U.S. public vehicle records

1994 Volvo 850 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

83 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

125,444 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1994 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 17 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 83 complaints (7.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Fuel system concerns	12	14.5%
Engine operation	8	9.6%
Braking behavior	6	7.2%
Steering behavior	6	7.2%
Transmission and shifting	5	6.0%
Electrical and battery issues	3	3.6%

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly

Air Bags:Frontal

Tires

Vehicle Speed Control

Electrical System

Engine And Engine Cooling

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	6
Air Bags:Frontal	5
Tires	5
Vehicle Speed Control	5
Electrical System	4
Engine And Engine Cooling	4
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	4
Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift	4

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 5; Tires: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Electrical System: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift: 4

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 5

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 66 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.

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2014

2018

1995: 12; 1996: 7; 1997: 9; 1998: 3; 1999: 7; 2000: 4; 2001: 4; 2002: 6; 2003: 3; 2004: 3; 2005: 11; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2014: 1; 2018: 1

Pattern summary

Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 12 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 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.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10017505 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)

THE GAS TANK LEAKED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017505 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10108431 · 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)

ON JUNE 1, 2004, MY 1994 VOLVO 850 WAS LEAKING GAS ON MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO VOLVO VILLAGE IN CLEARWATER FOR REPAIR AND THEY REPLACED THE GAS TANK. I PAID $790. I LEARNED ON 2/1/05 THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR VOLVO 850 FOR THE GAS TANK, RECALL R139, INVOLVING 226,000 VOLVO 850S INCLUDING MY 1994 YEAR. RECALL NUMBER: 04V368000. MAKE : VOLVO MODEL : 850 YEAR : 1994 MANUFACTURER : VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V368000 RECALL DATE : JUL 23, 2004 COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE POTENTIAL NU…

Owner-reported narrative. 80,354 miles reported. Look up ODI 10108431 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10058002 · 2004-02-12 (February 12, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10058002 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10131600 · 2005-08-04 (August 4, 2005)

RECENTLY READ AN ARTICLE IN USA TODAY ABOUT VOLVO'S STALLING, LOSING SPEED AND ETC. THAT PERFECTLY DESCRIBES MY PROBLEM WITH MY 1994 VOLVO 850 SEDAN. OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS WE HAVE HAD VERY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES WITH OUR CAR LOSING SPEED AND DYING IN TRAFFIC. AFTER EACH INCIDENT IT HAS RESTARTED AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND WILL NOT REPEAT THE FAILURE WITH ANY FREQUENCY. I HAVE HAD THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND TO A VOLVO DEALERSHIP. BOTH PLACES HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND SINCE WE CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM IT MAKES IT MORE …

Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10131600 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10056609 · 2004-02-05 (February 5, 2004)

VOLVO 850 (1994) FAILURE OF ABS BRAKING. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056609 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10096726 · 2004-10-13 (October 13, 2004)

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE COMMENCED TO ROLL INTO THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER JUMP INTO THE TRUNK WHILE THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL DOWN THE STREET UNTIL IT RAN INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER NECK AND MINOR CUTS AND BRUISES. THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN INCLINE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 159,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096726 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10471432 · 2012-08-19 (August 19, 2012)

THE CONSOLE AND STEERING WHEEL WERE WET FROM RAIN. THE SRS DASH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. ABOUT 5 MILES AFTER THAT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE BAG WAS THE ORIGINAL BAG. THE SRS LIGHT HAD GONE ON ONCE 20 MONTHS BEFORE WHEN THE CONSOLE GOT WET. THE DEALERSHIP RAN A TEST FOR ABOUT $115 EACH ON BOTH OCCASIONS AND SAID THE CAUSE OF THE SRS LIGHT COMING ON WAS INDETERMINATE. TWENTY MONTHS AGO A TOP, LONGTIME VOLVO DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER ASSURED ME THAT AIR BAGS NEVER GO OFF WITHOUT AN IMPACT. HE SAID THERE HAD NOT BEEN A SIN…

Owner-reported narrative. 240,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471432 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 505559 · 1996-06-15 (June 15, 1996)

