1996 Volvo 850 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 2%of 192 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 103,218miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1996 Volvo 850, 2% of the 192 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,218 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Runaway accelerator ? On entering interstate, I quickly realized that the accelerator was locked into the floored position. I had a runaway situation with traffic. I was unable to slow the car or release the accelerator. Fortunately, I had the knowledge and sense to slow the car. Pumping the brakes did not help. I managed to hold the brakes while downshifting into the low and then lowest gear in automatic transmission. I managed to negotiate the car toward the shoulder and eventually threw the transmission into the park gear. The car jolted, then stopped. …”
NHTSA complaint #10459228, filed 2012-05, 185,500 miles“Dt: odometer/speedometer does not work, v this problem appears to be a flaw in Volvo's manufacturing. Consumer wants name and concern shared with Volvo. Consumer states Volvo knows of this widespread era in their cars. On may 18th 2005 consumer sent a letter to Volvo about the odometer problem, along with a follow up letter on june 9th 2005. Consumer states that failure is due to a small plastic gear in the speedometer.”
NHTSA complaint #10124625, filed 2005-06, 20,937 miles“While driving approx. 45 MPH the car begin to race, as though it were stuck in gear, I applied my brakes, but they did not respond. The car continued to accelete (up hill) on it's own. I attempted to apply the brakes, but to no avail, the car continued to accelerate. I steered the car to jump a curb and applied the emergency brake, the car continued to accelerate. I was no longer in control of the car, so I took off my seat belt and ejected from the car. The car went head on into a truck and was subsequently totalled.”
NHTSA complaint #707078, filed 1999-06Related service bulletins
- 10157889Feb 14, 2019This is a Technical Journal: When sensitive information, like vehicle speed, brake usage, etc. (customer behavoiur information) of a car is required from Volvo Car Corporation…
Vehicle speed control: other model years
Other parts of the 1996 Volvo 850
55 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsEquipment
12 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsTires
11 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Volvo 850
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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