1994 Volvo 850 problems
Owners have filed 108 complaints about the 1994 Volvo 850 with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 12% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 10.2%.
Complaints108
Crashes7
Fires3
Injuries10
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 12.0% · 13
Fuel system, gasoline 10.2% · 11
Engine and engine cooling 10.2% · 11
Air bags 7.4% · 8
Visibility 7.4% · 8
Tires 7.4% · 8
Power train 6.5% · 7
Equipment 6.5% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 7 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire and 10 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 4 model years of the Volvo 850 in this data, 1994 draws comparatively few complaints; 1996 is the outlier year.
Filings are rising — 5 in the last three years against 4 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 127,722 miles.
In owners' own words
The steering wheel material on which the horn ring was mounted disintegrated. The result was the electrically charged horn mechanism intolerably adjacent to the airbag mechanisme in the steering wheel. The horn electrics had to be disconnected as did the airbag to operate the vehicle without danger of incorrectly activating the air bag and causing an accident. *Ak *mjs Electrical system
I believe it's the electronic throttle control. I've had the part replaced and yet the car still runs poorly. It stalls, looses speed, and quits running all together. It is a very serious and dangerous situation. Electrical system · reported at 80,000 miles
Horn comes on and off intermittently, and without prior warning there is no sound. Also, after fifth attemp to start, it comes on. Dealership told consumer that her contacts were bad. Electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…