STEERING WHEEL DIFFICULT/DANGEROUS WHILE MAKING SHARP TURNS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 505559 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10132296 · 2005-08-10 (August 10, 2005)

DT:THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 VOLVO 850. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING HE HAS HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE MECHANIC CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, STARTUP, AND OTHER TIMES. THERE IS NO WARNING TO THIS FAIKURE.THERE IS NO AVERAGE SPEED FOR THIS OCCURRENCE. IF AN A BACKROADTAKE FOOT OF TO GO AROUND THE CURVE THE VEHICLE WILL STALL. WITHIN KAST YEAR IT HAPPENED ON CHRISTMAS DAY. THEN TWO WEEKS KATER, AND THEN THREE AND A HALF MONTHS LATER, AND TODAY AUGUST 10,2005 IT H…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10132296 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 504938 · 1996-05-28 (May 28, 1996)

TRANSMISSION FAILS OCCASIONALLY. *DH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504938 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 708529 · 1999-07-12 (July 12, 1999)

THE CAR STRUCK A POTHOLE IN A JACKSON, MS RESIDENTIAL STREET WHILE TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT (35MPH). THIS ACTION CAUSED THE HORN TO STICK. ACCORDING TO MY MECHANIC, THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON ON THIS TYPE MODEL AND YEAR OF VOLVO. HE SAYS THE CAUSE IS ELECTRICAL CONTACT PROBLEMS IN THE HORN ASSEMBLY WHICH CAUSES THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL TO NEED REPLACING (APPROX $800 COST). SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED WITH THE CONTACT ASSY (RE REPORT # 705930). THIS PROBLEM IS SAFETY RELATED. MY WIFE HAD TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC AFTER THE EVENT WI…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 708529 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 815872 · 1997-09-02 (September 2, 1997)

IF THE CRASH SENSOR LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE UNDER THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT CUP HOLDER BETWEEN THE TWO FRONT SEATS GETS WET IT WILL DISABLE THE AIR BAGS, AND THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT WORK. THE DEALER WANTS THE OWNER TO PAY 1158 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THAT HE IS HAVING WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CAUSING THE AIR BAG AND THE SEAT BELT NOT TO WORK IF EITHER FUNCTION GETS WET. *AK VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED FLASHING LIGHTS AND DEALER STATED THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY REGULATOR, CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE CRASH SENSOR DID NOT GET WET DUE TO IT HAD NOT …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 815872 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

