1996 Volvo 850 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Volvo 850, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes5525.1%
- Fuel system2611.9%
- Engine219.6%
- Electrical177.8%
- Transmission125.5%
- Tires & wheels115.0%
- Seat belts115.0%
- Body & structure104.6%
- Interior & seats62.7%
- Steering62.7%
- Airbags52.3%
- Other / unspecified52.3%
- Visibility52.3%
- Exterior lighting41.8%
- Driver assistance41.8%
- Powertrain (other)31.4%
- Suspension20.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 1996 VOLVO 850 TURBO STATION WAGON. IT HAS ONLY 41,000 MILES BUT THE ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF. I AM TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE CAR. VOLVO CLAIMS IT IS ONE OF THE SAFEST CAR ON THE ROAD AND QUITE RELIABLE. I DISAGREE. PLS. ASK VOLVO TO ISSUE A RECALL AS THIS IS ANNOYING AND COULD PROVE TO BE DANGEROUS. *TR
1996 VOLVO 850 - ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENT - NOT SURE IF ABS IS WORKING OR NOT - TOLD BY VOLVO REPAIR SPECIALISTS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THE 96 & 97 MODELS - ALSO TOLD THAT ABS COMPUTER HAS TENDENCY TO BURN OUT RELATIVELY QUICKLY ON THIS MODEL & YEAR - TOLD TO GO AHEAD AND REPLACE IT - AGAIN - HAD IT REPLACED LESS THAN 4 YEARS AGO - *TR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY FUEL TANK STARTED LEAKING EXACTLY AS THE RECALL # 04V368000 DESCRIBES, WHERE THE HEAT SHIELD CONNECTS TO THE FUEL TANK. I FILLED UP, DROVE 3 MILES HOME, PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND SMELLED GAS, BUT DID NOT *SEE* ANYTHING AT THAT TIME. IT LOST 6 GALLONS OF FUEN IN ABOUT 3 HOURS HOURS. VOLVO SAYS THIS RECALL DOES NOT PERTAIN TO MY VEHICLE, BECAUSE THEY DO IT BY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBERS, BUT WOULD NOT SAY ANYTHING FURTHER. IT IS IN MY LOCAL SHOP PARKING LOT, I WAS UNABLE TO PHOTOGRAPH THE LEAK AS I AM DISABLED AND COULD NOT CLIMB UNDER THE CAR.
THIS VEHICLE HAS A LEAK AT A SEAM OF THE GAS TANK. CHEN ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WITH OBO 11 CODE P0455 EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED LARGE LEAK NO FLOW. A CERTIFIED VOLVO REPAIR FACILITY HAS VERIFIED CRACK AT SEAM FROM GAS TANK. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLVO 850 GLT. WHILE PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE REPORT INDICATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE GARAGE DOOR, HOUSE SIDING, AND DRIVEWAY SURFACE WERE DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, A SMALL AREA OF THE LAWN WAS DAMAGED BY THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED AND HAS NOT BEEN TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 155,000.
CONSUMER HAS ISSUES ABOUT 1996 VOLVO 850 ENGINE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT CARBON MONOXIDE SEEPED INTO THE VEHICLE AND WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. A MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE NEEDED SERIOUS ENGINE WORK. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A ONE-TIME RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED ONE YEAR BEFORE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *JB
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 151,805 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,805. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK LID LATCH WAS FAULTY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. UPDATED 04/29/11
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, ONCE THE CONSUMER TRIED TO START IT, IT WOULD NOT START. THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB CAME AND JUMPED THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER PROCEEDED TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND IT WAS REPLACED. CONSUMER RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE, AND THE PROBLEM OF STARTING THE VEHICLE RECURRED. AUTOMOBLE CLUB CAME AGAIN, AND THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE ALTERNATOR WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK *JB
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
1996 VOLVO 850 TURBO EVAPORATOR ON AIR CONDITIONER UNIT FAILED AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES. CAR WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2000 WITH ONLY 34,000 MILES ON IT. PART SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 60,000 MILES. *NM
SEAT HEATERS WERE REPLACED DUE TO RECALL, BUT HEATERS MALFUNCTIONED AFTER REPLACEMENT. DEALER WON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *LA THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V314000. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT HEATERS WERE FULLY FUNCTIONAL AND THE CONSUMER HAD NO PROBLEMS. ONCE THE DEALER DID THE RECALL REPAIRS THE SEAT HEATERS NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT ONLY THE WIRING WAS RE-ROUTED, THEREFORE THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. *NM
