MYRModel Year Report

1996 Volvo 850

○ Not enough data
1996 Volvo 850
RENDERED 2026-09-16T16:26:02.576Z

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: 89 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
199489
1995111
1996192
1997107
19980
19992
20001

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 31%

31% of complaints: service brakes — 60 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 12%

12% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and storage.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and exhaust system.

FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front underhood and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIRE
POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

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 issues (60 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (21 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, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Volvo 850 have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.