VOLVO 850 · model year

1996 VOLVO 850

235 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1996VOLVO850 carries 235 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 27 fires, 13 injuries, and 3 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 1996 850 is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 32 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (20) and seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler (11). 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 1996 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.

235
Complaints
14
Crashes
27
Fires
13
Injuries
3
Deaths

Total Complaints

235 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP32
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY20
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER11
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION9
TIRES9
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR4

Recent Complaints

20180730FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY FUEL TANK STARTED LEAKING EXACTLY AS THE RECALL # 04V368000 DESCRIBES, WHERE THE HEAT SHIELD CONNECTS TO THE FUEL TANK. I FILLED UP, DROVE 3 MILES HOME, PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND SMELLED GAS, BUT DID NOT *SEE* ANYTHING AT THAT TIME. IT LOST 6 GALLONS OF FUEN IN ABOUT 3 HOURS HOURS. VOLVO SAYS THIS RECALL DOES NOT PERTAIN TO MY VEHICLE, BECAUSE THEY DO IT BY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBERS, BUT WOULD NOT SAY ANYTHING FURTHER. IT IS IN MY LOCAL SHOP PARKING LOT, I WAS UNABLE TO PHOTOGRAPH THE LEAK AS I AM DISABLED AND COULD NOT CLIMB UNDER THE CAR.

Mileage: 231,000

20150501FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THIS VEHICLE HAS A LEAK AT A SEAM OF THE GAS TANK. CHEN ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WITH OBO 11 CODE P0455 EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED LARGE LEAK NO FLOW. A CERTIFIED VOLVO REPAIR FACILITY HAS VERIFIED CRACK AT SEAM FROM GAS TANK. *TR

Mileage: 169,000

20150501EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

THIS VEHICLE HAS A LEAK AT A SEAM OF THE GAS TANK. CHEN ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WITH OBO 11 CODE P0455 EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM LEAK DETECTED LARGE LEAK NO FLOW. A CERTIFIED VOLVO REPAIR FACILITY HAS VERIFIED CRACK AT SEAM FROM GAS TANK. *TR

Mileage: 169,000

20131017TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS FOUR COOPER ZEON SPT TIRES, SIZE 205 55 R16. THE CONTACT WAS ROTATING THE TIRES, WHEN HE NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WAS BALD. THE TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIRES WERE DOWN TO THE WEAR BAR. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 100,00 AND THE APPROXIMATE TIRE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

Mileage: 97,000

20120522VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

RUNAWAY ACCELERATOR ? ON ENTERING INTERSTATE, I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS LOCKED INTO THE FLOORED POSITION. I HAD A RUNAWAY SITUATION WITH TRAFFIC. I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW THE CAR OR RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR. FORTUNATELY, I HAD THE KNOWLEDGE AND SENSE TO SLOW THE CAR. PUMPING THE BRAKES DID NOT HELP. I MANAGED TO HOLD THE BRAKES WHILE DOWNSHIFTING INTO THE LOW AND THEN LOWEST GEAR IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I MANAGED TO NEGOTIATE THE CAR TOWARD THE SHOULDER AND EVENTUALLY THREW THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE PARK GEAR. THE CAR JOLTED, THEN STOPPED. THIS WAS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION FOR ME AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *TT

Mileage: 185,500

20110819FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I OWN A 1996 VOLVO 850 TURBO. RECENTLY THE GAS TANK BEGAN TO LEAK AT THE SEAM ON THE DRIVER SIDE NEXT TO EXHAUST HEAT SHIELD I CALLED VOLVO AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY FOR MY VIN # THERE IS NO RECALL; ON THE INTERNET THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE SAME VEHICLE GAS STORAGE ISSUES. EXACTLY ON THE SAME SIDE SAME PROBLEM, BUT SINCE MY VIN # DOES NOT COINCIDE WITH THEIR RECALL, I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I DON'T THINK THAT IT IS FAIR, THAT JUST BECAUSE MY VIN # IS DIFFERENT FROM THE RECALL, NUMBERS, IT STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE MODELS THEY ARE RECALLING. IF THEY ARE RECALLING A CERTAIN MODEL IN THIS CASE THE 850 MODEL FOR SPECIFIC DEFECTS, WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE WHAT VIN # IT IS, IF IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE RECALL. AND A SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU CAN HELP WITH THIS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO. BECAUSE THE VOLVO AGENT WAS NOT VERY HELPFUL AND RUDE. BOTTOM LINE WAS TO BAD FOR YOU. *TR

