Volvo 850 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 413 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file for the Volvo 850, across 6 model years (1995–2000). The 1996 model year has the most complaints (192). The most reported problem area overall is service brakes, hydraulic.
Volvo 850 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 850 year: 1995, 1996. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1996 850: 192 complaints, 2 recalls
- 1995 850: 111 complaints, 2 recalls
- 1997 850: 107 complaints, 3 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Volvo 850 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 81 | 3 | 3 |
| Electrical System | 44 | 3 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 37 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 36 | 4 | 0 |
| Power Train | 35 | 4 | 6 |
| Tires | 34 | 3 | 3 |
| Seats | 27 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 26 | 3 | 1 |
| Visibility | 22 | 3 | 1 |
| Equipment | 21 | 3 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 20 | 3 | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 17 | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 17 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 15 | 4 | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 13 | 3 | 1 |
| Suspension | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Volvo 850 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 850 | 1 | 0 | — | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 1999 850 | 2 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1998 850 | 0 | 0 | — | — | |
| 1997 850 | 107 | 3 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | More complaints than other years |
| 1996 850 | 192 | 2 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1995 850 | 111 | 2 | — | Tires | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Volvo: all Volvo models · Volvo VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo 850 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (111), 1996 (192) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 850 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Volvo 850?
Service Brakes, Hydraulic, with 81 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the Volvo 850 have?
4 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.