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Electrical systemPart report

1996 Volvo 850 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
18about this part
Share
9%of 192 total for the year
Median mileage
73,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Volvo 850, 9% of the 192 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,000 miles. 8 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The entire alternator wiring harness was melted and destroyed before the fuseable link opened the circuit. This clearly is not an acceptable electrical design. In fact, it is my contention that if my wife had not turned the car off when she did, due to the white smoke from the fan, the wiring harness would have caught on fire. Most likely the resulting fire would have destroyed the car as the melted wiring harness is directly under and around the engines fuel injection system. Personally inspected the electrical damage, and was appalled by how much of the wiring was fused together. …”

NHTSA complaint #10030704, filed 2003-08

“The contact owns a 1996 Volvo 850. The contact stated that when traveling over different deviations on the road, the rear end of the vehicle would fish tail. In addition, the vehicle would sporadically stall without warning. The contact would have to receive a jump start in order to restart the vehicle each time the vehicle stalled. The dealer was notified who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact tried contacting the manufacturer via web mail but to no avail. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10376732, filed 2011-01, 150,805 miles

“When traveling consumer noticed smoke coming from driver's side near and around the dashboard. When the consumer lost all headlights and taillights, consumer contacted dealer. Dealer noted that wiring melted inside the dashboard, causing short circuit.”

NHTSA complaint #854308, filed 2000-01

“Consumer noticed an odd smell inside of vehicle while traveling. Consumer pulled vehicle over and noticed smoke coming from under hood and a fire. Fire department was called and put fire out.”

NHTSA complaint #10040474, filed 2003-09

“While driving 40 to 45mph smelled something burning. Vehicle started filling with smoke, and consumer saw flames coming from under dash. Interior was engulfed in flames by time fire department arrived.”

NHTSA complaint #8006804, filed 2002-04

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
19971312%
1996189%
19951312%
19941214%
1993912%

Other parts of the 1996 Volvo 850

Brakes
55 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsEquipment
12 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsTires
11 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1996 Volvo 850

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology