The 1996 Volvo 855 has 2 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (2 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints7filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
NHTSA recall 02V314000 · Nov 19, 2002 · 65,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control
NHTSA recall 96V199000 · Oct 11, 1996 · 12,530 vehicles
Problem: THE SCREWS WHICH ATTACH THE THROTTLE PLATE TO ITS AXLE (SHAFT) CAN LOOSEN ALLOWING THE THROTTLE PLATE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE THROTTLE HOUSING.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE HOUSING.
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.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
2
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Retractor
1
0
0
0
—
Air bags Frontal
1
1
0
1
—
Service brakes, air Antilock
1
0
0
0
—
Tires
1
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, electric
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jul 1, 2008 · 98,000 milesService brakes, electric THE ABS SENSOR HAS COME ON AND IT IS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. THIS IS A VARY COMMON AND SERIOUS FAILURE FOR THE VOLVO 850 AND IS A WELL KNOW TO VOLVO. THEY OFFER REPAIR BUT IT IS AROUND $900. *TR
Sep 1, 2003 · 123,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module MY '96 VOLVO 855 HAS INTERMITTENT ABS FAILURE. THE ABS LIGHT GOES OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAR HAS 123,000 MILES. AFTER A BRIEF SEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS WAS TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH ABS CONTROL MODULE. IT SEEMS THAT VOLVO DOES NOT ADMIT IT AS A SYSTEMATIC PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO RECALL CAMPAIGN (THAT I KNOW OF). JUST VOLVO DEALERS MAKING A LOT OF MONEY TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND INSTALLING THE NEW ABS CONTROL MODULES. IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE TO LET MANY VOLVO CARS WITH EITHER FAILING ABS SYSTEM OR CHARGE HUNDREDS FOR THE REPAIR OF A BADLY DESIGNED SYSTEM. *LA
Jan 24, 2003 · 73,300 milesTires KUMHO TIRE HAD STEEL BELTS SHOWING THROUGH THE TREAD AFTER ONLY 29,500 MILES
Jul 15, 2002Service brakes, air › Antilock TS
Sep 10, 1998 · crash · 1 injuryAir bags › Frontal IN THE FIRST ACCIDENT THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND REAR ENDED AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND DRIVEN IN THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE SUSTAINED 13000 DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND TO THE REAR. THE AIRBAGS ( BOTH FRONT AND SIDE, DID NOT DEPLOY). ONE YEAR LATER THE SAME SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SECOND "NEAR HEAD ON" COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS (BOTH) FAILED TO DEPLOY AGAIN. IN BOTH CRASHES TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVES FROM VOLVO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY. *AK
Aug 7, 1998Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip ABS BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT BRAKING THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON/GO OUT AT RANDOM, AND ON TWO OCCASIONS THE BRAKE WOULD TURN TO MANUAL BRAKING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON SEVEN OCCASIONS, AND CONDITION HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND. *AK
Jul 1, 1996Seat belts › Front › Retractor DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WILL NOT REPAIR UNLESS COST IS TO THE CONSUMER. *AK
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
EA02019 · opened Aug 22, 2002 · closed Dec 18, 2002 · led to recall 02V314000SEAT FIRES VOLVO IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION DEVELOPED DURING ITS INVESTIGATION.VOLVO'SSURVEY OF VEHICLES ROUTINELY BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT EAST-COAST DEALERSHIPS PRODUCED EVIDENCE THAT BARE METAL WIRES (THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BOTTOM) CAN CONTACT THE THERMOSTAT AND ELECTRICAL WIRESIN OR BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION.THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.VOLVO CONFIRMED IN TESTING THAT IF SUCH A CONDITION IS PRESENT, THE SHORT TO THE WIRE SEAT SUPPORT COULD CAUSE BURNING OF THE SEAT CUSHION WITHOUT ACTIVATING (OPENING) THE SEAT HEATER FUSE.VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY WITH AN ELECTRONIC TIMER DELAY UNIT.