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK ( THE KEY WILL NOT GOT OUT THE IGNITION. MR
THE ABS/TRACS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING THAT THIS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY HAS BEEN ON FOR MANY MONTHS. THE DEALER HAS INDICATED THAT THE ABS/TRACS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A REPAIR BILL OF $750.00. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE VOLVOS AND I BELIEVE THAT THE VOLVO CORP. SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS FOUR COOPER ZEON SPT TIRES, SIZE 205 55 R16. THE CONTACT WAS ROTATING THE TIRES, WHEN HE NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WAS BALD. THE TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRES WERE DOWN TO THE WEAR BAR. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 100,00 AND THE APPROXIMATE TIRE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
ON FEBRUARY 9, 2008 I PURCHASED AT MAVIS TIRE FOUR (4) NEW COOPER ZEON TIRES WITH A RATING OF 400 AAA. IN APPROXIMATELY SIX THOUSAND (6,000) I FIND ONE PAIR COMPLETELY WORN WHILE THE OTHER SET FULL THREAD. I CALLED MAVIS TIRE AND SPOKE WITH STU WHO SAID HE IS THE MANAGER. HE SUGGESTED I COME INTO THE TIRE SHOP SO HE MAY INSPECT THE TIRES. ON MARCH 2011, I DROVE TO LONG BEACH, LONG ISLAND WHERE THE SHOP IS LOCATED. STU INSPECTED THE TIRES AND AGREED WITH ME THAT SOMETHING WAS DEFECTIVE WITH THE TWO TIRES IN QUESTION. STU THEN TOLD ME HE WOULD CHECK WITH HIS SUPERVISOR AND GET BACK TO ME. STU THEN CALLED ME AND TOLD ME TO PLACE A CLAIM WITH COOPER TIRES. I WAS ALSO TOLD THEIR PHONE NUMBER WAS AT THEIR WEB SITE. I COULD NOT FIND A NUMBER TO CALL BUT DID FIND AN PLACE TO SUBMIT AN EMAIL. I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THIS WAS THE RESPONSE: ?COOPER PRODUCTS ARE BACKED BY A WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIALS WARRANTY THAT OUR INDEPENDENT TIRE DEALERS ADMINISTER ON A REGULAR BASIS. ANY TIRE THAT IS DEEMED TO HAVE AN ELIGIBLE ADJUSTABLE CONDITION AS DETERMINED BY ONE OF OUR INDEPENDENT TIRE DEALERS SHALL BE PROCESSED ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF THE COOPER WARRANTY PROGRAM. OUR INDEPENDENT TIRE DEALERS MAKE THE DETERMINATION ON WHAT QUALIFIES AS AN ELIGIBLE ADJUSTABLE CONDITION, AND HANDLE ALL WARRANTY RETURNS. WE OFFER MILEAGE WARRANTIES ON SEVERAL TIRE MODELS. WE DO NOT OFFER MILEAGE ON PERFORMANCE TIRES, WHICH INCLUDES ALL ZEON MODELS. [XXX] CONSUMER QUALITY SYSTEMS COOPER TIRE & RUBBER CO. 800-854-6288 M-F 8-5 EST.? I THEN PLACE A CALL TO STU AND ADVISED HIM OF THE SITUATION. I NEVER MADE A CLAIM ABOUT MILEAGE WEAR. THERE IS APPROXIMATELY 6,000 MILES ON THE TIRES IN QUESTION. THE MUST BE A DEFECT IN THESE TIRES. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM MAVIS TIRE [XXX] HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH ME. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY CONTACT IN OVER A WEEK SO IT IS TIME OR ME TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION. IF I WAS NOT SO FASTEDIOUS IN CHECKING MY VEHICLE I NEVER WOULD HAVE KNOWN (OR EXPECTED) THESE TIRES TO FAIL. *TR
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CUSTOMER STATES THAT SHE BEGAN TO DETECT CREAKING SOUNDS EVERY TIME SHE OPENED AND CLOSED THE FRONT DOOR ON THE DRIVER' SIDE**CC THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FRAME OF THE DOOR. *JB
1996 VOLVO 850 WAGON TAILGATE HYDRAULIC HINGE JACK. JACK REPEATEDLY FAILED TO HOLD UP THE TAILGATE WHEN TEMPERSTURE DROPS BELOW 52 DEGREE, OR WHILE PARKED IN UPHILL POSITION. ON DECEMBER 18, 2003, IT ALMOST FELL ON MY 5 AND 3 YEARS OLD; I AM THANKFUL THAT I STILL HAD A TALL LARGE BOX IN THE WAY WHEN THAT HAPPENED. I COULD SEEN SERVE INJURIES OR FATALITIES MAY OCCUR TO THE LITTLE ONES JUST HAPPEN TO STAND IN THE WAY. IT LANDED ON ME SEVERAL TIMES AFTERWARD, THUS MY TRACKING OF THE TAILGATE OPERATION. NOTICE SHOULD BE SEND TO PARENTS TO NOT ALLOW THEIR LITTLE ONES STANDING BEHIND THE CAR WHILE THE GATE IS UP.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 151,805 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,805. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK LID LATCH WAS FAULTY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. UPDATED 04/29/11
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE EXTERIOR/INTERIOR LIGHTS SHUT OFF AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *NLM THE VOLVO DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE SYMPTOM HAS NOW OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON WHEN THE KEYS MOVE ABOUT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, WHILE THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. SCC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