83 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

20.5%Usable mileage17 / 83 records

89.2%Valid incident date74 / 83 records

100.0%Valid filing date83 / 83 records

89.2%Ordered incident and filing dates74 / 83 records

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.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1999	2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	34.1% ODI 10021565 NAR 05/21/2003. MR DEFECTIVE ANTILOCK BRAKE PUMP. CB Look up ODI 10021565 at NHTSA ↗	44.8% ODI 10056609 · 95,000 mi VOLVO 850 (1994) FAILURE OF ABS BRAKING. *JB Look up ODI 10056609 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10138511 at NHTSA ↗	3216.7% ODI 10011583 THE ABS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB Look up ODI 10011583 at NHTSA ↗	98.4% ODI 10019425 WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. *NLM Look up ODI 10019425 at NHTSA ↗	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 mi 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 Look up ODI 10037093 at NHTSA ↗	44.8% ODI 504938 TRANSMISSION FAILS OCCASIONALLY. *DH Look up ODI 504938 at NHTSA ↗	76.3% ODI 549448 SHIFT OVER RIDE ON RECALL BUT THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE THE OWNER TO FIX IT. YH Look up ODI 549448 at NHTSA ↗	94.7% ODI 604209 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GET OUT OF PARK DUE TO COMPUTER CHIP FAILURE. Look up ODI 604209 at NHTSA ↗	32.8% ODI 10234149 · 127,700 mi TL*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 … Look up ODI 10234149 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	22.7% ODI 567713 THE PLASTIC GASOLINE TANK LEAKED GASOLINE. *SCC Look up ODI 567713 at NHTSA ↗	67.2% ODI 10017505 THE GAS TANK LEAKED. *JB Look up ODI 10017505 at NHTSA ↗	10.9% ODI 770648 NO SUMMARY. DT Look up ODI 770648 at NHTSA ↗	2010.4% ODI 10004488 · 80,000 mi CONSUMER 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 Look up ODI 10004488 at NHTSA ↗	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 759415 REPLACED 7 TIRES. TOO MANY FOR LOW MILES. VOLVO FRONT END CAUSES EXCESSIVE WEAR?*AK (TIRESIZE: 195/60VR15) Look up ODI 759415 at NHTSA ↗	56.0% ODI 482943 THREE MICHELIN TIRES BLEW OUT. *SKD Look up ODI 482943 at NHTSA ↗	54.5% ODI 501223 TIRES BLOW OUT DUE TO RIM BEING MADE OF A SOFT ALLOY/RUBBER BEING TOO THIN. *DSH Look up ODI 501223 at NHTSA ↗	94.7% ODI 10394382 · 96,000 mi 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 C… Look up ODI 10394382 at NHTSA ↗	87.5% ODI 10165735 · 60,000 mi DT: 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 Look up ODI 10165735 at NHTSA ↗	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 mi INTERIOR FIRE IN CAR, MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE SEAT HEATERS. CAR SEATS WERE SOURCE OF FIRE. CAR WAS INCINERATED. *JB Look up ODI 10010637 at NHTSA ↗	43.6% ODI 10057945 CONSUMER'S HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE SEATS FABRIC CONTAINED THE FIRE. AK NM Look up ODI 10057945 at NHTSA ↗	94.7% ODI 10005430 · 85,000 mi 1996 VOLVO 850 - DRIVERS SIDE SEAT, HOLE BURNED IN SEAT DUE TO HEATED SEAT FAILURE. Look up ODI 10005430 at NHTSA ↗	76.5% ODI 10025051 CONSUMER'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 Look up ODI 10025051 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Frontal	68.2% ODI 546691 AIR BAG WAS SUPPOSEDLY FOUND SPLIT WHEN HORN, STEERING COLUMN, AND STEERING WHEEL WAS BEING REPLACED. VOLVO MAY BE USING POOR QUALITY COMPONENTS IN VEHICLES. Look up ODI 546691 at NHTSA ↗	56.0% ODI 10238103 I 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… Look up ODI 10238103 at NHTSA ↗	76.3% ODI 533291 NO 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 Look up ODI 533291 at NHTSA ↗	42.1% ODI 539946 BOTH 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. Look up ODI 539946 at NHTSA ↗	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 mi 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 Look up ODI 10037093 at NHTSA ↗	22.4% ODI 523964 ELECTRONIC CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE FAILED. IN ADDITION, DEFROSTER MALFUNCTIONED, LEAVING WINDSHIELD COVERED WITH ICE AND SNOW, CREATING