1993 Volvo 850
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1993 Volvo 850. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1993 Volvo 850. Newest first.
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 and remedy
Risk
Engine compartment damage could occur increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
Remedy
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.
Owner complaints
73 complaints3 involved a crash3 involved a fire3 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system
Tl*the contact owns a 1993 volvo 850. after driving approximately 55 mph, the contact parked the vehicle. two minutes later, the hood burst into flames. there were no warning indicators prior to the failure. the fire department was called to the scene and a police report was filed. the contact…
Tl*the contact owns a 1993 volvo 850. after driving approximately 55 mph, the contact parked the vehicle. two minutes later, the hood burst into flames. there were no warning indicators prior to the failure. the fire department was called to the scene and a police report was filed. the contact was informed that the cause of the fire was electrical. there were no injuries. it has not yet been determined if the vehicle was destroyed. the contact was only covered for liability insurance. the vehicle was towed to his residence. the current and failure mileages were unavailable.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
1993 volvo 850glt engine stalls without warning. newspaper ad said 1999 through 2001, c70,s60,s80,v70 & v70xc. the 850 was never mentioned. have had the car since 1998 & it has happened four times. real scary, can it be fixed? *nm
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Engine and engine cooling
Good evening;this IS more of a question about a potential vehicle that I would like to purchase. I am interested in purchasing a 1993 volvo 850 4 door. Sedan ,auto/a/c,4 cyl,loaded. I went to test drive the car and the engine check lights stayed on while I drove the car. When I returned to the lot…
Good evening;this IS more of a question about a potential vehicle that I would like to purchase. I am interested in purchasing a 1993 volvo 850 4 door. Sedan ,auto/a/c,4 cyl,loaded. I went to test drive the car and the engine check lights stayed on while I drove the car. When I returned to the lot the car stalled,but restarted right away. The used car dealer said the car was low on fuel that's why the lights stayed on? I doubt this very much!!are there any recalls on these cars for this problem?if so I would like more information. Thank you! Jm *jb
- Fuel system, gasoline
I have a 1993 volvo 850. it has been stalling while driving at high speeds, low speeds, for over 10 years. no one has ever fixed the problem. since you are investigating current volvo models for this same problem, you should consider investigating the older models. *nm
- Air bags
Srs light IS on. brought to lovering volvo and they advised the whole system needs to be replaced at a cost of $1200. in reading past complaints listed on this sight, I see quite a few aribag problems, one being that the wires are crossed from production and that caused the failure. I also see…
Srs light IS on. brought to lovering volvo and they advised the whole system needs to be replaced at a cost of $1200. in reading past complaints listed on this sight, I see quite a few aribag problems, one being that the wires are crossed from production and that caused the failure. I also see many complaints that airbags are deploying for no reason....is this because of this wiring??? I think volvo needs to look at this issue. right now I am driving without airbags because of the cost. I wonder how many other people are doing the same!! volvo needs to look into this issue asap before a lawsuit arises!!*ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Nar 05/21/2003. *mr defective antilock brake pump. *cb
- Electrical system › Ignition
The engine will cease suddenly while driving. I have taken the car to a volvo dealership to be fixed, but the problem IS still occurring.*ak
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Power train › Automatic transmission
Failed transmission after 45,000 miles. Extended warranty replaced it. Failed control switch for air conditioning a/c and evaporator unit at 135,000. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition
1993 volvo 850 glt has been just "turning off" during driving, 20-60 mph. Never at idle. You must coast to the side of the road, turn the key off and restart the car. I have had it to the dealer twice and my local garage twice and the problem IS still not corrected. This IS a very unsafe condition…
1993 volvo 850 glt has been just "turning off" during driving, 20-60 mph. Never at idle. You must coast to the side of the road, turn the key off and restart the car. I have had it to the dealer twice and my local garage twice and the problem IS still not corrected. This IS a very unsafe condition that almost created an accident this past week. I researched the internet to see if others are having the same problem and I found many similar complaints.*ak
- Fuel system, diesel › Storage › Tank assembly · Structure › Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments · Visibility › Rear window wiper/washer
Consumer stated the windshiled blades were replaced, the gasoline tank was leaking, and the hood latches were adjusted.*jb
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
The plastic gasoline tank leaked gasoline. *scc
- Air bags › Frontal
While driving at a low, both front air bags deployed without vehicle being in an accident. This resulted in driver being burnt on their neck and stomach. The dealer and manufacturer has been notified. Please provide more details. Ts
