1997 Volvo 850 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 6%of 107 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Volvo 850, 6% of the 107 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 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.
“This complaint applies to two years of the same model 850 Volvo,a 1994 and a1997t. Both cars had main oil seal failures. The 1994 car was a high mileage car with about 180,000 miles it started leaking at 150,000 miles and progressively got worse to point of one to two quarts a day. We decided to trade the car in and purchase another 850 because we had good service out of the car except for the oil leaks. I was honest with the dealer why I was trading in the car. The dealer was the local dealer for dayton ohio,frank z imports. …”
NHTSA complaint #10110679, filed 2005-02, 90,000 miles“Unintended acceleration. Car in normal drive, just starts to accelerate. Also sometimes engine races while in park or idle for no reason. Occurs randomly, but has been recurring daily for two weeks. Haven't taken to dealer yet.”
NHTSA complaint #10341787, filed 2010-07, 150,000 miles“Air pump was initially replaced under warranty on 02/18/1999 (mileage 47462) and failed again 14 mos. Latter (the car is now out of warranty). The estimated cost to repair is $400. The ABS control module was initially replaced 07/13/1998 (mileage 33659) and has failed just this week (08/15). Don't have an estimate of the repair cost, but believe it will be $300-400. These 2 failures don't speak very well for the quality of the parts used by Volvo.”
NHTSA complaint #728130, filed 2000-08“Exhaust fumes leaking into vehicle. Vehicle been to dealer shop, and at independent repair shop on one occasion each. But, problem still reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #899912, filed 2001-12“Consumer states vehicle has experienced numerous tire blowouts, consumer has replaced a set of tires each year, (no other tire info given)consumer states the wheel beraing had to be replaced”
NHTSA complaint #567248, filed 2002-08Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Volvo 850
33 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsSeats
10 complaintsTires
9 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Volvo 850
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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