VOLVO 850 · model year

1995 VOLVO 850

148 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1995VOLVO850 carries 148 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 10 fires, 14 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 1995 850 is air bags:frontal with 8 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (8) and tires (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 1995 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.

148
Complaints
12
Crashes
10
Fires
14
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

148 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL8
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION8
TIRES6
TIRES:SIDEWALL5
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN4
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER4
SEAT BELTS4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE4
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE3
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR3
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE3
AIR BAGS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3

Recent Complaints

20130312FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL WAS EMITTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL HOSE WAS LEAKING. THE HOSE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO SMELL FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND ANOTHER CRACKED HOSE WAS REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COLD SEE GASOLINE FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE FUEL TANK WHENEVER REFUELING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V368000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. HE WAS INFORMED THAT AN EXHAUST PIPE WOULD OCCASIONALLY STRIKE THE FUEL TANK, CAUSING A STRESS FRACTURE IN THE TANK. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILUR

Mileage: 147,000

20110803FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RECEIVING REPAIRS FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V368000 (COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE), THE VEHICLE WAS STILL EXPERIENCING A FUEL LEAKAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AFTER IT FAILED TO PASS A SMOG TEST, AS A RESULT OF AN EVOP LEAKAGE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THEY HAD ALREADY PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIRS AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SINCE THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER A THIRD TIME, WHICH DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A SECOND OPINION WHO STATED THAT ALL OF THE PRIOR DIAGNOSIS WERE INCORRECT, AND THAT THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WAS THE VENT HOSE THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICL

Mileage: 116,007

20100818SEAT BELTS

1995 VOLVO 850 GLT, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTING MECHANISM (THE ROLLER NEAR DRIVER'S LEFT SHOULDER) WAS STUCK. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT THE BELT, SOMETIMES PULLING SLOWLY AND LITTLE BY LITTLE SEEMS TO WORK IT AROUND. SPRAYED SOME LUBRICANT CAN FREE IT UP FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT THE SEAT BELT OUT AGAIN ... IT SEEMS TO HAVE A DEFECTED DESIGN SOMEWHERE INSIDE. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

20090430FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MY 1995 VOLVO 850 DEVELOPED A GAS TANK LEAK AT A HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT. THIS IS THE SAME DEFECT THAT LED TO A SAFETY RECALL OF VOLVO 850'S IN CERTAIN SOUTHERN STATES AND A SERVICE RECALL IN THE OTHER STATES IN 2004 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V368000). I WAS NEVER PROVIDED NOTICE OF THIS RECALL, AND VOLVO NOW REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE NECESSARY REPLACEMENT OF THE GAS TANK--A SUBSTANTIAL EXPENSE APPARENTLY CAUSED BY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT THE COMPANY FAILED TO REMEDY. I AM HAVING A NEW GAS TANK PUT IN BY A VOLVO DEALER TODAY. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, I SAW THAT OTHER AFFECTED VOLVO OWNERS DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL FROM VOLVO. *TR

Mileage: 91,000

20090430FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

MY 1995 VOLVO 850 DEVELOPED A GAS TANK LEAK AT A HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT. THIS IS THE SAME DEFECT THAT LED TO A SAFETY RECALL OF VOLVO 850'S IN CERTAIN SOUTHERN STATES AND A SERVICE RECALL IN THE OTHER STATES IN 2004 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V368000). I WAS NEVER PROVIDED NOTICE OF THIS RECALL, AND VOLVO NOW REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE NECESSARY REPLACEMENT OF THE GAS TANK--A SUBSTANTIAL EXPENSE APPARENTLY CAUSED BY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT THE COMPANY FAILED TO REMEDY. I AM HAVING A NEW GAS TANK PUT IN BY A VOLVO DEALER TODAY. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, I SAW THAT OTHER AFFECTED VOLVO OWNERS DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL FROM VOLVO. *TR

Mileage: 91,000

20081216FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING ON THE FLOOR OF HIS GARAGE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THROUGH RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA03008, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V368000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL, HIS VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117,900. UPDATED 01/08/09.*JB

Mileage: 117,900

20080205FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT NOTICED GAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LEAKED OCCURRED WHERE THE HEAT SHIELD WAS ATTACHED. THERE IS A RECALL FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #04V368000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,750 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 112,750

20070611FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. HE NOTICED A GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT GAS LEAKS FROM THE GAS TANK WHEN HE FILLS IT UP. HE HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

