← New search

1995 Volvo 850

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1995 Volvo 850 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 78.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 18 of 111 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Tires. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports9 fire reports8 injury reports

Visibility complaints

10 reports
Clear category filter
133,000 miles · Oct 4, 2005
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting

. I HAVE SPENT $2200 IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS WHILE HERB GORDON TRIES TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, CLEANED AND RESEALED THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND NOW AS A LAST RESORT ARE REPLACING THE INTERNAL ABS SYSTEM, WHICH FINALLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, THE WIND…

Read full complaint

. I HAVE SPENT $2200 IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS WHILE HERB GORDON TRIES TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, CLEANED AND RESEALED THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND NOW AS A LAST RESORT ARE REPLACING THE INTERNAL ABS SYSTEM, WHICH FINALLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BOLTS CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN, AIR SENSORS AND OXYGEN SENSORS SEEM TO NEED REPLACING AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10138511

200,000 miles · Oct 3, 2005
Visibility

DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES NO LONGER CONTACTS GLASS BECAUSE MOTOR SPINDLE AXIS HAS BECOME MISALIGNED FORCING WIPER ARM UP. SUSPECT THAT MOUNTING PLATE OR BRACKET FOR MOTOR HAS BECOME DISTORTED/BENT. I BENT ARM FOR TEMPORARY FIX. OTHER OWNERS OF VOLVO 850 HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS (WWW.BRICKBOARD).*JB

NHTSA ODI #10138398

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2000
Visibility

DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER THE CONSUMER WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILED CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY, WHEN TAKEN TO THE GARAGE THE SERVICE MANAGER REMOVED AND REPLACED THE FUSE AND IT HAS WORK EVER SINCE. NLM

NHTSA ODI #551371

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2000
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM WITH A BOLT ATTACHED TO THE ARM OF THE MOTOR WOULD NOT STAY TIGHTENED, AND CAUSES THE WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATE AND LEAD TO A VEHICLE COLLISON DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND THE BOLT STILL LOOSENED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #855243

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 1999
Visibility

THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 3 TIMES; THE PROBLEM IS TEMPORARILY FIXED AND REOCCURS. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN DIFFERENT STORIES, SUCH AS IT IS A RESULT OF USING DIFFERENT METALS AND VOLVO IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY LAST WEEK WHEN A DOWNPOUR STARTED AND HE FOUNDOUT THAT…

Read full complaint

THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 3 TIMES; THE PROBLEM IS TEMPORARILY FIXED AND REOCCURS. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN DIFFERENT STORIES, SUCH AS IT IS A RESULT OF USING DIFFERENT METALS AND VOLVO IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY LAST WEEK WHEN A DOWNPOUR STARTED AND HE FOUNDOUT THAT THE DRIVER'S WIPER FAILED AGAIN. TODAY THE DEALER TOLD ME THE ONLY THING TO DO IS TIGHTEN THE NUT WITH A 13/16 WRENCH. THE PROBLEM IS THAT UNLESS YOU CHECK IT EACH TIME YOU START THE CAR, YOU ONLY FIND OUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM IN RAIN ON THE ROAD. MY SISTER-IN-LAW HAS A 1994 VOLVO 850 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH HERS FAILS LESS OFTEN. OUR CAR IS STILL COVERED BY A VOLVO EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO PERMANENT FIX - JUST KEEP TIGHTENING THE WIPER NUT. THIS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A REASONABLE, ACCEPTABLE OR SAFE SOLUTION. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #706013

Mileage unknown · May 14, 1998
Visibility

POOR VISIBILITY DUE TO DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD. WINDSHIELD HAS THOUSANDS OF SMALL SPECKLES IN IT THAT AFFECTS VISIBILITY.

NHTSA ODI #535606

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 1996
Visibility

POWER WINDOW SWITCH STICKS. *DH

NHTSA ODI #601543

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 1996
Visibility

HAVING A BAD WEATHER DAY OR TEMPERATURE CHANGES THE WINDOWS WILL FOG UP ALL FOR NO REASON, YOU CAN PUT THE DEFORSTER ON AND WINDOWS WILL FOG UP AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #981078

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 1995
Power TrainVisibility

SHIFT LOCK BUTTON FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #600502

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 1995
Visibility

THE QUARTER PANEL WINDOW SHATTERED FOR NO REASON. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ODI #971246

Official recalls

2

04V368000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

Jul 30, 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AFTER PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO HEAT, THE FUEL TANK MAY SEEP OR LEAK FUEL AT THE POINTS WHERE THE HEAT SHIELD IS ATTACHED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: VOLVO WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE IT IF ANY EVIDENCE OF FUEL SEEPAGE OR LEAKAGE IS FOUND. ALL VEHICLES WILL RECEIVE NEW REINFORCEMENT BUSHINGS AT THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO PREVENT FUTURE LEAKS. THIS RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED AS A SAFETY RECALL IN THE HOT WEATHER STATES OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, AND UTAH, AND AS A SERVICE RECALL IN THE OTHER 33 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

95V050000 · Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift; Equipment:mechanical:integrated Jack/leveler/stabilizer

Mar 10, 1995

SOME OF THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY LOAD CAPACITY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A RAISED VEHICLE CAN FALL OFF THE JACK INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE SUSPECT JACKS WITH A JACK MEETING THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE CARS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment:mechanical:integrated Jack/leveler/stabilizer

SOME OF THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY LOAD CAPACITY.

Consequence: A RAISED VEHICLE CAN FALL OFF THE JACK INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE SUSPECT JACKS WITH A JACK MEETING THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE CARS.

Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift

SOME OF THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY LOAD CAPACITY.

Consequence: A RAISED VEHICLE CAN FALL OFF THE JACK INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE SUSPECT JACKS WITH A JACK MEETING THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE CARS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

3

EA03008 · Fuel Tank Leaks

Opened Jun 11, 2003 · Closed Jul 28, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

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.

PE03003 · Fuel Tank Leaks

Opened Jan 16, 2003 · Closed Jun 11, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

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.

PE99040 · Inadvertent Side Air Bag Deployment

Opened Jun 7, 1999 · Closed Oct 27, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window

No summary supplied.