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I replace the transmission at 99,000 and now at 27,000 on the orginal volvo replacement transmission I have to replace the second transmission. This transmission of the 850 volvo IS a lemon. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Dashboard caught on fire while in parking garage. cause unknown. please provide any further information.*ak
- Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift
Consumer was jacking vehicle up and jack broke. dealership IS aware of problem.*ak
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Fuel was leaking from the top of the fuel tank, dealer replaced the fuel pump, consumer states that close examination showed the plastic casing was disentegrating, consumer IS requesting reimbursement. *slc
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Tires
Replaced 7 tires. Too many for low miles. Volvo front end causes excessive wear?*ak (tiresize: 195/60vr15)
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Driver's side belt will not engage, rear left belt will not disengage, rear right belt very hard to disengage.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
While drivers side seat belt IS locked in place, it would unlock when leaning forward. Dealer has been contacted. *Ak *slc
- Exterior lighting › Fog lights
During normal operation of vehicle, one of two factory installed "fog lamps" broke out of its holding bracket and started a fire, which burned the plastic for the lamp housing. dealership later repaired and replaced the fog lamp. then, during the beginning of august 2001, the other fog lamp broke…
During normal operation of vehicle, one of two factory installed "fog lamps" broke out of its holding bracket and started a fire, which burned the plastic for the lamp housing. dealership later repaired and replaced the fog lamp. then, during the beginning of august 2001, the other fog lamp broke loose and began to burn plastic lamp housing. consumer recognized problem and turned light off. dealership has not examined vehicle for the second occurrence. *ak dealer states the second occurrence was caused by faulty brackets also. *slc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine keeps shutting down while driving, after an initial warm-up period. Have taken it to the dealer service 4 times, but it has not been fixed. I think it has become a safety problem, and I would like to find out if similar problems have been experienced by other volvo owners.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Once the vehicle IS warmed up the vehicle acts as thought it IS in neutral. nlm
- Air bags
Potentially fatal design flaw discovered - air bag wiring has failed through poor design. according to dealer service, the air bag power wire has slipped into the tilt wheel mechanism and pinched it to the point of shearing the wire insulation and causing a short which has disabled the entire srs.…
Potentially fatal design flaw discovered - air bag wiring has failed through poor design. according to dealer service, the air bag power wire has slipped into the tilt wheel mechanism and pinched it to the point of shearing the wire insulation and causing a short which has disabled the entire srs. this IS a non-contact, non-wear part and has failed solely due to poor design. cost to repair IS prohibitive. volvo USA will not acknowledge responsibility for the problem. should be recalled before any fatalities!!! *Ak
- Child seat
Back of integral child safety seat does not stay upright, and will fall backwards into storage compartment of vehicle. please provide any additional information/attachments.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Passenger's air bag sticks out from dash board. Has not contacted dealer yet.*ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Fuel tank leaks
This engineering analysis was opened on june 11, 2003, based on 54 reports of fuel tank leaks.the subject vehicles were 1993 through 1996 model year (my) 850 vehicles. Model 850 was also produced in my 1997 and was included in this investigation. Analysis of the data reveals two distinct issues. First, the 1994…
This engineering analysis was opened on june 11, 2003, based on 54 reports of fuel tank leaks.the subject vehicles were 1993 through 1996 model year (my) 850 vehicles. Model 850 was also produced in my 1997 and was included in this investigation. Analysis of the data reveals two distinct issues. First, the 1994 through 1997 my vehicles stand out by accounting for 95 percent of the reported leaks.these vehicles share the same fuel tank design (pn 9142618). The 1993 my vehicle uses a different fuel tank design (pn 9141101).secondly, the failures occurred predominantly in hot climates, e.g., california, arizona, texas, florida, georgia, louisiana, etc.testing of fuel tanks from consumer vehicles at the vehicle research and test center confirmed leaks through cracks in the fuel tank wall at a heat shield mounting attachment in the 1994 through 1997 my fuel tanks (pn9142618). Details of the tests are available in test report vrtc-dcd3060.volvo will conduct a safety recall on all my 1994 through 1997 vehicles originally sold or registered in the following 17 hot states: ca, az, nm, tx, la, ms, al, ga, sc, fl, nc, tn, ar, ok, ut, NV, and hi.all 1994 through 1997 my vehicles in all other states will be remedied under a service campaign.the remedy for both the recall and service campaign IS to install a new bushing at each heat shield attachment point (3 per tank).also, all tanks (vehicles in all states) will be inspected for fuel seepage at the heat shield attachment points and volvo will replace any tank showing signs of fuel seepage.the new bushings will prevent heat shield stresses from being transferred to the three heat shield mounting attachments on the fuel tank.the safety recall IS filed under nhtsa safety recall number 04v368.this investigation IS closed.
