2000 Volvo 850: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 100.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
2001: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 744374 · 2001-04-22 (April 22, 2001)
ENGINE CONSTANTLY SURGES (IDLES UP AND DOWN) WITH OR WITHOUT AIRCONDITIONING ON. CAR WILL LEAP AHEAD ON OCCASION WHEN ENGINE REVS UP, DRIVER HAS TO BE VIGILANT AND ABLE TO STEP ON BRAKE TO STOP CAR AT ANY TIME. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO A VOLVO DEALER AND IN THE DEALER'S REPAIR SHOP 4 TIMES AND STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. MUCH CARE HAS TO BE TAKEN WHEN PARKING TO MAKE SURE NOT TO IMPACT OTHER CARS OR OBJECTS WHEN THE CAR DECIDES TO LEAP FORWARD. ENGINE IDLE IS CONSTANTLY GOING UP AND DOWN, WILL NOT IDLE AT A CONSTANT RPM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 744374 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1999 | 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 34.1% | 44.8% | 32.7%ODI 10138511 · 133,000 mi. 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 | 3216.7%ODI 10011583THE ABS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB | 98.4%ODI 10019425WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. *NLM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1926.0%ODI 10037093 · 150,000 miFAILED TRANSMISSION AFTER 45,000 MILES. EXTENDED WARRANTY REPLACED IT. FAILED CONTROL SWITCH FOR AIR CONDITIONING A/C AND EVAPORATOR UNIT AT 135,000. *AK | 44.8% | 76.3%ODI 549448SHIFT OVER RIDE ON RECALL BUT THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE THE OWNER TO FIX IT. YH | 94.7%ODI 604209AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GET OUT OF PARK DUE TO COMPUTER CHIP FAILURE. | 32.8%ODI 10234149 · 127,700 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLVO 850 WAGON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION FOR TIRE REPAIR AND THE FOLLOWING FAILURES WERE DISCOVERED: BOTH REAR BRAKES AND CALIPERS WERE SEIZED AND COMPLETELY INOPERABLE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ALSO INOPERABLE, AND BOTH FRONT INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $1,230. THE VOLVO DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FOLLOWING FAILURES: BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE DRIVER SIDE TIE RODS FAILED, AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES FAILED, INCLUDING … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 22.7% | 67.2% | 10.9% | 2010.4%ODI 10004488 · 80,000 miCONSUMER STATED VEHICLE'S FUEL TANK HAS A LEAK AND IF FILLED OVER 12 GALLONS IT WILL LEAK FUEL, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS *TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Tires | 11.4%ODI 759415REPLACED 7 TIRES. TOO MANY FOR LOW MILES. VOLVO FRONT END CAUSES EXCESSIVE WEAR?*AK (TIRESIZE: 195/60VR15) | 56.0% | 54.5%ODI 501223TIRES BLOW OUT DUE TO RIM BEING MADE OF A SOFT ALLOY/RUBBER BEING TOO THIN. *DSH | 94.7%ODI 10394382 · 96,000 miON 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 C… | 87.5%ODI 10165735 · 60,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE STEERING WAS ERRATIC. THE CONTACT NOTICED UNUSUAL HYDROPLANING IN SMALL PUDDLES OF WATER ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT NOTICED CHUNKS ON THE OUTSIDE RIM OF THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THERE WAS UNUSUAL WEAR ON THE TIRES. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ALIGNMENT WAS BAD ON THE VEHICLE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS MICHELIN. MODEL: ENERGY. SIZE: 195/60/R15.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 33.6%ODI 10010637 · 100,000 miINTERIOR FIRE IN CAR, MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE SEAT HEATERS. CAR SEATS WERE SOURCE OF FIRE. CAR WAS INCINERATED. *JB | 43.6%ODI 10057945CONSUMER'S HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE SEATS FABRIC CONTAINED THE FIRE. *AK *NM | 94.7%ODI 10005430 · 85,000 mi1996 VOLVO 850 - DRIVERS SIDE SEAT, HOLE BURNED IN SEAT DUE TO HEATED SEAT FAILURE. | 76.5%ODI 10025051CONSUMER'S COMPLAINT REGARDING RECALL CAMPAIGN 112. *MR (RECALL # 02V314000) THE SEAT HEATER DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A NOTICE WHICH INDICATED THAT IN THE INSTANCE WHERE THE SEAT HEATERS DIDN'T OPERATE, THE CORRECTIVE ACTION MAY NOT RESTORE FULL FUNCTIONALITY. THE REMEDY DID NOT RESTORE THE FULL BENEFIT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED COMPENSATION. THERE WAS ALSO AN A/C PROBLEM. *SCC *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 68.2%ODI 546691AIR BAG WAS SUPPOSEDLY FOUND SPLIT WHEN HORN, STEERING COLUMN, AND STEERING WHEEL WAS BEING REPLACED. VOLVO MAY BE USING POOR