IllustrationSIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN COLLISION WHERE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING AT LOW SPEED, AND STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE RUNNING STOP SIGN (IMPACT SPEED UNKNOWN). IMPACT WAS ON DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT FENDER AND DOOR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 850 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsDRIVER LAP AND SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
GEAR POSITION SENSOR,S1 & S2 SOLENOIDS: VOLVO HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT FOR SOME TIME AND SHOULD HAVE DECLARED A RECALL.( VOLVO EVEN LOST A SMALL CLAIMS SUIT IN CALIFORNIA OVER THIS FAILURE) WHILE VOLVO PAID $900 OF THE $1300 REPAIR BILL TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, THEY SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR THE WHOLE BILL. RE: HORN FAILURE, THE VO…
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GEAR POSITION SENSOR,S1 & S2 SOLENOIDS: VOLVO HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT FOR SOME TIME AND SHOULD HAVE DECLARED A RECALL.( VOLVO EVEN LOST A SMALL CLAIMS SUIT IN CALIFORNIA OVER THIS FAILURE) WHILE VOLVO PAID $900 OF THE $1300 REPAIR BILL TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, THEY SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR THE WHOLE BILL. RE: HORN FAILURE, THE VOLVO MECHANICS SAID VOLVO HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ALSO, BUT REFUSES TO DO ANY THING ABOUT IT. MY CAR HAS NOT YET REACHED 50,000 MILES AND I HAVE HAD TO SPEND ABOUT $1,400 DOLLARS TO REPAIR A SUNROOF, REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL, AND FIX THE SOLENOIDS AND GEAR POSITION SENSORS. I BELIEVE VOLVO SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THESE EXPENDITURES. I HAVE BEEN A VOLVO OWNER SINCE 1972, AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VOLVO AGAIN. FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ON A VOLVO, I COULD HAVE HAD A RELIABLE CAR LIKE A SMALL LEXUS!*AK
ALTHOUGH THE TIRE REMAINS INFLATED, THE TREADS HAVE SPLIT OPEN EXPOSING THE BELTS. THE TIRE HAS NEVER BEEN USED.*AK (DOT NUMBER: B5FT294 TIRESIZE: T11570R15)
WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED, DOOR LOCKS WOULD CYCLE TO LOCKED AND CENTER BRAKE LIGHT WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. WHE BRAKE PEDAL RELEASED, DOORS WOULD UNLOCK. POTENTIAL OF LOCKS FAILING IN EITHER POSITION. *AK
ABS CONTROL MODULE BEGAN LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, REPLACEMENT COST WAS $1500, HOWEVER DEALER WOULD NOT HELP DUE TO VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB
ATTACHMENT KEEPS DOOR OPEN; IT'S A METAL PIVOT SPRING BETWEEN THE DOOR HINGES ON THE INSIDE AND COVERED BY A RUBBER BOOT. ONE YEAR AGO, THE DRIVER'S DOOR ATTACHMENT BROKE OFF FROM THE BODY AND ALSO BROKE ITSELF. THIS REQUIRED WELDING A NEW PART ONTO THE BODY FOR $300. LAST WEEK, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN TO THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR…
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ATTACHMENT KEEPS DOOR OPEN; IT'S A METAL PIVOT SPRING BETWEEN THE DOOR HINGES ON THE INSIDE AND COVERED BY A RUBBER BOOT. ONE YEAR AGO, THE DRIVER'S DOOR ATTACHMENT BROKE OFF FROM THE BODY AND ALSO BROKE ITSELF. THIS REQUIRED WELDING A NEW PART ONTO THE BODY FOR $300. LAST WEEK, THIS HAPPENED AGAIN TO THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE PART BROKE AND THE PIECE SEPARATED FROM THE PLACE WHERE IT JOINED TO THE BODY (EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE EARLIER FRONT DOOR BREAKAGE). THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT OR OTHER TRAUMA TO THAT SIDE. AS A RESULT, WHEN MY CHILDREN OPEN THE DOOR ON THAT SIDE, IT WON'T STAY OPEN, BUT SWINGS BACK CLOSED, POTENTIALLY HITTING THEIR LEGS. IN ADDITION, THE REPAIR ON THE FRONT DOOR IS STARTING TO GO - IT'S CREAKING AND THE METAL ON THE BODY IS FLEXING A LOT AS THE DOOR IS MOVED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT. BOTH THE DEALER AND VOLVO AMERICA INFORMED ME THAT SINCE I WAS OUT OR WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING.*AK
MY CAR BURNED COMPLETELY WITHIN 15-20 MINUTES AFTER LEAVING A CERTIFIED VOLVO DEALERSHIP DUE TO A FIRE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED, I NOTED AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE INTERIOR NOISE. AUTO HANDLED NORMALLY AT THAT TIME. WITHIN PROBABLY LESS THAN A MINUTE IT WAS CLEAR THAT NOISE CHANGE WAS NOT RELATED TO ROAD SURFACE VARIATION, AND I STARTED TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF FREEWAY. WHILE DOING SO, TIRE BLEW OUT. CAR FISHTAILED ENDING UP A…
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WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED, I NOTED AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE INTERIOR NOISE. AUTO HANDLED NORMALLY AT THAT TIME. WITHIN PROBABLY LESS THAN A MINUTE IT WAS CLEAR THAT NOISE CHANGE WAS NOT RELATED TO ROAD SURFACE VARIATION, AND I STARTED TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF FREEWAY. WHILE DOING SO, TIRE BLEW OUT. CAR FISHTAILED ENDING UP AGAINST GUARDRAIL. TIRE BASICALLY DESTROYED. NO INDICATION OF DEBRIS IN ROAD AT TIME PROBLEM STARTED. I AM VEHICLE'S ORIGINAL OWNER. THIS TIRE HAD NEVER BEEN PUNCTURED OR REPAIRED AND HAD NEVER HAD A PERIOD OF UNDERINFLATION. TREAD INSPECTED BY DEALER AT ROUTINE SERVICE ABOUT 5 DAYS PRIOR AND WAS IN GREAT SHAPE. TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE WAS CHECKED BY ME APPROXIMATELY 12 HRS PRIOR TO EVENT AND WAS PROPER. VERY SCARY!! *AK (TIRESIZE: 195/60R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 195/60R15 )
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Official recalls
204V368000 · 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
3EA03008 · 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.