VehicleVerdict

1996 Volvo 850 fuel system problems

The 1996 Volvo 850 has 26 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 11% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

26

Fuel System complaints

11%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

850 fuel system complaints by model year26 complaints1993: 6 complaints1994: 14 complaints1995: 16 complaints1996: 26 complaints1997: 5 complaints
850 fuel system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

04V368000Fuel SystemJuly 30, 2004 · 226,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, AFTER PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO HEAT, THE FUEL TANK MAY SEEP OR LEAK FUEL AT THE POINTS WHERE THE HEAT SHIELD IS ATTACHED.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

VOLVO WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE IT IF ANY EVIDENCE OF FUEL SEEPAGE OR LEAKAGE IS FOUND. ALL VEHICLES WILL RECEIVE NEW REINFORCEMENT BUSHINGS AT THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO PREVENT FUTURE LEAKS. THIS RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED AS A SAFETY RECALL IN THE HOT WEATHER STATES OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, AND UTAH, AND AS A SERVICE RECALL IN THE OTHER 33 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

What owners report

I OWN A 1996 VOLVO 850 GLT STATION WAGON WITH 72,500 MILES. THE FUEL TANK CRACKED AND DEVELOPED A LEAK FROM THE FOWARD HEAT SHIELD MOUNT ON THE GAS TANK. THERE WAS RAW GAS LEAKING 3 TO 4 INCHES FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A CRASH NOR HAVE WE HIT OR RUN OVER ANYTHING THAT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 18, 2004

Common questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 1996 Volvo 850 have?

NHTSA has 26 complaints about the 1996 Volvo 850 fuel system — 11% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Volvo 850 fuel system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the fuel system: 04V368000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.