Total Complaints
96 filings
VOLVO 850 · model year
1993 VOLVO 850
96 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1993VOLVO850 carries 96 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1993 850 is power train:automatic transmission with 19 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (8) and equipment:appliance:air conditioner (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 28 investigation files overlapping the 1993 850. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
96
Complaints
5
Crashes
3
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 19 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 8 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 4 |
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 3 |
| STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 3 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20080530FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 VOLVO 850. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE. TWO MINUTES LATER, THE HOOD BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. IT HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY COVERED FOR LIABILITY INSURANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.
20061023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1993 VOLVO 850GLT ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. NEWSPAPER AD SAID 1999 THROUGH 2001, C70,S60,S80,V70 & V70XC. THE 850 WAS NEVER MENTIONED. HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 1998 & IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES. REAL SCARY, CAN IT BE FIXED? *NM
20060315ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
GOOD EVENING;THIS IS MORE OF A QUESTION ABOUT A POTENTIAL VEHICLE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE. I AM INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A 1993 VOLVO 850 4 DOOR. SEDAN ,AUTO/A/C,4 CYL,LOADED. I WENT TO TEST DRIVE THE CAR AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHTS STAYED ON WHILE I DROVE THE CAR. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE LOT THE CAR STALLED,BUT RESTARTED RIGHT AWAY. THE USED CAR DEALER SAID THE CAR WAS LOW ON FUEL THAT'S WHY THE LIGHTS STAYED ON? I DOUBT THIS VERY MUCH!!ARE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THESE CARS FOR THIS PROBLEM?IF SO I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION. THANK YOU! JM *JB
Mileage: 200
20060315ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
GOOD EVENING;THIS IS MORE OF A QUESTION ABOUT A POTENTIAL VEHICLE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE. I AM INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A 1993 VOLVO 850 4 DOOR. SEDAN ,AUTO/A/C,4 CYL,LOADED. I WENT TO TEST DRIVE THE CAR AND THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHTS STAYED ON WHILE I DROVE THE CAR. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE LOT THE CAR STALLED,BUT RESTARTED RIGHT AWAY. THE USED CAR DEALER SAID THE CAR WAS LOW ON FUEL THAT'S WHY THE LIGHTS STAYED ON? I DOUBT THIS VERY MUCH!!ARE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THESE CARS FOR THIS PROBLEM?IF SO I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION. THANK YOU! JM *JB
Mileage: 200
20050803FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE A 1993 VOLVO 850. IT HAS BEEN STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, LOW SPEEDS, FOR OVER 10 YEARS. NO ONE HAS EVER FIXED THE PROBLEM. SINCE YOU ARE INVESTIGATING CURRENT VOLVO MODELS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, YOU SHOULD CONSIDER INVESTIGATING THE OLDER MODELS. *NM
Mileage: 50,000
20041116AIR BAGS
SRS LIGHT IS ON. BROUGHT TO LOVERING VOLVO AND THEY ADVISED THE WHOLE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1200. IN READING PAST COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS SIGHT, I SEE QUITE A FEW ARIBAG PROBLEMS, ONE BEING THAT THE WIRES ARE CROSSED FROM PRODUCTION AND THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. I ALSO SEE MANY COMPLAINTS THAT AIRBAGS ARE DEPLOYING FOR NO REASON....IS THIS BECAUSE OF THIS WIRING??? I THINK VOLVO NEEDS TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE. RIGHT NOW I AM DRIVING WITHOUT AIRBAGS BECAUSE OF THE COST. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING THE SAME!! VOLVO NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE ASAP BEFORE A LAWSUIT ARISES!!*AK
20040831SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NAR 05/21/2003. *MR DEFECTIVE ANTILOCK BRAKE PUMP. *CB
20040805ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE ENGINE WILL CEASE SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A VOLVO DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING.*AK
Mileage: 121,000
20030902POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FAILED TRANSMISSION AFTER 45,000 MILES. EXTENDED WARRANTY REPLACED IT. FAILED CONTROL SWITCH FOR AIR CONDITIONING A/C AND EVAPORATOR UNIT AT 135,000. *AK
Mileage: 150,000
20030902EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
FAILED TRANSMISSION AFTER 45,000 MILES. EXTENDED WARRANTY REPLACED IT. FAILED CONTROL SWITCH FOR AIR CONDITIONING A/C AND EVAPORATOR UNIT AT 135,000. *AK
Mileage: 150,000
20030816ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1993 VOLVO 850 GLT HAS BEEN JUST "TURNING OFF" DURING DRIVING, 20-60 MPH. NEVER AT IDLE. YOU MUST COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN THE KEY OFF AND RESTART THE CAR. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND MY LOCAL GARAGE TWICE AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT CORRECTED. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION THAT ALMOST CREATED AN ACCIDENT THIS PAST WEEK. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND I FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS.*AK
20021226VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHILED BLADES WERE REPLACED, THE GASOLINE TANK WAS LEAKING, AND THE HOOD LATCHES WERE ADJUSTED.*JB
20021226STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHILED BLADES WERE REPLACED, THE GASOLINE TANK WAS LEAKING, AND THE HOOD LATCHES WERE ADJUSTED.*JB
20021226FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHILED BLADES WERE REPLACED, THE GASOLINE TANK WAS LEAKING, AND THE HOOD LATCHES WERE ADJUSTED.*JB
20021211FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THE PLASTIC GASOLINE TANK LEAKED GASOLINE. *SCC
20021203AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS RESULTED IN DRIVER BEING BURNT ON THEIR NECK AND STOMACH. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
20020924POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT 99,000 AND NOW AT 27,000 ON THE ORGINAL VOLVO REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION I HAVE TO REPLACE THE SECOND TRANSMISSION. THIS TRANSMISSION OF THE 850 VOLVO IS A LEMON. *AK
20020828FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DASHBOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE IN PARKING GARAGE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
20020815EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
CONSUMER WAS JACKING VEHICLE UP AND JACK BROKE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
20020719FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK, DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, CONSUMER STATES THAT CLOSE EXAMINATION SHOWED THE PLASTIC CASING WAS DISENTEGRATING, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
Compare 1993VOLVO850 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1993 VOLVO 850 have?▼
The 1993 VOLVO 850 has 96 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 VOLVO 850?▼
The most-complained component for the 1993 VOLVO 850 is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 19 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER.
Is the 1993 VOLVO 850 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.