1997 Volvo 850: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 107 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (23% 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 107 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The tire dealer recommended michelin primacy mxv4 as a replacement tire for my 1997 volvo 850 (normally aspirated) sedan. The michelin website described this tire as an "acceptable substitute" for the tires specified by volvo because michelin no longer offers high performance tires in my size. Stopping power is much worse with these new michelin tires. They squeal easily, even at volvo's highest recommended air pressure (36psi). I had difficulty stopping from 50mph in an emergency, for the first time in my 17 year ownership of this vehicle. I blame these new "comfort oriented" tires. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2014
“Unintended acceleration. Car in normal drive, just starts to accelerate. Also sometimes engine races while in park or idle for no reason. Occurs randomly, but has been recurring daily for two weeks. Haven't taken to dealer yet. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 volvo 850. The contact stated when fuel was dispensed into the fuel tank to the full capacity level, she would smell a strong odor of fuel inside and outside of the vehicle. In addition, there would be fuel leakage on the ground underneath the fuel tank. The fuel was dispensed to three quarters of a tank to avoid the failure. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 04v368000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage). The VIN was not included in the recall defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“My daughter used family car, volvo 1997, 850 wagon and the accelerator failed wide open. She narrowly missed 5 young children playing street hockey. Car is inoperable and must be towed to service station for evaluation and repair. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 volvo 850. While driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle began to vibrate for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. The tread then began to separate from the tire and continuously struck the fender of the vehicle. The fender, passenger side door, and rocker panel were damaged. The contact has not notified the tire manufacturer. The VIN, purchase date, engine size, and number of cylinders were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 240,000.”Owner report · Tires · Dec 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 volvo 850. The headlights would not illuminate when the vehicle was started. The headlights would also not dim when the vehicle was turned off. The headlight switch was defective, but it was never used by the contact. When the switch was engaged, the high beams would momentarily illuminate. Her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 99v235000 (exterior lighting:headlights:switch). The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 100,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2007
“1. Loss of acceleration and sometimes stalling during freeway transition from on ramp to freeway and or during left turning against traffic. 2. The car failed to accelerate and the action of pushing the accelerator caused the transmission to down shift causing the extreme slowing and sometimes stalling. The consequences were that traffic was going considerably faster and had to take evasive action to avoid hitting the slowing car. 3. Today the media reported a potential recall of volvo's due to this problem and I believe it should be extended to 1997 model 850 glt. *jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Nov 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35mph on a city street, the vehicle was involved in a front impact collision and the airbags did not deploy. The contact was wearing a seat belt, no injuries were sustained. There was minor damage to the vehicle. The police were alerted, and a report was taken. The vehicle was not inspected. The manufacturer was not alerted.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2006
“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”Owner report · Tires · Aug 2006
“The trac off light comes on on my 1997 volvo 850 glt turbo wagon. Apparently, the trac, no longer works and I have to pay hundreds of dollars to get it fixed. This should be a recall and relates directly to a safety claim made by volvo. From the list serv that I am on, apparently this is a very common problem amongst 1996-1998 volvos. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
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 1997 Volvo 850 reliable?
NHTSA has 107 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Volvo 850. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Volvo 850 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 85,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Volvo 850 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler. 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.