1997 Volvo 850 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 6%of 107 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 127,700miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Volvo 850, 6% of the 107 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 127,700 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.
“The contact owns a 1997 Volvo 850 wagon. The vehicle was taken to a service station for tire repair and the following failures were discovered: both rear brakes and calipers were seized and completely inoperable, the emergency brake was also inoperable, and both front inner and outer tie rods needed to be replaced. The estimated repair cost was $1,230. …”
NHTSA complaint #10234149, filed 2008-07, 127,700 miles“When vehicle is shifted in to gear, the vehicle will go in that direction without consumer pushing clutch and gas in, vehicle does this all the time, contacted dealer, and they were not willing assist. When the consumer turned on the ignition, the vehicle moved in reverse, and driver door and fender were damaged, the dealer stated this happened because the manufacturer failed to install a safety switch on manual transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #8001674, filed 2002-01“The consumer was pulling out of the driveway and noticed that the vehicle was not shifting from first gear into second. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the transmission failed. The consumer received no warning lights .”
NHTSA complaint #567844, filed 2002-11“When vehicle was put in reverse it did a 360* turn, causing consumer to fight with the steering wheel to maintain control. Engine was racing, driver turned ignition off to stop vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #862249, filed 2000-05Transmission and drivetrain: 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 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsSteering
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