1996 Volvo 850 Brakes Problems

“I have a 1996 Volvo 850 turbo station wagon. It has only 41,000 miles but the ABS light would come on and off. I am told this is a common problem for the car. Volvo claims it is one of the safest car on the road and quite reliable. I disagree. Pls. Ask Volvo to issue a recall as this is annoying and could prove to be dangerous.”

“The ABS and tracs off idiot lamps turn on and off intermittently in my 850. I can be driving around on dry pavement with very little throttle input, and the traction control will engage (audible whirring of the ABS modulator pump and stiff pulsating brake pedal - quickly applied to confirm my suspicion). This will light the lamps. Likewise, I can be braking on a dry surface at a low decel, and the ABS will engage. This will also light the lamps and shut off ABS/tracs. After a while, the lights will turn off, and ABS and tracs function normally. …”

“I noticed an odd noise which sounded like something rolling around in the back of the car, but nothing was. At time of state inspection, I alerted the inspectors. They felt something bumping from within the gas tank. I disassembled the floor coverings and inspection ports for fuel pump and gauge sender. I removed the gauge sender and looked into the tank and observed a plastic bowl-like object surrounding the fuel pump. I rocked the car and this bowl would slosh against the pump. This object appears to be a baffle to reduce sloshing around the pump. …”

“1996 850 Volvo wagon ABS brake failure. The ABS brake computer periodically turns itself off (the ABS dash light comes on). This wouldn't be too bad because the brakes will work fine even if the ABS system malfunctions. Except when the system first malfunctions. There is a one to two second interval when you try to apply the brakes and the pedal fights you, vibrates, then allows normal braking (not to be confused with the ABS chatter that happens when it is working properly and a wheel is slipping). My ABS system turns off every time I drive the car, you're just never sure when. …”

“1996 Volvo 850 - ABS light intermittent - not sure if ABS is working or not - told by Volvo repair specialists that this is a common occurrence on the 96 & 97 models - also told that ABS computer has tendency to burn out relatively quickly on this model & year - told to go ahead and replace it - again - had it replaced less than 4 years ago -”