Volvo 850 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
413 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1993 to 2000 model years. Data snapshot: . 131 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 43 of 413 complaints (10.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 84 | 20.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 44 | 10.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 22 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 17 | 4.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 3.9% |
| Engine operation | 15 | 3.6% |
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 | 43 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 27 |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler | 23 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 20 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 16 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 15 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 13 |
| Tires | 13 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 43; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 27; Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler: 23; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 20; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module: 16; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 15; Air Bags:Frontal: 13; Tires: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 24 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 28 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 43 |
| 150,000 and above | 25 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 24; 75,000 to 99,999: 28; 100,000 to 149,999: 43; 150,000 and above: 25
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (43). 282 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 | 31 |
| 1996 | 20 |
| 2000 | 55 |
| 2001 | 40 |
| 2002 | 75 |
| 2003 | 64 |
| 2004 | 37 |
| 2005 | 35 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 10 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
1995: 31; 1996: 20; 2000: 55; 2001: 40; 2002: 75; 2003: 64; 2004: 37; 2005: 35; 2006: 11; 2007: 6; 2008: 10; 2009: 5; 2010: 6; 2011: 5; 2012: 4; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2018: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 84 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 44 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 22 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 10021565 · 2003-05-21 (May 21, 2003)
NAR 05/21/2003. *MR DEFECTIVE ANTILOCK BRAKE PUMP. *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021565 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488147 · 1995-09-09 (September 9, 1995)
ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON SNOWY ROAD, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLIDE/LOSE CONTROL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488147 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017505 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
THE GAS TANK LEAKED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017505 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10108431 · 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)
ON JUNE 1, 2004, MY 1994 VOLVO 850 WAS LEAKING GAS ON MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO VOLVO VILLAGE IN CLEARWATER FOR REPAIR AND THEY REPLACED THE GAS TANK. I PAID $790. I LEARNED ON 2/1/05 THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR VOLVO 850 FOR THE GAS TANK, RECALL R139, INVOLVING 226,000 VOLVO 850S INCLUDING MY 1994 YEAR. RECALL NUMBER: 04V368000. MAKE : VOLVO MODEL : 850 YEAR : 1994 MANUFACTURER : VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V368000 RECALL DATE : JUL 23, 2004 COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE POTENTIAL NU…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,354 miles reported. Look up ODI 10108431 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100022 · 2004-11-16 (November 16, 2004)
SRS LIGHT IS ON. BROUGHT TO LOVERING VOLVO AND THEY ADVISED THE WHOLE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1200. IN READING PAST COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS SIGHT, I SEE QUITE A FEW ARIBAG PROBLEMS, ONE BEING THAT THE WIRES ARE CROSSED FROM PRODUCTION AND THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. I ALSO SEE MANY COMPLAINTS THAT AIRBAGS ARE DEPLOYING FOR NO REASON....IS THIS BECAUSE OF THIS WIRING??? I THINK VOLVO NEEDS TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE. RIGHT NOW I AM DRIVING WITHOUT AIRBAGS BECAUSE OF THE COST. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING THE SAME!!…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10100022 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10229332 · 2008-05-30 (May 30, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 VOLVO 850. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE. TWO MINUTES LATER, THE HOOD BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY COVERED FOR LIABILITY INSURANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CURREN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10229332 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484012 · 1995-07-07 (July 7, 1995)
STEERING WHEEL JAMS WHEN MAKING TURNS OCCASIONALLY. *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484012 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10471432 · 2012-08-19 (August 19, 2012)
THE CONSOLE AND STEERING WHEEL WERE WET FROM RAIN. THE SRS DASH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. ABOUT 5 MILES AFTER THAT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE BAG WAS THE ORIGINAL BAG. THE SRS LIGHT HAD GONE ON ONCE 20 MONTHS BEFORE WHEN THE CONSOLE GOT WET. THE DEALERSHIP RAN A TEST FOR ABOUT $115 EACH ON BOTH OCCASIONS AND SAID THE CAUSE OF THE SRS LIGHT COMING ON WAS INDETERMINATE. TWENTY MONTHS AGO A TOP, LONGTIME VOLVO DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER ASSURED ME THAT AIR BAGS NEVER GO OFF WITHOUT AN IMPACT. HE SAID THERE HAD NOT BEEN A SIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 240,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037093 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
FAILED TRANSMISSION AFTER 45,000 MILES. EXTENDED WARRANTY REPLACED IT. FAILED CONTROL SWITCH FOR AIR CONDITIONING A/C AND EVAPORATOR UNIT AT 135,000. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 505433 · 1996-06-07 (June 7, 1996)
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10131485 · 2005-08-03 (August 3, 2005)
I HAVE A 1993 VOLVO 850. IT HAS BEEN STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, LOW SPEEDS, FOR OVER 10 YEARS. NO ONE HAS EVER FIXED THE PROBLEM. SINCE YOU ARE INVESTIGATING CURRENT VOLVO MODELS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER INVESTIGATING THE OLDER MODELS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10131485 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152813 · 2006-03-15 (March 15, 2006)
GOOD EVENING;THIS IS MORE OF A QUESTION ABOUT A POTENTIAL VEHICLE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE. I AM INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A 1993 VOLVO 850 4 DOOR. SEDAN ,AUTO/A/C,4 CYL,LOADED. I WENT TO TEST DRIVE THE CAR AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHTS STAYED ON WHILE I DROVE THE CAR. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE LOT THE CAR STALLED,BUT RESTARTED RIGHT AWAY. THE USED CAR DEALER SAID THE CAR WAS LOW ON FUEL THAT'S WHY THE LIGHTS STAYED ON? I DOUBT THIS VERY MUCH!!ARE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THESE CARS FOR THIS PROBLEM?IF SO I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION. THANK YOU! J…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152813 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 3 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
1993: 0; 1994: 2; 1995: 2; 1996: 2; 1997: 3; 1999: 0; 2000: 0