1996 Volvo 850 problems
Owners have filed 235 complaints about the 1996 Volvo 850 with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 21.3% of them — the clear leader, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 9.8%.
Complaints235
Crashes14
Fires27
Injuries13
Deaths3
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 21.3% · 50
Fuel system, gasoline 9.8% · 23
Electrical system 8.9% · 21
Engine and engine cooling 8.9% · 21
Power train 6.4% · 15
Tires 5.1% · 12
Equipment 4.7% · 11
Seat belts 4.7% · 11
Severity
Of those complaints, 14 describe a crash, 27 describe a fire, 13 report an injury and 3 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 4 model years of the Volvo 850 in this data, 1996 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 4 in the last three years against 9 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 100,000 miles.
In owners' own words
I have not yet replaced the faulty abs module on my car because no one knows exactly what the problem is. I have researched it and the abs module has been faulty on many Volvo 850. Sometimes my abs/tracs (traction control) light turns on indicating that I no longer have abs brakes, but do still have normal ones. The system seems to fail randomly, and more frequently in warmer weather. Dt Service brakes, hydraulic
While driving applied the brakes and the vehicle will not stop. Driver pumped on the brakes and then the vehicle stopped. Took vehicle to dealer several times. The first time they replaced the master cylinder , and two months earlier, dealer replace the rear rotors. May01, 98, dealer rewired the braking system. The driver hears noise when the vehicle goes over a large bump. Service brakes, hydraulic
The abs/tracs system is not working properly. Warning lights indicating that this system is not working properly has been on for many months. The dealer has indicated that the abs/tracs system needs to be replaced at a repair bill of $750.00. This is a major problem with the volvos and I believe that the Volvo corp. Should be held accountable for this design flaw. Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…