NHTSA vehicle safety data
1996 Volvo 850 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 1996 Volvo 850 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 192 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volvo dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Volvo 850, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1996 Volvo 850 owner complaints
Owners have filed 192 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Volvo 850, describing incidents dated October 1, 1995 to July 28, 2018.
Most-cited components
- Service Brakes 55 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 26 complaints
- Engine 21 complaints
- Electrical System 17 complaints
- Power Train 15 complaints
- Equipment 11 complaints
Of the 192 complaints on file, 12 report a crash and 20 a fire; across all 192 complaints, owners report 9 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11114531 · Filed
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…
ODI #10714113 · Filed
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
ODI #10548236 · Filed
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…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1996 Volvo 850 in 6 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Engineering Analysis EA03-008: FUEL TANK LEAKS
Closed July 28, 2004
- Preliminary Evaluation PE03-003: FUEL TANK LEAKS
Closed June 11, 2003
- Engineering Analysis EA02-019: SEAT FIRES
Closed December 18, 2002
- Preliminary Evaluation PE02-029: PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed August 22, 2002
- Preliminary Evaluation PE99-040: INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Closed October 27, 1999
1 more NHTSA investigation
- Preliminary Evaluation PE97-045: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Closed February 13, 1998
VOLVO/FUEL TANK
NHTSA #04V368000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage · NHTSA notice
Reported July 30, 2004 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
Potentially affected: 226,000 vehicles
Volvo campaign 139 · Owners notified September 24, 2004 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
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 consequence
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.
Notes
VOLVO'S RECALL NO. 139.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
VOLVO/ELECTRICAL SEAT HEATER
NHTSA #02V314000 · Seats — Front Assembly — Seat Heater/Cooler · NHTSA notice
Reported November 19, 2002 · VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.
Potentially affected: 65,000 vehicles
Volvo campaign 112 · Owners notified February 19, 2003 · Vehicles built June 1, 1995 – May 31, 1996 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
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 consequence
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.
Notes
VOLVO CARS RECALL NO. 112. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
ENGINE.
NHTSA #96E025000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Gasoline · NHTSA notice
Reported August 20, 1996 · VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.
Potentially affected: 400 vehicles
Owners notified October 28, 1996
Defect description
ENGINE BLOCK HEATERS INSTALLED AS ACCESSORIES. THE BLOCK HEATER CONTACT SURFACE DOES NOT MATCH CORRECTLY WITH THE ENGINE BLOCK AS INTENDED. THE BLOCK HEATER COULD COME LOOSE FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK, AND IF BEING USED, COULD POSSIBLY OVERHEAT CAUSING DAMAGE IF IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.
Safety consequence
ENGINE COMPARTMENT DAMAGE COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BLOCK HEATER AND SECURE THE BOLTS USED TO INSTALL THE HEATER. IN SOME CASES, THE SURFACE TOLERANCES MAY BE SO INAPPROPRIATE THAT THE HEATER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH A HEATER OF A MODIFIED DESIGN.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 1996. NOTE: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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Other Volvo 850 model years
Check your 1996 Volvo 850 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volvo 850 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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