- Fuel tank leaks
The office of defects investigation opened thisinvestigation on january 16, 2003.the basis for opening the investigation was 15 consumer reports alleging gasoline leaking from the fuel storage tank.volvo provided 43 additional reports in its response to the preliminary evaluation, 4 of which were duplicates of the 15 odi reports. This investigation has been upgraded for further study.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10212892Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
- 10212891VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
- 10181041Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.
- 10178503Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.
- 10171676Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.
- 10169394This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the vehicle. Swapping the Driver Information Module (DIM) is strictly forbidden as the DIM it is the main carrier of the odometer function, and will, in case of swapping, result in manipulated odometer value. Service: Please do NOT swap any control modules from vehicle to vehicle for testing, unless instructed to do so in a Vehicle Report by the Technical Helpdesk
- 10169393This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the vehicle. Swapping the Driver Information Module (DIM) is strictly forbidden as the DIM it is the main carrier of the odometer function, and will, in case of swapping, result in manipulated odometer value. Service: Please do NOT swap any control modules from vehicle to vehicle for testing, unless instructed to do so in a Vehicle Report by the Technical Helpdesk
- 10169391Software Installation Policy changes.
- 10169389This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Technician Skillset Requirments
- 10169036Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.
- 10169021Service Manager Bulletin TITLE : Service Action Notification Re - Mails GROUP : NO : ISSUING DEPARTMENT : CAR MARKET : Product Safety & Compliance United States and Canada 00 325 REFERENCE BULLETINS : DATE : SMB00 - 323 and SMB00 - 323A YEAR MONTH DAY SERVICE SERVICE WARRANTY 2013 02 15 MANAGER WRITER ADMINISTRATOR Service Personnel : Read and initial Page 1 of 1 Volvo monitors completion rates for all service actions and will complete notification re - mails to vehicle owners when necessary . Listed below are the latest notification re - mails . Please refer to SMB 00 - 323 and SMB 00 - 323A for information on how and where to find the related Service Action documents in VRC2 and TIE . FEBRUARY RE - MAILS Action Description # of Re - Mails Service Campaign 236 Washer Reservoir Sensor Canada ? 295 Recall 129 Brake Vacuum Pump U.S . ? 3,430 Recall 245 Replace Fuel Lines U.S . ? 48 MARCH RE - MAILS Action Description # of Re - Mails Recall 246 Inspect P / S Return Hose U.S . ? 1,367 Recall 246 Inspect P / S Return Hose Canada ? 95 Recall 251 Inspect Underbody Coating Canada ? 54 Recall 255 TCM Software Upgrade U.S . ? 499 Recall 256 TPMS Warning Message U.S . ? 123 Please be prepared to accommodate vehicle owners that may contact you regarding these actions . ? Fixed Right ? First Time ? Produced in the USA and available as an electronic document . Hard copy documents are printed in USA on recycled paper containing a minimum of 50 % wastepaper and 10 % post - consumer waste . 2013 VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA , LLC
- 10167953Software Installation Policy changes.
- 10167952Descripition of Goodwill Policy and Guidelines.
- 10167915Dice Tool bulletin explaining the offer.
- 10167872This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Service Scheduling system enhancements. Improving Service Action/Recall scheduling.
- 10167861This is a Service Manager Bulletin: The online bookstore, www.volvotechinfo.com, serves Volvo Retailers, employees, Independent Repairers and customers throughout the United States and Canada by providing easy order-access to service, parts and owners? literature over the Internet.
- 10167854Mandatory Special Tool List
- 10167817This is a Parts Bulletin: Wheel Cross Reference, used to assist in identifying the correct spare replacement wheel, by stamping, name and size.
- 10167808This is a Parts Bulletin: Wheel Cross Reference, used to assist in identifying the correct spare replacement wheel, by stamping, name and size.