Mileage: 170,000

20110406TIRES

ON FEBRUARY 9, 2008 I PURCHASED AT MAVIS TIRE FOUR (4) NEW COOPER ZEON TIRES WITH A RATING OF 400 AAA. IN APPROXIMATELY SIX THOUSAND (6,000) I FIND ONE PAIR COMPLETELY WORN WHILE THE OTHER SET FULL THREAD. I CALLED MAVIS TIRE AND SPOKE WITH STU WHO SAID HE IS THE MANAGER. HE SUGGESTED I COME INTO THE TIRE SHOP SO HE MAY INSPECT THE TIRES. ON MARCH 2011, I DROVE TO LONG BEACH, LONG ISLAND WHERE THE SHOP IS LOCATED. STU INSPECTED THE TIRES AND AGREED WITH ME THAT SOMETHING WAS DEFECTIVE WITH THE TWO TIRES IN QUESTION. STU THEN TOLD ME HE WOULD CHECK WITH HIS SUPERVISOR AND GET BACK TO ME. STU THEN CALLED ME AND TOLD ME TO PLACE A CLAIM WITH COOPER TIRES. I WAS ALSO TOLD THEIR PHONE NUMBER WAS AT THEIR WEB SITE. I COULD NOT FIND A NUMBER TO CALL BUT DID FIND AN PLACE TO SUBMIT AN EMAIL. I EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THIS WAS THE RESPONSE: ?COOPER PRODUCTS ARE BACKED BY A WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIALS WARRANTY THAT OUR INDEPENDENT TIRE DEALERS ADMINISTER ON A REGULAR BASIS. ANY TIRE THAT

Mileage: 96,000

20110114ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING OVER DIFFERENT DEVIATIONS ON THE ROAD, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD FISH TAIL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO RECEIVE A JUMP START IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TRIED CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER VIA WEB MAIL BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,805 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,805. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK LID LATCH WAS FAULTY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. UPDATED 04/29/11

Mileage: 150,805

20110114SUSPENSION:REAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING OVER DIFFERENT DEVIATIONS ON THE ROAD, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD FISH TAIL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO RECEIVE A JUMP START IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TRIED CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER VIA WEB MAIL BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,805 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,805. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK LID LATCH WAS FAULTY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. UPDATED 04/29/11

Mileage: 150,805

20110114VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING OVER DIFFERENT DEVIATIONS ON THE ROAD, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD FISH TAIL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO RECEIVE A JUMP START IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TRIED CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER VIA WEB MAIL BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,805 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,805. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK LID LATCH WAS FAULTY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. UPDATED 04/29/11

Mileage: 150,805

20110114LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING OVER DIFFERENT DEVIATIONS ON THE ROAD, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WOULD FISH TAIL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO RECEIVE A JUMP START IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TRIED CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER VIA WEB MAIL BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,805 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,805. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK LID LATCH WAS FAULTY. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN. UPDATED 04/29/11

Mileage: 150,805

20090518SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

I HAVE A 1996 VOLVO 850 TURBO STATION WAGON. IT HAS ONLY 41,000 MILES BUT THE ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF. I AM TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE CAR. VOLVO CLAIMS IT IS ONE OF THE SAFEST CAR ON THE ROAD AND QUITE RELIABLE. I DISAGREE. PLS. ASK VOLVO TO ISSUE A RECALL AS THIS IS ANNOYING AND COULD PROVE TO BE DANGEROUS. *TR

Mileage: 41,000

20090406FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLVO 850 GLT. WHILE PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE REPORT INDICATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE GARAGE DOOR, HOUSE SIDING, AND DRIVEWAY SURFACE WERE DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, A SMALL AREA OF THE LAWN WAS DAMAGED BY THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING INVESTIGATED AND HAS NOT BEEN TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 155,000.

