IllustrationDT*: 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.
1996 Volvo 850
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most 850 years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Volvo 850 are substantially higher than 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
10–25K
325–50K
850–75K
1475–100K
14100–150K
9150K+
49 reports with mileage · 143 unknown
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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports20 fire reports9 injury reports
Seat Belts complaints
11 reportsDT*: 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.
REAR MIDDLE SEAT BELT WILL NOT EXTEND, RESULT IN INOPERABLE SEAT BELTS. *AK THE SEAT BELT FOR THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT WOULD NOT EXTEND TO ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO FASTEN THE CHILD IN THE SEAT. *NM
AS A MATTER OF SAFETY I HAD THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT REPLACED BECAUSE THE BUCKLE RELEASE PLASTIC LATCH HAD BROKEN AND A PORTION OF THE PLASTIC PIECE HAD FALLEN INTO THE ASSEMBLY. I AM AWARE OF THE TAKATA SEATBELT RECALL DEALING WITH A SIMILAR FAILURE MODE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF FALSE LATCHING RESULTING FROM PLAS…
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AS A MATTER OF SAFETY I HAD THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT REPLACED BECAUSE THE BUCKLE RELEASE PLASTIC LATCH HAD BROKEN AND A PORTION OF THE PLASTIC PIECE HAD FALLEN INTO THE ASSEMBLY. I AM AWARE OF THE TAKATA SEATBELT RECALL DEALING WITH A SIMILAR FAILURE MODE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF FALSE LATCHING RESULTING FROM PLASTIC PIECES BECOMING ENGAGED IN THE BUCKLE INNER MECHANISMS. DT
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING INVOLVED IN A SIDE COLLISION. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER, DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR BODY INJURIES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
PLEASE DISREGARD NO COMPLAINT CONCERNING CHILD SEAT. *AK
THE SEAT BELTS ARE VERY TIGHT AND DESIGNED IMPROPERLY. THEY ALLOW NO MOVEMENT AND YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE BELT TO ADJUST ANYTHING ON THE DASH. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT CHANGE THE BELT TO THE NEWER UNIT, THAT IS NOW IN THE V70. HE WANTED TO INSTALL AN EXTENSION BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO SIGN A NON RESPONSIBILITY WAVER WHICH WE WOU…
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THE SEAT BELTS ARE VERY TIGHT AND DESIGNED IMPROPERLY. THEY ALLOW NO MOVEMENT AND YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE BELT TO ADJUST ANYTHING ON THE DASH. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT CHANGE THE BELT TO THE NEWER UNIT, THAT IS NOW IN THE V70. HE WANTED TO INSTALL AN EXTENSION BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO SIGN A NON RESPONSIBILITY WAVER WHICH WE WOULD NOT. I ASKED THE VOLVO REPRESENTATIVE TO WEAR THE BELT AND HE COULD NOT WITHOUT AN EXTENSION. WHEN WE WEAR WINTER COATS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BUCKLE UP PROPERLY. I HAVE TURNED THE CAR IN UNDER WARRANTY SEVERAL TIMES AND THE DEALER WOULD DO NOTHING, BECAUSE VOLVO WOULD DO NOTHING. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS ON ALL 850 MODELS. THE BELTS ALSO FLY BACK WHEN REMOVED IF YOU CAN'T CATCH THEM. I HAVE BEEN HIT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE HEAD AND DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH VOLVO REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY SEVERAL TIMES. OUR FAMILY PURCHASED TWO VEHICLES, SAME MODEL AT THE SAME TIME. BOTH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. VOLVO SAYS THE BELTS ARE SAFE, THATS THEIR ARGUMENT. I SAY THEY ARE VERY UNSAFE AND NOT COMFORTABLE. THE PROBLEM COULD BE FIXED EASILY WITH THE INSTALL OF THE V-70 BELTS. I AM WILLING TO PAY FOR THEM BUT VOLVO WON'T DO IT. DONALD P. CONE. *AK
WE PURCHASED THIS CAR USED. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT REPLACED, STATING THAT IT WOULD FAIL TO LATCH AT TIMES. WE PERSONALLY HAVE HAD 3 FAILURES WITH THE REAR SEAT BELTS, 2 ON THE LEFT REAR AND 1 ON THE RIGHT. THESE FAILURES ARE OCCURING WHEN WE ATTEMPT TO INSTALL OUR CHILD SAFETY SEATS. THERE IS A SPECI…
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WE PURCHASED THIS CAR USED. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT REPLACED, STATING THAT IT WOULD FAIL TO LATCH AT TIMES. WE PERSONALLY HAVE HAD 3 FAILURES WITH THE REAR SEAT BELTS, 2 ON THE LEFT REAR AND 1 ON THE RIGHT. THESE FAILURES ARE OCCURING WHEN WE ATTEMPT TO INSTALL OUR CHILD SAFETY SEATS. THERE IS A SPECIAL COMPONENT ON THE SEAT BELT LATCH THAT PREVENTS THE SEAT BELT FROM RETRACTING WHEN USING CAR SEATS. THIS COMPONENT BREAKS WHEN WE PULL ON THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO TIGHTEN IT FOR PROPER INSTALLATION OF THE CAR SEATS. IF THIS CAN OCCUR WITH MANUAL PULLING, IT SEEMS SURE TO FAIL IN AN ACCIDENT. I DO NOT FEEL THAT MY CHILDREN ARE SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE AND I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS TO THE DEALER WITH LITTLE RESPONSE AS TO A SOLUTION OTHER THAN TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT. PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO LET ME KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE AND IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER REPORTS SUCH AS MINE. I WANT TO SELL THE CAR, BUT DO NOT WANT TO PASS THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE ALONG TO ANOTHER OWNER. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. KARLA CANNON*AK
CSS TECH. REPORTS REAR LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS HAVE A SWITCHABLE RETRACTOR PLATE. HOWEVER, PLATE DOES NOT SWITCH AND LOCK IN PLACE WHEN APPLIED. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
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.
