VehicleVerdict

1997 Volvo 850 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1997 Volvo 850 sits mid-pack among 850 years: 142 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 102, with 3 recalls and 3 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (34), electrical system (18), and tires & wheels (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

142

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other 850 years?

850 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted235 complaints1993: 96 complaints1994: 108 complaints1995: 148 complaints1996: 235 complaints1997: 142 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 2 complaints2000: 1 complaints
850 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 850 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Volvo 850 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3424%
Electrical System1813%
Seats118%
Tires & Wheels118%
Lighting86%
Visibility & Wipers86%
Seat Belts75%
Speed Control64%
Steering64%
Engine64%
Transmission64%
Fuel System54%
Suspension43%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)32%
Body & Structure32%
Other21%
Airbags21%
Latches & Locks11%
Child Seat11%

Does the 1997 Volvo 850 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

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.

02V314000SeatsNovember 19, 2002 · 65,000 units

Defect

ON SOME SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT HEATERS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT EXCESSIVE COMPRESSION OF THE SEAT CUSHION COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING OF THE SEAT HEATER.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL DISCONNECT THE EXISTING WIRES AND INSTALL A NEW ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT AND CABLE HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

99V235000LightingAugust 30, 1999 · 139,588 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.

Consequence

DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

IN RAINY CONDITIONS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING NO BRAKING ABILITY AT ALL, AND RESULTING IN TWO CRASHES. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 8, 1999 · crash

THIS IS SIMILAR TO PRIOR COMPLAINTS: 528520, 533799,848379,869541. WHEN DRIVING THRU A PUDDLE/IN RAIN, AT TIMES, ALL DASHBOARD INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASH AND POWER IS LOST INCLUDING TO THE STEERING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. ALSO I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY AIR PUMP SIMILAR TO COMPLAINT NO. 728130. I…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 2, 2001 · crash

FIRE ERUPTED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH SMOKE VERY QUICKLY, THIS VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED FROM EUROPE THEREFORE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER CAME AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT WITH THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED LITTLE DAMAGE BECAUSE THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS AVAILABLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · fire

THE TIRE DEALER RECOMMENDED MICHELIN PRIMACY MXV4 AS A REPLACEMENT TIRE FOR MY 1997 VOLVO 850 (NORMALLY ASPIRATED) SEDAN. THE MICHELIN WEBSITE DESCRIBED THIS TIRE AS AN "ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTE" FOR THE TIRES SPECIFIED BY VOLVO BECAUSE MICHELIN NO LONGER OFFERS HIGH PERFORMANCE TIRES IN MY SIZE.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 3, 2014 · crash

WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING WHILE IN USE. THE ARM FELL OFF. WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS REPLACED. ALSO, THE POWER STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers

1997 Volvo 850 — common questions

Is the 1997 Volvo 850 reliable?

It is close to typical for the 850: 142 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and 3 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1997 850 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (34 complaints), electrical system (18 complaints), tires & wheels (11 complaints).

Does the 1997 Volvo 850 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Volvo 850. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Volvo 850 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volvo 850 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 850 years to avoid are 1996. The cleanest record among 850 years belongs to 1998.

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.