1995 Volvo 850: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 111 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is tires (12% 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 111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“1995 volvo 850 glt, driver side seat belt retracting mechanism (the roller near driver's left shoulder) was stuck. It was very difficult to pull out the belt, sometimes pulling slowly and little by little seems to work it around. Sprayed some lubricant can free it up for a few days, then it will be difficult to pull out the seat belt out again ... It seems to have a defected design somewhere inside. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2010
“My 1995 volvo 850 developed a gas tank leak at a heat shield attachment. This is the same defect that led to a safety recall of volvo 850's in certain southern states and a service recall in the other states in 2004 (see recall campaign 04v368000). I was never provided notice of this recall, and volvo now refuses to pay for the necessary replacement of the gas tank--a substantial expense apparently caused by a safety defect that the company failed to remedy. I am having a new gas tank put in by a volvo dealer today. In researching this problem on the internet, I saw that other affected volvo owners did not receive any notification of the recall from volvo. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 volvo 850. The contact noticed fuel leaking on the floor of his garage underneath the vehicle. Through research, he discovered NHTSA action number ea03008, NHTSA campaign id number 04v368000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage). The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact stated that since the failures were identical, his VIN should be included and the manufacturer should be responsible for the repairs. The current and failure mileages were 117,900. Updated 01/08/09.*jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 volvo 850. The contact noticed gas leaking from the fuel tank. The dealer stated that the leaked occurred where the heat shield was attached. There is a recall fuel system, gasoline: storage (NHTSA campaign id #04v368000) however, the dealer stated that his VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 112,750 and current mileage was 113,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 volvo 850. He noticed a gas smell coming from the rear of the vehicle. He stated that gas leaks from the gas tank when he fills it up. He has not spoken with the dealer or the manufacturer. The current and failure mileage was 132,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2007
“Driver side windshield wiper blades no longer contacts glass because motor spindle axis has become misaligned forcing wiper arm up. Suspect that mounting plate or bracket for motor has become distorted/bent. I bent arm for temporary fix. Other owners of volvo 850 have reported similar problems (www.brickboard).*jb”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2005
“Dt: received manufacturer's recall s139032105, took vehicle to dealer for recall repairs. After an emission test was done vehicle did not pass it. Vehicle was taken back to dealer for a check up. The dealer said that part for the emission was not included in the recall. The manufacturer stated the same thing. This was done on july 18, 2005. Consumer believed this part should be included in the recall because it was related to the defective part mentioned in the recall. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2005
“Consumer received a recall notice for 1995 volvo 850 in which she sold. Consumer wants the new owner contacted in reference to the recall.***no answer required***. *mr before the consumer sold the vehicle she complained of a gas odor, but the dealer always stated there was nothing wrong. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2005
“. 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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2005
“While attempting to start the vehicle it caught fire in the engine compartment without warning. The consumer states that there was excessive fuel leakage. The cause has yet to be determined. Please provide additional information. *nm”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
SOME OF THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY LOAD CAPACITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE SUSPECT JACKS WITH A JACK MEETING THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE CARS.
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 1995 Volvo 850 reliable?
NHTSA has 111 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1995 Volvo 850. The most complained-about area is tires (12% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1995 Volvo 850 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 114,379 miles or less.
Does the 1995 Volvo 850 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:mechanical:accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift. 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.