Mileage: 132,000

20051217FireSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

MY WIFE & DAUGHTER SMELLED SMOKE WHILE DRIVING ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. IT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THEY STOPPED THE CAR RIGHT AWAY AND GOT OUT. AS MY WIFE OPENED THE DOOR TO THE BACK SEAT TO GET HER PURSE, SHE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THEY RAN TO THE NEAREST HOUSE TO CALL 911. WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH 911, LESS THAN A MINUTE AFTER GETTING OUT OF THE CAR, MY WIFE SAW THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE CAR BECOME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ON THE SCENE WITHIN 3 MINUTES, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE CAR WAS BURNED BEYOND RECOGNITION. WHAT HAD BEEN LEATHER SEATS WERE NOW METAL FRAMES, THE DASHBOARD HAD EVAPORATED, AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED. ALTHOUGH OUR INSURANCE COMPANY COVERED THE LOSS OF THE CAR, WE HAVE HAD TO SPEND SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE BURNT POSSESSIONS (LIKE A CELL PHONE AND A PDA) AND PAY FOR CAR RENTAL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INDICATED THAT THE SEAT HEATER WAS THE LIKELY CAUSE OF THE FIRE,

Mileage: 96,000

20051004SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

. I HAVE SPENT $2200 IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS WHILE HERB GORDON TRIES TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, CLEANED AND RESEALED THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND NOW AS A LAST RESORT ARE REPLACING THE INTERNAL ABS SYSTEM, WHICH FINALLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BOLTS CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN, AIR SENSORS AND OXYGEN SENSORS SEEM TO NEED REPLACING AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. *NM

Mileage: 133,000

20051004ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

. I HAVE SPENT $2200 IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS WHILE HERB GORDON TRIES TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, CLEANED AND RESEALED THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND NOW AS A LAST RESORT ARE REPLACING THE INTERNAL ABS SYSTEM, WHICH FINALLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BOLTS CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN, AIR SENSORS AND OXYGEN SENSORS SEEM TO NEED REPLACING AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. *NM

Mileage: 133,000

20051004EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

. I HAVE SPENT $2200 IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS WHILE HERB GORDON TRIES TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, CLEANED AND RESEALED THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND NOW AS A LAST RESORT ARE REPLACING THE INTERNAL ABS SYSTEM, WHICH FINALLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BOLTS CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN, AIR SENSORS AND OXYGEN SENSORS SEEM TO NEED REPLACING AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. *NM

Mileage: 133,000

20051004VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

. I HAVE SPENT $2200 IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS WHILE HERB GORDON TRIES TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, CLEANED AND RESEALED THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND NOW AS A LAST RESORT ARE REPLACING THE INTERNAL ABS SYSTEM, WHICH FINALLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BOLTS CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN, AIR SENSORS AND OXYGEN SENSORS SEEM TO NEED REPLACING AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. *NM

Mileage: 133,000

20051004EQUIPMENT

. I HAVE SPENT $2200 IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS WHILE HERB GORDON TRIES TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, CLEANED AND RESEALED THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND NOW AS A LAST RESORT ARE REPLACING THE INTERNAL ABS SYSTEM, WHICH FINALLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER BOLTS CAME LOOSE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN, AIR SENSORS AND OXYGEN SENSORS SEEM TO NEED REPLACING AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. *NM

Mileage: 133,000

20051003VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES NO LONGER CONTACTS GLASS BECAUSE MOTOR SPINDLE AXIS HAS BECOME MISALIGNED FORCING WIPER ARM UP. SUSPECT THAT MOUNTING PLATE OR BRACKET FOR MOTOR HAS BECOME DISTORTED/BENT. I BENT ARM FOR TEMPORARY FIX. OTHER OWNERS OF VOLVO 850 HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR PROBLEMS (WWW.BRICKBOARD).*JB

Mileage: 200,000

20050729ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

DT: RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL S139032105, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. AFTER AN EMISSION TEST WAS DONE VEHICLE DID NOT PASS IT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER FOR A CHECK UP. THE DEALER SAID THAT PART FOR THE EMISSION WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE SAME THING. THIS WAS DONE ON JULY 18, 2005. CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS PART SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS RELATED TO THE DEFECTIVE PART MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. *AK

Mileage: 93,000

20050506FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR 1995 VOLVO 850 IN WHICH SHE SOLD. CONSUMER WANTS THE NEW OWNER CONTACTED IN REFERENCE TO THE RECALL.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR BEFORE THE CONSUMER SOLD THE VEHICLE SHE COMPLAINED OF A GAS ODOR, BUT THE DEALER ALWAYS STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. *JB

20050321FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, AND BACKING OUT THE DRIVE WAY, CONSUMER SAW SMOKE, SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT. CONSUMER THEN WENT INTO THE HOUSE TO GET WATER. UPON RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE IT WAS ENGULFED IN SMOKE, AND FIRE.*AK *BF *NM

20050225FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE IT CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE FUEL LEAKAGE. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

Mileage: 168,000

20040823FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

GAS WAS LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND DUE TO HEAT SHIELD BEING PUNCTURED. *AK

Mileage: 200,000

Compare 1995VOLVO850 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1995 VOLVO 850 have?
The 1995 VOLVO 850 has 148 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 10 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1995 VOLVO 850?
The most-complained component for the 1995 VOLVO 850 is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and TIRES.
Is the 1995 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.