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.
02V314000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
Nov 19, 2002
ON SOME SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT HEATERS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT EXCESSIVE COMPRESSION OF THE SEAT CUSHION COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING OF THE SEAT HEATER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL DISCONNECT THE EXISTING WIRES AND INSTALL A NEW ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT AND CABLE HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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
6EA03008 · 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.
EA02019 · Seat Fires
Opened Aug 22, 2002 · Closed Dec 18, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
VOLVO IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION DEVELOPED DURING ITS INVESTIGATION.VOLVO'SSURVEY OF VEHICLES ROUTINELY BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT EAST-COAST DEALERSHIPS PRODUCED EVIDENCE THAT BARE METAL WIRES (THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BOTTOM) CAN CONTACT THE THERMOSTAT AND ELECTRICAL WIRESIN OR BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION.THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.VOLVO CONFIRMED IN TESTING THAT IF SUCH A CONDITION IS PRESENT, THE SHORT TO THE WIRE SEAT SUPPORT COULD CAUSE BURNING OF THE SEAT CUSHION WITHOUT ACTIVATING (OPENING) THE SEAT HEATER FUSE.VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY WITH AN ELECTRONIC TIMER DELAY UNIT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
VOLVO IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION DEVELOPED DURING ITS INVESTIGATION.VOLVO'SSURVEY OF VEHICLES ROUTINELY BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT EAST-COAST DEALERSHIPS PRODUCED EVIDENCE THAT BARE METAL WIRES (THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BOTTOM) CAN CONTACT THE THERMOSTAT AND ELECTRICAL WIRESIN OR BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION.THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.VOLVO CONFIRMED IN TESTING THAT IF SUCH A CONDITION IS PRESENT, THE SHORT TO THE WIRE SEAT SUPPORT COULD CAUSE BURNING OF THE SEAT CUSHION WITHOUT ACTIVATING (OPENING) THE SEAT HEATER FUSE.VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY WITH AN ELECTRONIC TIMER DELAY UNIT.
Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler
VOLVO IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION DEVELOPED DURING ITS INVESTIGATION.VOLVO'SSURVEY OF VEHICLES ROUTINELY BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT EAST-COAST DEALERSHIPS PRODUCED EVIDENCE THAT BARE METAL WIRES (THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BOTTOM) CAN CONTACT THE THERMOSTAT AND ELECTRICAL WIRESIN OR BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION.THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.VOLVO CONFIRMED IN TESTING THAT IF SUCH A CONDITION IS PRESENT, THE SHORT TO THE WIRE SEAT SUPPORT COULD CAUSE BURNING OF THE SEAT CUSHION WITHOUT ACTIVATING (OPENING) THE SEAT HEATER FUSE.VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY WITH AN ELECTRONIC TIMER DELAY UNIT.
PE02029 · Passenger Compartment Fires
Opened Mar 7, 2002 · Closed Aug 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
No summary supplied.
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.
PE97045 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Oct 23, 1997 · Closed Feb 13, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
ODI HAS RECEIVED FOUR OWNER COMPLAINTS OF VOLVO 850 ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES, ALL INVOLVING 1996 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES.TABLE 1 SHOWS THE DISTRIBUTION OF FIRE INCIDENTS KNOWN TO ODI AND VOLVO BY MODEL YEAR AND INCIDENT YEAR FOR ALL 1993-97 VOLVO 850 VEHICLES.VOLVO HAS CLASSIFIED MOST OF THE FIRES AS OCCURRING FROM UNDETERMINED CAUSES.IN THOSE FEW CASES WHERE PROBABLE OR POSSIBLE CAUSES WERE IDENTIFIED, NO COMMON DEFECT PATTERN OR TREND HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED, BUT ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ISSUE THROUGH 11998 WITH QUARTERLY REPORTS FROM VOLVO.