IllustrationWHILE IN MOTION THE HEATERS IN THE SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND CAUSED THE CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE. CLAIM #13-7210-322 *JG
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
What owners actually said
192 reportsVEHICLE 1 NOTICED SMOKE AND THEN SAW A FLAME AS HE PULLED OUT OF A PARKING SLOT. THE DETERMINED CAUSE OF MALFUNCTION WAS THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER. INSURED REPLACED THE WIRING FOR THE HEATER ABOUT A YEAR AGO. CLAIM# 37-3190-422.*JG
WHILE DRIVING 40 TO 45MPH SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. VEHICLE STARTED FILLING WITH SMOKE, AND CONSUMER SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER DASH. INTERIOR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES BY TIME FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED. *JG
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT INVOLVING DIRECT IMPACT TO THE DRIVERS SIDE, THE DRIVERS DOOR-SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. CONSUMER STATED THAT, THIS WAS THE SIDE AIR BAG, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY UPWARD BETWEEN THE DRIVERS DOOR AND THE DRIVERS SEAT. *YD
CONNECTICUT'S OWN VOLVO IN MILFORD CT SAYS THE ABS SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. $600 TO FIX. I ASKED WHY I HAD TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE COMPUTER AND HE SAID THAT IT WAS BEYOND ITS EXPECTED LIFE. HOWEVER, HE COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE ABS SYSTEM WAS. THE ABS SYSTEM IS ONE OF THE REASONS I GOT THIS CAR AND IF IT IS DEFE…
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CONNECTICUT'S OWN VOLVO IN MILFORD CT SAYS THE ABS SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE. $600 TO FIX. I ASKED WHY I HAD TO PAY FOR A DEFECTIVE COMPUTER AND HE SAID THAT IT WAS BEYOND ITS EXPECTED LIFE. HOWEVER, HE COULD NOT TELL ME WHAT THE EXPECTED LIFE OF THE ABS SYSTEM WAS. THE ABS SYSTEM IS ONE OF THE REASONS I GOT THIS CAR AND IF IT IS DEFECTIVE AND NO LONGER WORKING, AND VOLVO IS NOT INTERESTED IN REPAIRING IT, THAT SEEMS TO ME TO BE SOMETHING YOU NEED TO LOOK INTO.*AK
PLEASE DISREGARD NO COMPLAINT CONCERNING CHILD SEAT. *AK
FUEL TANK DEVELOPED LEAK THROUGH RUBBING PARTS. *AK
ON 12/18/99 WE PURCHASED 4 DUNLOP D60 A2 TIRES FROM THE TIREN FARMINGDALE/HOWELL NJ. THEY HAVE A DUNLOP # OF CR3651-2 AND CR365 1-1 AND CR2196-1. TODAY ON THE WAY TO WORK MY WIFE CALLED ME TO SAY THE TIRE WAS MAKING A THUMPING NOISE. SHE STOPPED TO LOOK AT IT AND SAW A PIECE OF TIRE MISSING. I SENT HER TO SEARS TO BUY A REPLACEM…
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ON 12/18/99 WE PURCHASED 4 DUNLOP D60 A2 TIRES FROM THE TIREN FARMINGDALE/HOWELL NJ. THEY HAVE A DUNLOP # OF CR3651-2 AND CR365 1-1 AND CR2196-1. TODAY ON THE WAY TO WORK MY WIFE CALLED ME TO SAY THE TIRE WAS MAKING A THUMPING NOISE. SHE STOPPED TO LOOK AT IT AND SAW A PIECE OF TIRE MISSING. I SENT HER TO SEARS TO BUY A REPLACEMENT TIRE AND WHEN SHE GOT TO SEARS, THE WORKER SHOWED HER THE OTHER TIRE WAS SEPARATING. IN APRIL I REPLACED ONE OF THE TIRES CAUSE IT HAD A NAIL IN THE SIDE WALL AND A PIECE OF RUBBER WAS MISSING. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A ROAD HAZZARD. NOW I REALIZE THE TIRES ARE DEFECTED SINCE ALL REMAINING THREE ARE SEPARATING. I WILL NOTIFY TIRE FARM BUT I THOUGHT YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS. THANK GOD MY WIFE WAS NOT HURT. ALL THE TIRES HAVE DOT DBV9 CA8 AND THE NUMBERS (348) (208) (208) AND (E11) 022682 THEY ALSO HAVE PO51D3-B ON THE TIRES IN FACT THE REPLACEMENT TIRE I BOUGHT AT SEARS IS THE SAME DOT # THEY ALL HAVE 01 08 40 ON THE TIRES. THE ONE FROM SEARS HAS NOT SEPARATED YET!!! WHEN WE PUT THE TIRES ON WE HAD 86,000 MILES ON THE CAR NOW IT IS 129,000. NOT THIS IS ALL HIGHWAY MILES AND THE TREAD WARE IS SMALL. DO YOU WANT ME TO SAVE THE TIRES FOR YOU? PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU AND LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.*AK (DOT NUMBER: DBV9 CA8 TIRESIZE: P195/60R15)
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
A CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE "HIGH STRENGTH STEEL SAFETY CAGE" ADJACENT TO THE AREA WHERE THE DRIVER'S DOOR STOP IS WELDED TO IT. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE CRACKED DOOR PILLAR PORTION OF THE "HIGH STRENGTH STEEL SAFETY CAGE" BE REPLACED. VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.'S RESPONSE HAS BEEN THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. I HAVE A…
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A CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE "HIGH STRENGTH STEEL SAFETY CAGE" ADJACENT TO THE AREA WHERE THE DRIVER'S DOOR STOP IS WELDED TO IT. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE CRACKED DOOR PILLAR PORTION OF THE "HIGH STRENGTH STEEL SAFETY CAGE" BE REPLACED. VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.'S RESPONSE HAS BEEN THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO REQUESTED THAT IT BE COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED, BUT THEY HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CALL THE CRACKED AREA THINGS THAT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THEIR LIBERAL BETWEEN THE LINES INTERPRETATION OF THE CONTRACT WHICH IS ALSO WITH VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA, INC. THEIR FINAL RESPONSE WAS, "WHILE WE REGRET YOU MAY NOT CONCUR, VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA, INC., WILL NOT RESPOND OR CONSIDER THIS MATTER FURTHER". THE DEALER BODY SHOP ADVISOR ESTIMATED THE REPAIR AT OVER $1,200.00. REPLACEMENT REQUIRES REMOVAL OF THE DRIVER'S DOOR, WINSHIELD, AND DASHBOARD.*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.
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.