Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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
What owners actually said
111 reports
120,000 miles · Sep 15, 2003
Service Brakes, Air
ABS/TRACKS SYSTEM FAILURE ON BOTH 1995, 850 AND 1998, V70. WHEN ABS/TRACK LIGHT(S) COMES ON, NO ABS/TRACK. LEFT FRONT WEEL MAY PULL WHEN BRAKING ON V70. VOLVO CORP. DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM... MADE SEVERAL CALLS, HAD INSPECTION/SERVICE DONE BY "CERTIFIED VOLVO SERVICE TECHNICIAN," VOLVO WILL NOT ACCEPT…
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ABS/TRACKS SYSTEM FAILURE ON BOTH 1995, 850 AND 1998, V70. WHEN ABS/TRACK LIGHT(S) COMES ON, NO ABS/TRACK. LEFT FRONT WEEL MAY PULL WHEN BRAKING ON V70. VOLVO CORP. DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM... MADE SEVERAL CALLS, HAD INSPECTION/SERVICE DONE BY "CERTIFIED VOLVO SERVICE TECHNICIAN," VOLVO WILL NOT ACCEPT PROBLEM...
NHTSA ODI #10038932
81,500 miles · Apr 7, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VOLVO 850 ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC MODULATOR PUMP DEVELOPED A SIGNIFICANT FLUID LEAK (3-6 OZ PER DAY, OR GREATER). THIS PART IS NON-REPAIRABLE AND MUST BE REPLACED AT GREAT COST (QUOTED $1900). AS A KEY BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENT, FAILURE OF THIS PART MAY CAUSE (1) SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTION DUE TO AIR & MOISTURE I…
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VOLVO 850 ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC MODULATOR PUMP DEVELOPED A SIGNIFICANT FLUID LEAK (3-6 OZ PER DAY, OR GREATER). THIS PART IS NON-REPAIRABLE AND MUST BE REPLACED AT GREAT COST (QUOTED $1900). AS A KEY BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENT, FAILURE OF THIS PART MAY CAUSE (1) SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTION DUE TO AIR & MOISTURE INTRUSION INTO THE BRAKE LINES, (2) NON-FUNCTIONING BRAKES WHEN GREATER AMOUNTS OF FLUID ARE SUDDENLY LOST, AND/OR (3) FIRE DANGER, WHEN DRIPPING BRAKE FLUID CONTACTS NEARBY EXHAUST MANIFOLD COMPONENTS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10014063
99,000 miles · Feb 19, 2003
Seat Belts
THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT FROM ITS POSITION.*JB *TS
NHTSA ODI #10008716
Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline
NO SUMMARY. DT
NHTSA ODI #770648
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2002
SeatsFire
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE DRIVERS SEAT STARTED GETTING HOT. THE SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. MR
NHTSA ODI #8020867
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2002
Air BagsInjury
THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVER WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE INSPECTORS FOR VOLVO STATED THERE WAS LIQUID IN THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND THEREFORE THEY WERE NOT LIABLE. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #8012126
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2002
Equipment
DEALER QUOTES $1600 TO REPLACE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #766920
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2002
Electrical System
THE FIRST TWO COMPLAINTS ARE ACTUALLY THE SAME PROBLEM (DISREGARD THE 1ST, "STEERING"). THIS PROBLEM IS CLEARLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OF ANY REPORTED; WE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE HORN PERMANENTLY. MECHANICS HAVE TOLD US THAT THE "HORN CONTACTS" WITHIN STEER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #762647
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANITLOCK BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING AT 68MPH, HIT BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN,WHEEL LOCKED, AND CAR SPAN OUT OF CONTROL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8007637
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
HAD TO REPLACE AND SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM 5 TIMES, MECHANIC HAS NOT FOUND SOLUTION FOR MALFUNCTION. *AK
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.
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.
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.
1995 Volvo 850 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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