED THE TANK FULL UNTIL AUTO PUMP KICKED OFF, DROVE LESS THAN 1 MILE HOME AND PARKED IN THE GARGE. THE NEXT MORNING, GARAGE FILLED WITH GAS FUME ODOR, NO VISIBLE LEAK, RESEARCHED HAYNED REPAIR MANUAL, FOUND ACCESS COVER TO FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT AND FUEL PUMP INSIDE VEHICLE, REMOVED COVERS, FOUND FUEL LEAK AT FUEL PUMP COVER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 95,204 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083015 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 751419 · 2001-08-30 (August 30, 2001)
GEAR POSITION SENSOR,S1 & S2 SOLENOIDS: VOLVO HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT FOR SOME TIME AND SHOULD HAVE DECLARED A RECALL.( VOLVO EVEN LOST A SMALL CLAIMS SUIT IN CALIFORNIA OVER THIS FAILURE) WHILE VOLVO PAID $900 OF THE $1300 REPAIR BILL TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, THEY SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR THE WHOLE BILL. RE: HORN FAILURE, THE VOLVO MECHANICS SAID VOLVO HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ALSO, BUT REFUSES TO DO ANY THING ABOUT IT. MY CAR HAS NOT YET REACHED 50,000 MILES AND I HAVE HAD TO SPEND ABOUT $1,400 DOLLARS TO REPAIR A SUNROOF, REPLACE THE STE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 751419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 762647 · 2002-06-04 (June 4, 2002)
THE FIRST TWO COMPLAINTS ARE ACTUALLY THE SAME PROBLEM (DISREGARD THE 1ST, "STEERING"). THIS PROBLEM IS CLEARLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OF ANY REPORTED; WE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE HORN PERMANENTLY. MECHANICS HAVE TOLD US THAT THE "HORN CONTACTS" WITHIN STEER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 762647 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 980005 · 1996-03-01 (March 1, 1996)
THE VEHICLE STALLS/HESITATES/STUMBLES, CAN NOT ACCELERAT THE VEHICLE IN 5TH GEAR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 980005 at NHTSA ↗