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Model year record

1994 Volvo 850 recalls & problems

The 1994 Volvo 850 has 3 safety recalls and 83 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (13 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints83filed by owners
Crashes · fires6 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths10 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineJul 30, 2004

Storage

Recall 04V368000226,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
Risk
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix
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.
Engine and engine coolingAug 20, 1996

Engine › Gasoline

Recall 96E025000400 vehicles

Problem
ENGINE BLOCK HEATERS INSTALLED AS ACCESSORIES. THE BLOCK HEATER CONTACT SURFACE DOES NOT MATCH CORRECTLY WITH THE ENGINE BLOCK AS INTENDED. THE BLOCK HEATER COULD COME LOOSE FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK, AND IF BEING USED, COULD POSSIBLY OVERHEAT CAUSING DAMAGE IF IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.
Risk
ENGINE COMPARTMENT DAMAGE COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BLOCK HEATER AND SECURE THE BOLTS USED TO INSTALL THE HEATER. IN SOME CASES, THE SURFACE TOLERANCES MAY BE SO INAPPROPRIATE THAT THE HEATER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH A HEATER OF A MODIFIED DESIGN.
Vehicle speed controlSep 13, 1994

Vehicle speed control

Recall 94V17300014,000 vehicles

Problem
UNDER VERY COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, ICE CRYSTALS CAN FORM AT THE THROTTLE IN THE ENGINE INTAKE SYSTEM, AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.
Risk
THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF SPEED CONTROL AND CAN RESULT IN UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY, THROTTLE CABLE, CHARGE AIR COOLER PIPING AND CRANKCASE VENTILATION HOSES.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1994 Volvo 850 4-DR

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

850

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.4 L · 5 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

850 Wagon

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.4 L · 5 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

850

20mpg combined
City / highway18 / 25 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.4 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

850 Wagon

20mpg combined
City / highway18 / 25 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.4 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

850

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.3 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

850 Wagon

19mpg combined
City / highway17 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.3 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition; Horn13000120,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline11111—
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Storage11000105,177 mi
TiresSidewall; Temporary/emergency spare tire8001—
Air bagsFrontal8406—
VisibilityWindshield; Windshield wiper/washer8000—
EquipmentMechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift; Appliance › Air conditioner7000—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly › Axle shaft7000—
SeatsFront assembly › Seat heater/cooler; Front assembly › Head restraint6021—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor6000—
Vehicle speed control5000—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Column locking › Anti-theft device4100—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations