ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1993 Volvo 850
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 73 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Volvo 850, most frequently naming the transmission, airbags and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 95 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 1995 | 2 | 2 |
| Jul 1995 | 1 | 3 |
| Aug 1995 | 1 | 4 |
| Sep 1995 | 1 | 5 |
| Dec 1995 | 1 | 6 |
| Feb 1996 | 1 | 7 |
| Apr 1996 | 1 | 8 |
| Jun 1996 | 2 | 10 |
| Aug 1996 | 1 | 11 |
| Oct 1996 | 2 | 13 |
| Dec 1996 | 2 | 15 |
| Feb 1997 | 4 | 19 |
| Mar 1997 | 1 | 20 |
| Apr 1997 | 1 | 21 |
| Nov 1997 | 1 | 22 |
| Jan 1998 | 3 | 25 |
| May 1998 | 2 | 27 |
| Aug 1998 | 1 | 28 |
| Oct 1998 | 1 | 29 |
| Jan 1999 | 2 | 31 |
| Feb 1999 | 2 | 33 |
| Mar 1999 | 3 | 36 |
| Sep 1999 | 1 | 37 |
| Nov 1999 | 3 | 40 |
| Jun 2000 | 1 | 41 |
| Jul 2000 | 1 | 42 |
| Sep 2000 | 1 | 43 |
| Dec 2000 | 2 | 45 |
| Feb 2001 | 1 | 46 |
| Mar 2001 | 1 | 47 |
| May 2001 | 2 | 49 |
| Jun 2001 | 2 | 51 |
| Jul 2001 | 1 | 52 |
| Sep 2001 | 1 | 53 |
| Oct 2001 | 1 | 54 |
| Jan 2002 | 1 | 55 |
| Feb 2002 | 1 | 56 |
| Mar 2002 | 1 | 57 |
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 58 |
| Aug 2002 | 2 | 60 |
| Sep 2002 | 2 | 62 |
| Dec 2002 | 2 | 64 |
| May 2003 | 1 | 65 |
| Aug 2003 | 1 | 66 |
| Sep 2003 | 1 | 67 |
| Aug 2004 | 1 | 68 |
| Nov 2004 | 1 | 69 |
| Aug 2005 | 1 | 70 |
| Mar 2006 | 1 | 71 |
| Oct 2006 | 1 | 72 |
| May 2008 | 1 | 73 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Transmission2425.8%
- Airbags1010.8%
- Electrical88.6%
- Engine77.5%
- Fuel system66.5%
- Heating & air conditioning66.5%
- Body & structure66.5%
- Steering55.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSafety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
FUEL TANK LEAKS
THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WAS OPENED ON JUNE 11, 2003, BASED ON 54 REPORTS OF FUEL TANK LEAKS.THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE 1993 THROUGH 1996 MODEL YEAR (MY) 850 VEHICLES. MODEL 850 WAS ALSO PRODUCED IN MY 1997 AND WAS INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION. ANALYSIS OF THE DATA REVEALS TWO DISTINCT ISSUES. FIRST, THE 1994 THROUGH 1997 MY VEHICLES STAND OUT BY ACCOUNTING FOR 95 PERCENT OF THE REPORTED LEAKS.THESE VEHICLES SHARE THE SAME FUEL TANK DESIGN (PN 9142618). THE 1993 MY VEHICLE USES A DIFFERENT FUEL TANK DESIGN (PN 9141101).SECONDLY, THE FAILURES OCCURRED PREDOMINANTLY IN HOT CLIMATES, E.G., CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA, TEXAS, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, LOUISIANA, ETC.TESTING OF FUEL TANKS FROM CONSUMER VEHICLES AT THE VEHICLE RESEARCH AND TEST CENTER CONFIRMED LEAKS THROUGH CRACKS IN THE FUEL TANK WALL AT A HEAT SHIELD MOUNTING ATTACHMENT IN THE 1994 THROUGH 1997 MY FUEL TANKS (PN9142618). DETAILS OF THE TESTS ARE AVAILABLE IN TEST REPORT VRTC-DCD3060.VOLVO WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON ALL MY 1994 THROUGH 1997 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING 17 HOT STATES: CA, AZ, NM, TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, SC, FL, NC, TN, AR, OK, UT, NV, AND HI.ALL 1994 THROUGH 1997 MY VEHICLES IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE REMEDIED UNDER A SERVICE CAMPAIGN.THE REMEDY FOR BOTH THE RECALL AND SERVICE CAMPAIGN IS TO INSTALL A NEW BUSHING AT EACH HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT POINT (3 PER TANK).ALSO, ALL TANKS (VEHICLES IN ALL STATES) WILL BE INSPECTED FOR FUEL SEEPAGE AT THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT POINTS AND VOLVO WILL REPLACE ANY TANK SHOWING SIGNS OF FUEL SEEPAGE.THE NEW BUSHINGS WILL PREVENT HEAT SHIELD STRESSES FROM BEING TRANSFERRED TO THE THREE HEAT SHIELD MOUNTING ATTACHMENTS ON THE FUEL TANK.THE SAFETY RECALL IS FILED UNDER NHTSA SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 04V368.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
FUEL TANK LEAKS
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THISINVESTIGATION ON JANUARY 16, 2003.THE BASIS FOR OPENING THE INVESTIGATION WAS 15 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL STORAGE TANK.VOLVO PROVIDED 43 ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION, 4 OF WHICH WERE DUPLICATES OF THE 15 ODI REPORTS. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10229332
- Incident
- Jan 4, 2008
1993 VOLVO 850GLT ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. NEWSPAPER AD SAID 1999 THROUGH 2001, C70,S60,S80,V70 & V70XC. THE 850 WAS NEVER MENTIONED. HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 1998 & IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES. REAL SCARY, CAN IT BE FIXED? *NM
- NHTSA ID
- 10171591
- Incident
- Sep 19, 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! JM *JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10152813
- Incident
- Mar 14, 2006
- Mileage
- 200 mi
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
- NHTSA ID
- 10131485
- Incident
- Jul 30, 2005
- Mileage
- 50,000 mi
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!! VOLVO NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE ASAP BEFORE A LAWSUIT ARISES!!*AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10100022
- Incident
- Nov 15, 2004
THE ENGINE WILL CEASE SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A VOLVO DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING.*AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10086281
- Incident
- Jul 31, 2004
- Mileage
- 121,000 mi
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
- NHTSA ID
- 10037093
- Incident
- Aug 28, 2003
- Mileage
- 150,000 mi
1993 VOLVO 850 GLT HAS BEEN JUST "TURNING OFF" DURING DRIVING, 20-60 MPH. NEVER AT IDLE. YOU MUST COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN THE KEY OFF AND RESTART THE CAR. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND MY LOCAL GARAGE TWICE AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT CORRECTED. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION THAT ALMOST CREATED AN ACCIDENT THIS PAST WEEK. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND I FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.*AK
- NHTSA ID
- 10032928
- Incident
- Aug 16, 2003
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
EQUIPMENT
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT
Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.
EQUIPMENT
Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the vehicle. Swapping the Driver Information Module (DIM) is strictly forbidden as the DIM it is the main carrier of the odometer function, and will, in case of swapping, result in manipulated odometer value. Service: Please do NOT swap any control modules from vehicle to vehicle for testing, unless instructed to do so in a Vehicle Report by the Technical Helpdesk
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.