Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 Volvo 850

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 142 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V235000

Exterior lighting: headlights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
Manufacturer
VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.
Vehicles affected
139,588
Reported to NHTSA
1999-08-30
Owners notified
1999-09-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.

Safety risk

DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

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 slip958,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler84,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module866,000 mi
Tires860,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module657,183 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery5—
Vehicle speed control4150,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator3—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner3—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch3100,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission3127,700 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light374,000 mi
Electrical system270,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring2103,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine2150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2—
Fuel system, gasoline2100,000 mi
Interior lighting2—
Power train: manual transmission2—
Seat belts: rear/other2—
Service brakes, air: antilock2—
Service brakes, hydraulic2127,700 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system2—
Unknown or other2102,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal240,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls2—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer2—
Wheels2225,000 mi
Air bags1132,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1125,000 mi
Child seat1102,400 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel140,000 mi
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: ignition1150,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Electronic stability control (ESC)150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger190,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1155,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system180,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Seat belts1102,500 mi
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seat belts: integrated child seat1102,400 mi
Seats1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1101,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Steering1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid139,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: rack and pinion: rack1—
Structure1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: door1—
Suspension160,000 mi
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Suspension: rear1127,700 mi
Tires: tread/belt1240,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1106,000 mi
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor139,000 mi

The 1996 model has about half 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.