POWER STEERING RACK FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AT 51000 MILES, 30000 MILES LATER, STEERING RACK CRACKED AND IS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 15-20 MPH CONSUMER WAS MAKING A TURN WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AND IT FLIPPED A FEW TIMES. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING INVOLVED IN A SIDE SWIPED COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS NOT TO DEPLOY CONSUMER SUSTAINED MAJOR BODY INJURIES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED HOWEVER UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS VEHICLE HAS A LEAK AT A SEAM OF THE GAS TANK. CHEN ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WITH OBO 11 CODE P0455 EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED LARGE LEAK NO FLOW. A CERTIFIED VOLVO REPAIR FACILITY HAS VERIFIED CRACK AT SEAM FROM GAS TANK. *TR
1996 VOLVO 850 MANUFACTURER'S SUPPLIED TIRE JACK IS INSUFFICIENT TO LIFT CAR, EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN CRANK AND IS DANGEROUS. JACK KEPT ON SLIPPING AND FINALLY COLLAPSED. MY KNUCKLES WERE SCRAPING CONCRETE AS I TRIED TO TURN THE SMALL CRANK. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 151,805 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,805. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK LID LATCH WAS FAULTY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. UPDATED 04/29/11
I OWN TWO VOVO 850S. ONE IS A 1993 VOLVO 850 GLT AND THE OTHER IS A 1996 VOLVO 850 TURBO WAGON. THE AIR CONDITIONER IN BOTH CARS DEVELOPED LEAKS IN THE EVAPORATORS. THE 1996 CAR DEVELOPED THE LEAK IN 2003. I HAD IT REPLACED IN 2004 FOR $1400. THE 1993 VOLVO A/C EVAPORATOR ALSO DEVELOPED A LEAK. TO REPLACE IT WILL COST ANOTHER $1400 PLUS. VOLVO DENIES THAT THERE IS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE A/C EVAPORATORS. I SUGGEST THAT THE FACT THAT IN MY TWO CARS BOTH EVAPORATORS HAVE DEVELOPED LEAKS INDICATES THAT THERE IS A DEFECT. NOTE THAT LIVING IN VIRGINIA THE A/C IS USED SEASONALLY. I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO KNOW HOW MANY EVAPORATORS VOLVO REPLACES PER YEAR IN WHAT MODELS AND WHAT YEAR MADE. MY GUESS IS THAT THERE IS A PATTERN HERE THAT VOLVO IS AWARE OF (MUST BE) AND REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE DUE TO POTENTIAL COST TO THE COMPANY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
SUDDENLY, HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS FAIL TO OPERATE WHEN SWITCH IS IN EITHER HEADLIGHT "ON" POSITION. WHEN SET IN PARKING LIGHT POSITION, DASH AND PARKING LIGHTS (ONLY) WORK. IF HIGH BEAM SWITCH IS MANUALLY HELD, THEN HIGH BEAMS (ONLY) WORK.
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE EXTERIOR/INTERIOR LIGHTS SHUT OFF AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE. AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *NLM THE VOLVO DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE SYMPTOM HAS NOW OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON WHEN THE KEYS MOVE ABOUT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, WHILE THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. SCC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 JOLTED, THEN STOPPED. THIS WAS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION FOR ME AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *TT
DT: ODOMETER/SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK, V THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE A FLAW IN VOLVO'S MANUFACTURING. *AK CONSUMER WANTS NAME AND CONCERN SHARED WITH VOLVO. CONSUMER STATES VOLVO KNOWS OF THIS WIDESPREAD ERA IN THEIR CARS. ON MAY 18TH 2005 CONSUMER SENT A LETTER TO VOLVO ABOUT THE ODOMETER PROBLEM, ALONG WITH A FOLLOW UP LETTER ON JUNE 9TH 2005. CONSUMER STATES THAT FAILURE IS DUE TO A SMALL PLASTIC GEAR IN THE SPEEDOMETER.*SB *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
EXHAUST: CATALYTIC CONVERTEWR FAILED/PLUGGED UP. TRANSMISSION: SHIFT LOCK RELEASE BUTTON ON SHIFTER LOCKED UP.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 151,805 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,805. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK LID LATCH WAS FAULTY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. UPDATED 04/29/11
BOTH AIRBAG'S DEPLOYED AFTER RUNNING OVER A MANHOLE THAT HAD IT'S COVER MISSING, BREAKING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, AND INJURED THE DRIVER'S RIGHT WRIST. THERE WAS REAR SUSPENSION DAMAGE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .