Volvo 850 years to avoid
The Volvo 850 years to avoid are 1996 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1998 is the cleanest year on record.
732
Total complaints
6
Recall campaigns
1993–2000
Years covered
1
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
850 years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | High complaint rate | 235 |
Every 850 year
Common questions
What are the worst Volvo 850 years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the 850 years to avoid are 1996. The cleanest year on record is 1998.
What is the best year for the Volvo 850?
By complaint volume, 1998 has the cleanest NHTSA record among 850 years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Volvo 850 have?
Across all model years, the 850 has 6 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 732 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.