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1994 Volvo 850 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 1994 Volvo 850, and owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
83
owner complaints to NHTSA
6 / 3
complaints citing a crash / fire
19–21
MPG combined (EPA)

2 safety recalls for the 1994 Volvo 850

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Storage (fuel system)

    NHTSA 04V368000 Reported 226,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

    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.

    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.…

  2. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 94V173000 Reported 14,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the throttle body, throttle cable, charge air cooler piping and crankcase ventilation hoses.

83 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1994 Volvo 850 have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA; 6 describe a crash and 3 describe a fire. Reports cite 10 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 129,545 miles. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 12 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“I have a 1994 volvo 850. I have a leak where the heat shield is attached to the gas tank. Volvo is well aware of this problem but my VIN does not show the recall. The leak of gas is 100% from the reca”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 1, 2018 · Fuel/propulsion system

“We smell gas. When stop notice fuel leaking from fuel entry pipe. When got closer look it was leaking from fuel entry pipe that connected to fuel tank. *tr”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 28, 2014 · Fuel/propulsion system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1994 Volvo 850 (850 Wagon). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined19–21 mpg
City / Highway17–18 / 24–26
FuelRegular
EPA classMidsize Cars, Midsize-Large Station Wagons
Engine5 cyl, 2.3/2.4 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Volvo 850 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Volvo 850 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1993 Volvo 850073
1994 Volvo 850283
1995 Volvo 8502111
1996 Volvo 8502192
1997 Volvo 8503107
1999 Volvo 85002
2000 Volvo 85001

Checking a specific 1994 Volvo 850

How do I know if my 1994 Volvo 850 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 1994 Volvo 850; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Volvo dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 04V368000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Volvo models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.