1997 Volvo 850 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 6%of 107 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1997 Volvo 850, 6% of the 107 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“I have been getting burned out light bulbs in my 1997 Volvo for a long time and every time I go to the dealer I mentioned to them and they replaced burned bulbs and I mentioned to them to check electrical system to see if they could fix that continuous problem. Their answered was it is okey. I wonder if you have heard this kind of problem from any other owner.”
NHTSA complaint #10020915, filed 2003-06“Headlights failed while on highway. Headlight switch did not work. I phoned Volvo to honor the recall NHTSA campaign id number : 99v235000. Volvo informed me this Volvo did not qualify.”
NHTSA complaint #10118863, filed 2005-05“Third brake light is not working, blinkers do not come on intermittently, and dashboard light does not come on to warn her that the third brake light is not working. Cause unknown, *aktook to dealer to check and repair. Result, taking to dealer to check and repair.”
NHTSA complaint #809784, filed 1997-03“The headlight switch on the vehicle failed. This is a recall item under NHTSA campaign id number 99v235000. In addition, the vehicle in question was manufactured during the date range on the recall notice as verified by Volvo's certificate of origin . However, when this vehicle was taken in for repairs of the recalled item the Volvo dealer (355 - rockville, md) refused to replace the item without cost. The Volvo deal stated that this vehicle was not covered by the recall, but was unable to present anything to adequately demonstate that fact. …”
NHTSA complaint #752123, filed 2001-09Related recalls
- 99V235000Aug 30, 1999Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Operation of the headlight switch, over an extended period of time, can result in inconsistent operation of the switch.Covers: Volvo 850 1997, S70 1998, V70 1998 +1 more
Exterior lighting: 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 complaintsEngine cooling
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 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