1994 Volvo 850: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 83 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (13% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 83 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I have a 1994 volvo 850. I have a leak where the heat shield is attached to the gas tank. Volvo is well aware of this problem but my VIN does not show the recall. The leak of gas is 100% from the recalled spot heatshield side of the gas tank. This is a safety issue because it could blow back on the exhaust and cause a fire.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2018
“We smell gas. When stop notice fuel leaking from fuel entry pipe. When got closer look it was leaking from fuel entry pipe that connected to fuel tank. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2014
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2012
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“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 volvo 850. The contact stated that the radiator for the heating core was leaking and emitting chemical fumes into the vehicle. As a result, the contact suffered a severe respiratory problem. The contact was taken to the hospital on various occasions for treatment. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2012
“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 getting the runaround from volvo.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2009
“Engine heater block contact surface does not match correctly with the engine block as intended.,vehicle speed control, cold weather condition ice crystals can form at the throttle in the engine intake system, prevent throttle from returning to idle. Fuel system , the fuel tank may seep or leak fuel at the onto where the heat shield is attached. These are potential problems and need to be fixed no matter if a ticket is opened or not. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Oct 2008
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 volvo 850. The vehicle check strap has failed and is causing the metal to wear out and damage the hinges. The failure is creating a hole in the door. The dealer stated that the pillars need to be replaced. The cost for the repair is $947. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 18,700.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Apr 2007
“Drivers side wiper does not clear windshield. They say to tighten nut but it no longer works. I would have to replace total assembly. I was told this is a persistent problem with the 850. Shouldn't this be fixed by volvo? *jb”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2006
“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 back up. Please I need help. I am scared to get on the interstate in fear that it will shut down on me.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
UNDER VERY COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, ICE CRYSTALS CAN FORM AT THE THROTTLE IN THE ENGINE INTAKE SYSTEM, AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY, THROTTLE CABLE, CHARGE AIR COOLER PIPING AND CRANKCASE VENTILATION HOSES.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact 850 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 Volvo 850 reliable?
NHTSA has 83 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Volvo 850. The most complained-about area is electrical system (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Volvo 850 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 125,444 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Volvo 850 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.