QUALITY COMPONENTS IN VEHICLES. | 56.0%ODI 10238103I OWN A 1994 VOLVO 850 SEDAN. I WAS PARKED ON A BUSY DOWNTOWN PORTLAND ST. AND GOT IN MY CAR, TURNED ON THE IGNITION AND MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED. IT WAS SO LOUD I THOUGHT I HAD BEEN SHOT. (AS DID PASSERSBY) MY CAR FILLED WITH WHAT I THOUGHT WAS SMOKE (DUE TO GUNPOWDER SMELL) AND GOT OUT QUICKLY. I WAS VERY DISTRAUGHT AND IN SHOCK...MY ARMS AND CHEST HAD BURNS AND CUTS AND BRUISES INSTANTLY. I WENT TO THE ER..THANKFULLY NOTHING BROKEN BUT NOW MY INSURANCE COMPANY (FARMER'S) IS SAYING IT'S NOT COVERED SINCE IT IS "SO RARE" AND THEY FEEL "DEFECTIVE EQU… | 76.3%ODI 533291NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION, RESULTING IN INJURIES AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. 533194 DUP OF 533291; POSTED ON 09-07-1999. *AK | 42.1%ODI 539946BOTH AIRBAG'S DEPLOYED AFTER RUNNING OVER A MANHOLE THAT HAD IT'S COVER MISSING, BREAKING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, AND INJURED THE DRIVER'S RIGHT WRIST. THERE WAS REAR SUSPENSION DAMAGE. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 68.2%ODI 10037093 · 150,000 miFAILED TRANSMISSION AFTER 45,000 MILES. EXTENDED WARRANTY REPLACED IT. FAILED CONTROL SWITCH FOR AIR CONDITIONING A/C AND EVAPORATOR UNIT AT 135,000. *AK | 22.4%ODI 523964ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE FAILED. IN ADDITION, DEFROSTER MALFUNCTIONED, LEAVING WINDSHIELD COVERED WITH ICE AND SNOW, CREATING A DANGEROUS VISIBILITY PROBLEM. *AK | 43.6%ODI 539366FLUID IN AIR CONDITIONER UNIT WAS CORRODING THE EVAPORATOR RESULTING IN LEAKING. | 73.6%ODI 10010196 · 89,000 miMECHANIC INFORMED OWNER THAT AC EVAPORATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT R7R REQUIRES REMOVAL OF DASH. ESTIMATED COST IS $2,000. AC ONLY USED OCCASIONALLY. THIS IS A VERY HIGH COST FOR REPLACING A RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE PART DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. WOULD LIKE VOLVO NA TO ASSIST. *NLM | 32.8%ODI 10025051CONSUMER'S COMPLAINT REGARDING RECALL CAMPAIGN 112. *MR (RECALL # 02V314000) THE SEAT HEATER DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A NOTICE WHICH INDICATED THAT IN THE INSTANCE WHERE THE SEAT HEATERS DIDN'T OPERATE, THE CORRECTIVE ACTION MAY NOT RESTORE FULL FUNCTIONALITY. THE REMEDY DID NOT RESTORE THE FULL BENEFIT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED COMPENSATION. THERE WAS ALSO AN A/C PROBLEM. *SCC *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.2%ODI 10141944DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL BUT HE WAS UNSURE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED CHANGING THE MASTER CYLINDER AND IT WAS CHANGED AT A LOCAL SERVICE STATION, HOWEVER THE LEAK CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CLAIMED THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE ABS. THE MODULE WAS CHANGED, THE LEAK STOPPED AND THE BRAKES WORKED PROPERLY. HE THEN RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V368000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BUT THERE WAS STILL A SMELL OF FUEL. THIS HAPPENED WITH THE WINDOWS UP OR DOWN. THE CHECK EN… | 21.8%ODI 10014063 · 81,500 miVOLVO 850 ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC MODULATOR PUMP DEVELOPED A SIGNIFICANT FLUID LEAK (3-6 OZ PER DAY, OR GREATER). THIS PART IS NON-REPAIRABLE AND MUST BE REPLACED AT GREAT COST (QUOTED $1900). AS A KEY BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENT, FAILURE OF THIS PART MAY CAUSE (1) SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTION DUE TO AIR & MOISTURE INTRUSION INTO THE BRAKE LINES, (2) NON-FUNCTIONING BRAKES WHEN GREATER AMOUNTS OF FLUID ARE SUDDENLY LOST, AND/OR (3) FIRE DANGER, WHEN DRIPPING BRAKE FLUID CONTACTS NEARBY EXHAUST MANIFOLD COMPONENTS. *JB | 63.1%ODI 10013776 · 97,000 miI NOTICED AN ODD NOISE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING ROLLING AROUND IN THE BACK OF THE CAR, BUT NOTHING WAS. AT TIME OF STATE INSPECTION, I ALERTED THE INSPECTORS. THEY FELT SOMETHING BUMPING FROM WITHIN THE GAS TANK. I DISASSEMBLED THE FLOOR COVERINGS AND INSPECTION PORTS FOR FUEL PUMP AND GAUGE SENDER. I REMOVED THE GAUGE SENDER AND LOOKED INTO THE TANK AND OBSERVED A PLASTIC BOWL-LIKE OBJECT SURROUNDING THE FUEL PUMP. I ROCKED THE CAR AND THIS BOWL WOULD SLOSH AGAINST THE PUMP. THIS OBJECT APPEARS TO BE A BAFFLE TO REDUCE SLOSHING AROUN… | 87.5% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1999: 1 complaints · 2000: 1 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2000 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Vehicle Speed Control |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.