A DANGEROUS VISIBILITY PROBLEM. *AK Look up ODI 523964 at NHTSA ↗	43.6% ODI 539366 FLUID IN AIR CONDITIONER UNIT WAS CORRODING THE EVAPORATOR RESULTING IN LEAKING. Look up ODI 539366 at NHTSA ↗	73.6% ODI 10010196 · 89,000 mi MECHANIC 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 Look up ODI 10010196 at NHTSA ↗	32.8% ODI 10025051 CONSUMER'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 Look up ODI 10025051 at NHTSA ↗	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 10141944 DT: 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… Look up ODI 10141944 at NHTSA ↗	21.8% ODI 10014063 · 81,500 mi VOLVO 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 Look up ODI 10014063 at NHTSA ↗	63.1% ODI 10013776 · 97,000 mi I 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… Look up ODI 10013776 at NHTSA ↗	87.5% ODI 10003367 · 45,000 mi DEFECTIVE ABS MODULE ON 1997 VOLVO 850 T5 Look up ODI 10003367 at NHTSA ↗	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 failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	Too few reports for a range	80,354 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10108431 · 80,354 mi ON JUNE 1, 2004, MY 1994 VOLVO 850 WAS LEAKING GAS ON MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO VOLVO VILLAGE IN CLEARWATER FOR REPAIR AND THEY REPLACED THE GAS TANK. I PAID $790. I LEARNED ON 2/1/05 THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR VOLVO 850 FOR THE GAS TANK, RECALL R139, INVOLVING 226,000 VOLVO 850S INCLUDING MY 1994 YEAR. RECALL NUMBER: 04V368000. MAKE : VOLVO MODEL : 850 YEAR : 1994 MANUFACTURER : VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V368000 RECALL DATE : JUL 23, 2004 COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE POTENTIAL NU… Look up ODI 10108431 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	120,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10131600 · 120,000 mi RECENTLY READ AN ARTICLE IN USA TODAY ABOUT VOLVO'S STALLING, LOSING SPEED AND ETC. THAT PERFECTLY DESCRIBES MY PROBLEM WITH MY 1994 VOLVO 850 SEDAN. OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS WE HAVE HAD VERY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES WITH OUR CAR LOSING SPEED AND DYING IN TRAFFIC. AFTER EACH INCIDENT IT HAS RESTARTED AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES AND WILL NOT REPEAT THE FAILURE WITH ANY FREQUENCY. I HAVE HAD THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND TO A VOLVO DEALERSHIP. BOTH PLACES HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND SINCE WE CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM IT MAKES IT MORE … Look up ODI 10131600 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10133654 · 125,444 mi I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. STRANGELY, FIRST IT STARTED OUT CUTTING OFF WHENEVER I WOULD MAKE A RIGHT TURN. THE CAR WOULD JUST CUT OFF, ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH WOULD COME ON. I HAVE HAD THREE AUTO REPAIR PLACES LOOK AT IT. OF COURSE I WAS ADVISED TO DO SEVERAL THINGS WHICH THEY THOUGHT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT. WELL THE LASTEST AND WORST HAPPENED ON 8/6 WHEN THE CAR CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND ON A BUSY STREET. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE FAR SIDE AND SWITCH THE CAR OFF AND IT STARTED RIGHT … Look up ODI 10133654 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10161814 · 80,000 mi I BELIEVE IT'S THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. I'VE HAD THE PART REPLACED AND YET THE CAR STILL RUNS POORLY. IT STALLS, LOOSES SPEED, AND QUITS RUNNING ALL TOGETHER. IT IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. *JB Look up ODI 10161814 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	268,964 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10238806 · 268,964 mi STALLS ALL THE TIME MECHANIC CAN'T FIND PROBLEM THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS. IT STALLS AT 60MPH AND IT STALLS WHILE IDLING. IT STALLED 7 TIMES GOING A TOTAL OF 4.5 MILES. HELP *TR Look up ODI 10238806 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

