Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 107 | −30% | 3 | Brake | Average |
| 1996 | 192 | 1.8× | 2 | Brake | Caution |
| 1995 | 111 | −27% | 2 | Wheel & Tire | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median 850 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Volvo 850 problems
Latest Volvo 850 recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
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.
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
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.
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
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.
Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift
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.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Volvo 850 should you avoid?
1996 — this year has the most complaints relative to other 850 years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 1996.
What is the best year for the Volvo 850?
1997 has the fewest complaints compared with other 850 years at the same age, followed by 1995. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Volvo 850 problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (99), electrical system (44) and fuel & propulsion system (44). Brake complaints peak in the 1996 model year.
How many recalls has the Volvo 850 had?
4 recalls across 1995–1997. The model year with the most is 1997. See all Volvo 850 recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.