- 10167722VOLVO CARS SERVICE AND PARTS BUSINESS Technical Journal TITLE : Vehicle type and platform identification REF NO : ISSUING DEPARTMENT : CAR MARKET : United States and Canada TJ 19245 Technical Service PARTNER : ISSUE DATE : 3 US 7510 Volvo Cars North America YEAR MONTH DAY 2014 02 06 FUNC GROUP : FUNC DESC : 0 Publications Page 1 of 3 Attachment Vehicle Type Eng Struc Week Type Eng Sales Body Gear Steer Model Year Plant Chassis range Desc Range XXX 1927 - 9999 0000001 - 0999999 0 - 0 CSC Customer Symptom Codes Code Description 1C Administrative and Factory scheduled maintenance / Administrative and Factory scheduled maintenance DTC Diagnostic Trouble Codes Rows beginning with * are modified Note ! If using a printed copy of this Technical Journal , first check for the latest online version . Text In our Service Literature , a vehicle is often referred to by its ? type ? , not its ? model ? . For example the 1999 - 2006 Model Year S80 is type ? 184 ? . You may also see the designation , for example ? P2X ? . This is referring to a platform type or vehicle family . If a document states ? P1X ? or ? 5XX ? as an example , it will apply to all models within the platform type . ? 54X ? will apply to the ? 544 ? , ? 545 ? and ? 542 ? models . ? X ? represents variable data . ? Right first time in Time ? Produced in the USA and available as an electronic document . Hard copy documents are printed in USA on recycled paper containing a minimum of 50 % wastepaper and 10 % post - consumer waste . 2014 VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA , LLC Technical Journal 19245 Platform Model Type Model Years Comments P3 S80 124 2007 - V70 135 2008 - 2010 XC70 136 2008 - XC60 156 2010 - S60 134 2011 - V60 155 2015 - P2 S80 184 1999 - 2006 V70 285 2001 - 2007 XC70 295 2001 - 2007 S60 384 2001 - 2009 XC90 275 2003 - P1 S40 544 2004 - 2012 V50 545 2005 - 2012 C30 533 2007 - 2013 C70 542 2006 - 2013 X40 S40 644 2000 - 2004 V40 645 2000 - 2004 900 940 9
- 10167697Midtronics psc-550s and psc-700 vehicle power supply information
- 10164860This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Technician Skillset Requirments
- 10164857Retailers should only use a Volvo part number on claims for items purchased directly from Volvo. Failure to follow this policy will result in claim adjustments. Warranty reimbursement rates and quantity limits for the parts listed, with the exception of the oil part numbers, Wynn?s Airco-clean, R134A and R1234YF are set by Volvos Parts Department and based on the pricing in effect on the repair date. For the most current pricing retailers must refer to the parts system. Reimbursement rates for oil part numbers, Wynn?s Airco-clean, R134A and R1234YF are set by the Warranty Department. Updated parts pricing for these parts are provided via a Warranty CPI.
- 10164856Retailers should only use a Volvo part number on claims for items purchased directly from Volvo. Failure to follow this policy will result in claim adjustments. Warranty reimbursement rates and quantity limits for the parts listed, with the exception of the oil part numbers, Wynn?s Airco-clean, R134A and R1234YF are set by Volvos Parts Department and based on the pricing in effect on the repair date. For the most current pricing retailers must refer to the parts system. Reimbursement rates for oil part numbers, Wynn?s Airco-clean, R134A and R1234YF are set by the Warranty Department. Updated parts pricing for these parts are provided via a Warranty CPI.
- 10164851Software Installation Policy changes.
- 10164132Description of Goodwill Policy and Guidelines.
- 10163310This is a Service Product Journal: Information Notice. We process the personal data that you provide in connection with the creation of your VIDA account. The purpose of our processing is to administer your VIDA account (from registration to eventual termination of the account), to provide you with all the functionality related to VIDA, to allow access to VIDA and to communicate updates related to VIDA. Log data generated when using VIDA is processed as necessary or appropriate to safeguard the security and functionality of VIDA for example against malware or unauthorized access.
- 10161792Winter Wheel Applications including rim sizes, steel wheel parts numbers and wheel cover part numbers
- 10159065Software Installation Policy changes - Canada
- 10159064Software Installation Policy changes.
- 10159056This bulletin is a service manager bulletin. Seat Belt Extender.
- 10157931Software Installation Policy changes - Canada
- 10157726This bulletin is a service manager bulletin. Seat Belt Extender.
- 10156289This is a Service Manager Bulletin. This bulletin is a list of equipment recommended by Volvo to it's dealer or any shop maintaining or repairing Volvo's. The equipment can be provided by Volvo's equipment supplier
- 10156288Road Force wheel balancing is the proper tool for diagnosing and repairing such issues and all of our retailers need to be prepared for these issues.
- 10156282This is a Technical Journal: Vehicle Key Not Found
- 10156271Software Installation Policy changes - Canada
- 10156264Winter Wheel Applications including rim sizes, steel wheel parts numbers and wheel cover part numbers
- 10156263This is a Parts Bulletin: Hazmat Return Transportation Documentation and requirements
- 10156262This is a Technical Journal: When sensitive information, like vehicle speed, brake usage, etc. (customer behavoiur information) of a car is required from Volvo Car Corporation from external sources, either of these two documents should be filled in and attached to the affected Vehicle Report. (External sources: Authority, Insurance companies, Rental companies, etc)
Every Volvo 850 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.