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

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	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.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1999: 1 complaints · 2000: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
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

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
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 co-occurrence matrix
Component	Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	Air Bags:Frontal	Tires	Vehicle Speed Control	Electrical System	Engine And Engine Cooling	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Air Bags:Frontal	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 815872 IF THE CRASH SENSOR LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE UNDER THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT CUP HOLDER BETWEEN THE TWO FRONT SEATS GETS WET IT WILL DISABLE THE AIR BAGS, AND THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT WORK. THE DEALER WANTS THE OWNER TO PAY 1158 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THAT HE IS HAVING WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CAUSING THE AIR BAG AND THE SEAT BELT NOT TO WORK IF EITHER FUNCTION GETS WET. *AK VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED FLASHING LIGHTS AND DEALER STATED THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY REGULATOR, CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE CRASH SENSOR DID NOT GET WET DUE TO IT HAD NOT … Look up ODI 815872 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Tires	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	2 ODI 513850 TIRES: MICHELIN 205/50/16 ZR RATED MXM. RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLOW OUT DURING FIRST YEAR. ALLOY CONSTRUCTION OF RIMS ARE PRONE TO DAMAGE. OTHER THREE TIRES BLEW OUT SHORTLY AFTER. JACK APPARATUS IS POORLY DESIGNED--CAR FELL OFF JACK SEVERAL TIMES. Look up ODI 513850 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 525530 SPARE TIRE BLEW OUT. Look up ODI 525530 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle Speed Control	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	0	1 ODI 815872 IF THE CRASH SENSOR LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE UNDER THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT CUP HOLDER BETWEEN THE TWO FRONT SEATS GETS WET IT WILL DISABLE THE AIR BAGS, AND THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT WORK. THE DEALER WANTS THE OWNER TO PAY 1158 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THAT HE IS HAVING WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CAUSING THE AIR BAG AND THE SEAT BELT NOT TO WORK IF EITHER FUNCTION GETS WET. *AK VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED FLASHING LIGHTS AND DEALER STATED THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY REGULATOR, CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE CRASH SENSOR DID NOT GET WET DUE TO IT HAD NOT … Look up ODI 815872 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 974835 FRONT PASSENGER REPLACEMENTS AND ORIGINAL RIM CRACKED THREE TIMES WITHIN THIRTY DAYS, RESULTING IN FLAT TIRES, REPLACE RIMS THREE TIMES. TT FIRST OCCASION, HIT A POT HOLE AND TIRE BUSTED AND WHEEL CRACKED, SECOND OCCASTION, HIT A BUMP AND TIRE WENT FLAT AND WHEEL CRACKED, ON THIRD OCCASION, HIT A HOLE AND WHEEL CRACKED AGAIN, CONSUMER STATES CRAKED WHEELS ONLY OCCUR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. RIGHT REAR SEAT BACK NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. WEATHER STIP DEFECTIVE, KEPT FALLING OFF. JACK BROKE PRIOR TO RECALL. BATTERY WAS REPLACED. ENGINE T… Look up ODI 974835 at NHTSA ↗
Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift	0	0	2 ODI 513850 TIRES: MICHELIN 205/50/16 ZR RATED MXM. RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLOW OUT DURING FIRST YEAR. ALLOY CONSTRUCTION OF RIMS ARE PRONE TO DAMAGE. OTHER THREE TIRES BLEW OUT SHORTLY AFTER. JACK APPARATUS IS POORLY DESIGNED--CAR FELL OFF JACK SEVERAL TIMES. Look up ODI 513850 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 525530 SPARE TIRE BLEW OUT. Look up ODI 525530 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	1 ODI 974835 FRONT PASSENGER REPLACEMENTS AND ORIGINAL RIM CRACKED THREE TIMES WITHIN THIRTY DAYS, RESULTING IN FLAT TIRES, REPLACE RIMS THREE TIMES. TT FIRST OCCASION, HIT A POT HOLE AND TIRE BUSTED AND WHEEL CRACKED, SECOND OCCASTION, HIT A BUMP AND TIRE WENT FLAT AND WHEEL CRACKED, ON THIRD OCCASION, HIT A HOLE AND WHEEL CRACKED AGAIN, CONSUMER STATES CRAKED WHEELS ONLY OCCUR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. RIGHT REAR SEAT BACK NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. WEATHER STIP DEFECTIVE, KEPT FALLING OFF. JACK BROKE PRIOR TO RECALL. BATTERY WAS REPLACED. ENGINE T… Look up ODI 974835 at NHTSA ↗	—

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.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

8 mentions · 9.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 120,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10058002

WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED. *AK

Look up ODI 10058002 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10131600 · 120,000 mi

Look up ODI 10131600 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10132296

Look up ODI 10132296 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

4 mentions · 4.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 91,000 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10141944

DT: 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…

Look up ODI 10141944 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10415678 · 130,000 mi

I HAVE HAD THE SMELL OF GAS AND EVIDENCE OF LEAKS AT THE GAS TANK FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS PLUS. I CALLED VOLVO TWO YEARS AGO ABOUT THE RECALL (NHTSA # EA03008 FROM JULY/2004). I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR VIN DOES NOT MATCH THE RECALL. I JUST HAD THE TANK PULLED BY MY MECHANIC AND IT IS A PLASTIC TANK WHICH IS LEAKING FROM THE 3 BOLTS WHICH ATTACH IT TO THE HEAT SHIELD- EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL- AND IT HAS BEEN OPERATED IN A HOT WEATHER STATE(TX). THIS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY EXCLUDE THIS FROM RECALL. I AM GETTI…

Look up ODI 10415678 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10457791 · 52,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 VOLVO 850 TURBO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, FUEL LEAKED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V368000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE) WAS PERFORMED SEVEN YEARS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

Look up ODI 10457791 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 2.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 240,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10141944

Look up ODI 10141944 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10471432 · 240,000 mi

Look up ODI 10471432 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b