1995 Volvo 850 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1995 Volvo 850 report a wide spread of problems rather than one dominant failure, with fuel leaks and airbag concerns among the most common themes in the sample. Many reports come in at higher mileage, often above 100,000 miles, and several describe symptoms that appear gradually, such as a fuel smell after filling up or a wiper that slowly works loose.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Airbag not deploying, or deploying unexpectedly

   • 13 complaints (12%)
   • typically at 3.5 yrs old
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2002

   Complaints describe airbags that failed to deploy in frontal or side impacts, as well as cases where airbags deployed while the car was parked or with the engine off. Some owners mention the airbag cover curling up or lifting away from the dash. Several reports say the dealer or manufacturer attributed deployment issues to conditions such as liquid in a sensor or an impact judged insufficient to trigger the bags. Reported across a wide mileage range, with many complaints filed without mileage and several tied to specific collisions.

   What to check: Inspect the airbag covers on the dash and steering wheel for curling or gaps, and check whether the airbag warning light comes on and goes out normally when starting the car.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We have witnessed this same problem on many other 850s. This problem is dangerous because it could allow damage to the airbag, from sunlight and debris. I feel that this is a serious problem that the company should address and repair.”

   NHTSA complaint #708293, filed 1999-07

   “The air bag deployed while driver was sitting in the vehicle with the engine off. The dealer was contacted. The inspectors for Volvo stated there was liquid in the air bag sensor and therefore they were not liable. The consumer was injured from the air bag deployment.”

   NHTSA complaint #8012126, filed 2002-10
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and leaks at the fuel tank

   • 10 complaints (9%)
   • median 116,007 mi at 13.3 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2004–2013

   Owners describe a gasoline smell around the rear of the car and, in some cases, visible fuel leaking from under the tank, especially after filling up. Several complaints point to the area where the heat shield attaches to the tank, and some mention a leak at the fuel pump or sending unit cover under the rear seat. According to the complaints, some dealers said the vehicle's VIN was not covered by the fuel tank storage recall, and others reported the leak persisted after recall repairs. Generally reported between roughly 90,000 and 170,000 miles, often noticed after refueling or when the car sits in a garage.

   Recall 04V368000

   What to check: Fill the tank fully and then check for a fuel smell or drips around and under the rear of the car, and ask whether the fuel tank recall work (04V368000) was performed and whether the tank itself has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1995 Volvo 850 developed a gas tank leak at a heat shield attachment. This is the same defect that LED to a safety recall of Volvo 850's in certain southern states and a service recall in the other states in 2004 (see recall campaign 04v368000). I was never provided notice of this recall, and Volvo now refuses to pay for the necessary replacement of the gas tank--a substantial expense apparently caused by a safety defect that the company failed to remedy. I am having a new gas tank put in by a Volvo dealer today. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10267336, filed 2009-04, 91,000 miles

   “I purchased a used vehicle and filled the tank full until auto pump kicked off, drove less than 1 mile home and parked in the garge. The next morning, garage filled with gas fume odor, no visible leak, researched hayned repair manual, found access cover to fuel tank sending unit and fuel pump inside vehicle, removed covers, found fuel leak at fuel pump cover.”

   NHTSA complaint #10083015, filed 2004-07, 95,204 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS light on and brake fluid leaks

   • 10 complaints (9%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 8.4 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2005

   Complaints describe the ABS or traction warning light staying on, accompanied by loss of ABS function, and in some cases a brake fluid leak from the ABS hydraulic unit or modulator. Owners report that repairs, including master cylinder and caliper work, did not always resolve the problem until the ABS unit was replaced. One owner reported wheel lockup under hard braking. Mostly reported between about 80,000 and 135,000 miles, with some complaints filed without mileage.

   What to check: Confirm the ABS warning light does not stay lit after start-up, check the brake fluid level and look for wetness around the ABS hydraulic unit, and ask whether the unit has ever been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Abs/tracks system failure on both 1995, 850 and 1998, v70. When ABS/track light(s) comes on, no ABS/track. Left front weel may pull when braking on v70. Volvo corp. Does not want to do anything about this problem... Made several calls, had inspection/service done by certified Volvo service technician, Volvo will not accept problem...”

   NHTSA complaint #10038932, filed 2003-09, 120,000 miles

   “. I have spent $2200 in the last 3 months while herb gordon tries to figure out the problem with the brakes. They have replaced the brake master cylinder, cleaned and resealed the brake calipers and now as a last resort are replacing the internal ABS system, which finally fixed the problem. Ignition switch replaced, the windshield wiper bolts came loose causing the windshield wipers to stop in the middle of driving on a highway in the rain, air sensors and oxygen sensors seem to need replacing at least twice a year.”

   NHTSA complaint #10138511, filed 2005-10, 133,000 miles
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers lose contact or stop

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • median 166,500 mi at 10.7 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2005

   Owners report that the wiper arm on the driver's side lifts away from the glass or that the wipers stop mid-sweep in rain, leaving poor visibility. Complaints describe a loose nut or bolt on the wiper motor linkage and a spindle or mounting bracket that appears to have shifted. Some owners say dealers tightened the nut or replaced a fuse, with the problem returning in some cases. Reported from about 130,000 miles and up, often during rain or other wet weather.

   What to check: Run the wipers at both speeds and check that the driver's arm stays in firm contact with the glass, and look at the nut and bracket at the wiper motor for looseness or repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car has been taken to the dealer at least 3 times; the problem is temporarily fixed and reoccurs. I have been given different stories, such as it is a result of using different metals and Volvo is aware of the problem. My son was driving the car on an interstate highway last week when a downpour started and he foundout that the driver's wiper failed again. Today the dealer told me the only thing to do is tighten the nut with a 13/16 wrench. …”

   NHTSA complaint #706013, filed 1999-04

   “Windshield wipers experience a problem with a bolt attached to the arm of the motor would not stay tightened, and causes the wipers to become inoperate and lead to a vehicle collison due to poor visibility. Vehicle been in/out of dealer shop on three occasions, and the bolt still loosened.”

   NHTSA complaint #855243, filed 2000-01
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Horn sounds on its own or fails

   • 6 complaints (5%)
   • typically at 4.6 yrs old
   • filed 1998–2002

   Owners describe the horn sounding continuously while driving and having to disconnect it, or the horn failing to work at all. Complaints attribute this to contacts or a short inside the steering column or steering wheel, and in some cases the column was replaced. A few owners say the dealer or manufacturer indicated this was a known issue on the model. Reported at varied mileages, often on cars that had been in use for several years.

   What to check: Test the horn and check whether the steering column or horn contacts show signs of prior repair, and note any aftermarket horn button or disconnected horn wiring.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Horn stuck in on-position while driving on fwy. Had to pull onto shoulder and disconnect wires at horn. Dealer determined short occurred inside steering column. Column replaced at a cost over $360. Volvo customer service line noted this has been a recurrent problem with this make/model. Refused to provide further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #704773, filed 1999-03

   “Gear position sensor,s1 & s2 solenoids: Volvo has known about this defect for some time and should have declared a recall.( Volvo even lost a small claims suit in california over this failure) while Volvo paid $900 of the $1300 repair bill to remedy the problem, they should have paid for the whole bill. Re: horn failure, the Volvo mechanics said Volvo has known about this problem also, but refuses to do any thing about it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #751419, filed 2001-08

Buying note. Given the age of this model year, a pre-purchase inspection focused on the fuel tank and lines, ABS function and wiper linkage is worth the cost. Ask for service records showing whether the fuel tank recall work was done and how the ABS and airbag systems have behaved.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.