1996 Volvo 850 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
143 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
97,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 49 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 26 of 143 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 38 | 26.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 21 | 14.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 7.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 2.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 1.4% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.7% |
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 | 26 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 19 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler | 9 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 6 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 26; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 19; Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler: 9; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 6; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 6; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling: 5; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module: 4
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 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 14 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 9 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 14; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 9
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 94 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 23 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2002 | 29 |
| 2003 | 34 |
| 2004 | 14 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1996: 3; 2000: 23; 2001: 13; 2002: 29; 2003: 34; 2004: 14; 2005: 10; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 38 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 21 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 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 10000530 · 2003-01-05 (January 5, 2003)
ABS/TRACS MODULE DEFECTIVE
Owner-reported narrative. 148,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011583 · 2003-03-13 (March 13, 2003)
THE ABS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011583 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004488 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK HAS A LEAK AND IF FILLED OVER 12 GALLONS IT WILL LEAK FUEL, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS *TT
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004488 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013776 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
I NOTICED AN ODD NOISE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING ROLLING AROUND IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, BUT NOTHING WAS. AT TIME OF STATE INSPECTION, I ALERTED THE INSPECTORS. THEY FELT SOMETHING BUMPING FROM WITHIN THE GAS TANK. I DISASSEMBLED THE FLOOR COVERINGS AND INSPECTION PORTS FOR FUEL PUMP AND GAUGE SENDER. I REMOVED THE GAUGE SENDER AND LOOKED INTO THE TANK AND OBSERVED A PLASTIC BOWL-LIKE OBJECT SURROUNDING THE FUEL PUMP. I ROCKED THE CAR AND THIS BOWL WOULD SLOSH AGAINST THE PUMP. THIS OBJECT APPEARS TO BE A BAFFLE TO REDUCE SLOSHING AROUN…
Owner-reported narrative. 97,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013776 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010636 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
I AM THE OWNER AND DRIVER OF A 1996 VOLVO 850. ON SUNDAY MARCH 16TH 2003, THE DRIVER AND MYSELF WERE STOPPED IN A DRIVE THROUGH RESTAURANT WHEN MY DRIVERS SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CAR STARTED SMOKING FROM THE SEATS, THEN WE TURNED AROUND TO LOOK WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM WE NOTICED FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE SEAT INTO THE BACK SEAT AREA. WE YELLED FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER THAT THE DRIVER USED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE, WHILE PUTTING IT OUT HE SUSTAINED INJURY. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. THEY HAD ADVISED ME NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 117,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010636 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018074 · 2003-05-02 (May 2, 2003)
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE #02V314000 , ELECTRICAL SEAT HEATER, IN MARCH OF 2003. THE CONSUMER HAS MADE SEVERAL APPOINTMENTS TO HAVE TO RECALL REMEDIED. THE DEALER HAS CANCELLED ALL APPOINTMENTS MADE STATING THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068954 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
EXHAUST: CATALYTIC CONVERTEWR FAILED/PLUGGED UP. TRANSMISSION: SHIFT LOCK RELEASE BUTTON ON SHIFTER LOCKED UP.
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068954 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10459228 · 2012-05-22 (May 22, 2012)
RUNAWAY ACCELERATOR ? ON ENTERING INTERSTATE, I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS LOCKED INTO THE FLOORED POSITION. I HAD A RUNAWAY SITUATION WITH TRAFFIC. I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW THE CAR OR RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR. FORTUNATELY, I HAD THE KNOWLEDGE AND SENSE TO SLOW THE CAR. PUMPING THE BRAKES DID NOT HELP. I MANAGED TO HOLD THE BRAKES WHILE DOWNSHIFTING INTO THE LOW AND THEN LOWEST GEAR IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I MANAGED TO NEGOTIATE THE CAR TOWARD THE SHOULDER AND EVENTUALLY THREW THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE PARK GEAR. THE CAR JOL…
Owner-reported narrative. 185,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10459228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 785296 · 2001-02-20 (February 20, 2001)
POWER STEERING RACK FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AT 51000 MILES, 30000 MILES LATER, STEERING RACK CRACKED AND IS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 785296 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 891569 · 2001-06-28 (June 28, 2001)
WHILE TRAVELING 15-20MPH FRONT AXLE BROKE AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS TP6001201SECTION AND 79606470-77,FRONT END STEERING 850-992, HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THAT PROBLEM. BUT, REFUSED TO REMEDY PROBLEM AT NO COST. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 891569 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10376732 · 2011-01-14 (January 14, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING OVER DIFFERENT DEVIATIONS ON THE ROAD, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD FISH TAIL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO RECEIVE A JUMP START IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TRIED CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER VIA WEB MAIL BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151…
Owner-reported narrative. 150,805 miles reported. Look up ODI 10376732 at NHTSA ↗