Model year record

1996 Volvo 850

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 235 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V368000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
Manufacturer
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
Vehicles affected
226,000
Reported to NHTSA
2004-07-30
Owners notified
2004-09-24

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V314000

Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler

Component
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler
Manufacturer
VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.
Vehicles affected
65,000
Reported to NHTSA
2002-11-19
Owners notified
2003-02-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS, THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3261,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2093,238 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1185,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission9
Tires996,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner760,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood673,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline6
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module6
Engine and engine cooling597,500 mi
Air bags: frontal4
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery4
Seat belts: front: retractor483,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock4
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module463,988 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic4100,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments4130,000 mi
Vehicle speed control420,937 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine3115,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system337,000 mi
Interior lighting3107,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3
Structure: body: door3
Tires: sidewall3
Air bags: side/window2
Electrical system2150,805 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator232,500 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan2
Exterior lighting2107,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage2166,522 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2169,000 mi
Power train237,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Seat belts: integrated child seat283,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2
Structure2172,000 mi
Suspension: rear2150,805 mi
Unknown or other2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2150,805 mi
Electrical system: ignition1
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control185,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment1128,476 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility1169,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1102,240 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1170,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1120,760 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1150,805 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seat belts1
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1144,000 mi
Service brakes, electric141,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light178,600 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments172,302 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1
Visibility1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system175,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1
Wheels1

The 1995 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.