Mileage: 155,000

20081203ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CONSUMER HAS ISSUES ABOUT 1996 VOLVO 850 ENGINE. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT CARBON MONOXIDE SEEPED INTO THE VEHICLE AND WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. A MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE NEEDED SERIOUS ENGINE WORK. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED A ONE-TIME RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORMED ONE YEAR BEFORE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. *JB

20081014SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1996 VOLVO 850 - ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENT - NOT SURE IF ABS IS WORKING OR NOT - TOLD BY VOLVO REPAIR SPECIALISTS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THE 96 & 97 MODELS - ALSO TOLD THAT ABS COMPUTER HAS TENDENCY TO BURN OUT RELATIVELY QUICKLY ON THIS MODEL & YEAR - TOLD TO GO AHEAD AND REPLACE IT - AGAIN - HAD IT REPLACED LESS THAN 4 YEARS AGO - *TR

Mileage: 140,000

20080916SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1996 VOLVO 850 ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENT NOT SURE IF ABS IS WORKING OR NOT COMES AND GOES. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

20070801ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HEAT GENERATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSES ABS CONTROL MODULE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE TO FAIL IN MY '96 VOLVO 850R. AS OF TODAY, THERE'S 3 MODULES ALREADY REPLACED (EACH COSTING $800). THE DEALER SAID THAT THE CONTROL MODULE FAILS BECAUSE IT'S NOT DESIGNED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO WITHSTAND TYPICAL ENGINE HEAT. THE CHATROOM OF VOLVO OWNERS (WWW.BRICKBOARD.COM) IS FILLED WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT FROM VARIOUS MODEL YEARS. THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS SINCE THE FAILURE CAUSES INTERMITTENT BRAKING CAPABILITY AND HAZARDOUS DURING WINTER/SNOWY ROAD CONDITIONS. THE FAILURE IS SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING.

20070801SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

HEAT GENERATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSES ABS CONTROL MODULE AND TRACTION CONTROL MODULE TO FAIL IN MY '96 VOLVO 850R. AS OF TODAY, THERE'S 3 MODULES ALREADY REPLACED (EACH COSTING $800). THE DEALER SAID THAT THE CONTROL MODULE FAILS BECAUSE IT'S NOT DESIGNED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO WITHSTAND TYPICAL ENGINE HEAT. THE CHATROOM OF VOLVO OWNERS (WWW.BRICKBOARD.COM) IS FILLED WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT FROM VARIOUS MODEL YEARS. THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS SINCE THE FAILURE CAUSES INTERMITTENT BRAKING CAPABILITY AND HAZARDOUS DURING WINTER/SNOWY ROAD CONDITIONS. THE FAILURE IS SUDDEN AND WITHOUT WARNING.

20070508STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

CUSTOMER STATES THAT SHE BEGAN TO DETECT CREAKING SOUNDS EVERY TIME SHE OPENED AND CLOSED THE FRONT DOOR ON THE DRIVER' SIDE**CC THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FRAME OF THE DOOR. *JB

20070508STRUCTURE

CUSTOMER STATES THAT SHE BEGAN TO DETECT CREAKING SOUNDS EVERY TIME SHE OPENED AND CLOSED THE FRONT DOOR ON THE DRIVER' SIDE**CC THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FRAME OF THE DOOR. *JB

Compare 1996VOLVO850 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1996 VOLVO 850 have?
The 1996 VOLVO 850 has 235 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 27 fires, 13 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 VOLVO 850?
The most-complained component for the 1996 VOLVO 850 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 32 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY and SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER.
Is the 1996 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.