Volvo 850 recalls

5 official safety recalls for the Volvo 850 from NHTSA (United States), DVSA (United Kingdom) and the EU Safety Gate, newest first. Recall repairs are normally free at the maker’s dealers.

Whether your car is affected and still needs the repair depends on its VIN or registration. Check it on the official site for your country:

  1. Fuel tank may leak at heat shield attachments

    Reported July 30, 2004Model years 1994–1997NHTSA campaign 04V368000226,000 vehicles affected

    After prolonged heat exposure, the fuel tank may seep or leak at the heat shield attachments. Fuel near an ignition source could cause a fire. The tank will be inspected and replaced if leaking; all vehicles will receive reinforcement bushings at the attachment points.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
    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.
    Notes
    VOLVO'S RECALL NO. 139.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

  2. Seat heater wiring may short and cause a fire

    Reported November 19, 2002Model years 1996–1997NHTSA campaign 02V31400065,000 vehicles affected

    Compression of the seat cushion can damage the seat heater wiring, causing a short circuit and possible fire. Dealers will disconnect the existing wires and install a new electronic thermostat and cable harness. The remedy is free.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
    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.
    Notes
    VOLVO CARS RECALL NO. 112. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

  3. Headlight switch may operate inconsistently

    Reported August 30, 1999Model years 1997NHTSA campaign 99V235000139,588 vehicles affected

    The headlight switch may operate inconsistently over time, causing loss of visibility and increasing crash risk. Dealers will replace the switch.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
    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.
    Notes
    OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 15, 1999. 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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

  4. Vehicle jack may not support the load

    Reported March 10, 1995Model years 1995NHTSA campaign 95V05000031,315 vehicles affected

    A jack with insufficient load capacity may let a raised vehicle fall, risking injury or property damage. Dealers will inspect and replace suspect jacks with ones meeting the load requirements.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER
    Defect
    SOME OF THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY LOAD CAPACITY.
    Consequence
    A RAISED VEHICLE CAN FALL OFF THE JACK INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD FOR PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE SUSPECT JACKS WITH A JACK MEETING THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE CARS.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT; JACKS.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.NOTE: IF A NEW JACK IS NOT SUPPLIED TO THE VEHICLE OWNER FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  5. Ice may prevent throttle from returning to idle

    Reported September 13, 1994Model years 1994NHTSA campaign 94V17300014,000 vehicles affected

    In very cold weather, ice may form at the throttle and prevent it from returning to idle, causing unwanted acceleration and a possible crash. Dealers will replace the throttle body, throttle cable, charge air cooler piping and crankcase ventilation hoses.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF SPEED CONTROL AND CAN RESULT IN UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY, THROTTLE CABLE, CHARGE AIR COOLER PIPING AND CRANKCASE VENTILATION HOSES.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: FUEL; THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS; SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT, PLEASE CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Sources: NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DVSA (UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and the EU Safety Gate (European Commission) recall data. Each recall covers vehicles sold in that market; models sold elsewhere may differ.

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