MYRModel Year Report

1996 Volvo 850

○ Not enough data
1996 Volvo 850
RENDERED 2026-08-02T14:20:37.334Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volvo 850 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1993: 73 complaints 1993 1994: 83 complaints 1994 1995: 111 complaints 1995 1996: 192 complaints 1996 1997: 107 complaints 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 2 complaints 1999 2000: 1 complaints 2000
1996: 192 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199373
199483
1995111
1996192
1997107
19980
19992
20001

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 17%

17% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 32 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 10%

10% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 20 distinct reports on file.

TIRES 5%

5% of complaints: tires — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVING AT SPEED 15MPH, RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPLODED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE, IMPACT MEDIA STRIP, AT 12:00 POSITION, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19961010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS FOUR COOPER ZEON SPT TIRES, SIZE 205 55 R16. THE CONTACT WAS ROTATING THE TIRES, WHEN HE NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WAS BALD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131017

SEATS 5%

5% of complaints: seats — 9 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

1996 VOLVO 850 - DRIVERS SIDE SEAT, HOLE BURNED IN SEAT DUE TO HEATED SEAT FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030206

AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE, I SWITCHED THE SEAT HEATER ON AND DROVE AWAY. WITHIN 2 MINUTES OF DRIVING, A SHARP PAIN DEVELOPED IN MY RIGHT BUTTOCK. WITHIN SECONDS A TRAIL OF DARK SMOKE ROSE FROM THE SAME AREA.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020904

POWER TRAIN 5%

5% of complaints: power train — 9 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

AUTO-TRAN: WHILE PARKED, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF PARK, ROLLED DOWN INCLINE, HIT A HOUSE. NOTE: LEASED VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19960719

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19961028 — engine and engine cooling

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, A

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 H

Campaign 96E025000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19971023 — PE (closed 19980213)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE

I 19990607 — PE (closed 19991027)

INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

I 20020307 — PE (closed 20020822)

PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20020822 — EA (closed 20021218)

SEAT FIRES

I 20030116 — PE (closed 20030611)

FUEL TANK LEAKS

R 20030219 — seats

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

Campaign 02V314000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030611 — EA (closed 20040728)

FUEL TANK LEAKS

R 20040924 — fuel system, gasoline

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 PRE

Campaign 04V368000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Volvo 850 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (20 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for tires issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96E025000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V314000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V368000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1996 Volvo 850 reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Volvo 850?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Volvo 850 have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.