1996 Volvo 850 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 1996 Volvo 850, and owners have filed 192 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 1996 Volvo 850
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Storage (fuel system)
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.…
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Seat heater/cooler (seats)
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.
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…
192 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1996 Volvo 850 have filed 192 complaints with NHTSA; 12 describe a crash and 20 describe a fire. Reports cite 9 injuries and 2 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 105,411 miles. Complaints peaked in 2003 with 34 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“My fuel tank started leaking exactly as the recall # 04v368000 describes, where the heat shield connects to the fuel tank. I filled up, drove 3 miles home, parked in my driveway, and smelled gas, but”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 30, 2018 · Fuel/propulsion system
“This vehicle has a leak at a seam of the gas tank. Chen engine light is on with obo 11 code p0455 evaporative emission system leak detected large leak no flow. A certified volvo repair facility has ve”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 1, 2015 · Fuel/propulsion system
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1996 Volvo 850 (850 Wagon). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19–21 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 17–18 / 24–26 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars, Midsize-Large Station Wagons |
| Engine | 5 cyl, 2.3/2.4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 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 year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 Volvo 850 | 0 | 73 |
| 1994 Volvo 850 | 2 | 83 |
| 1995 Volvo 850 | 2 | 111 |
| 1996 Volvo 850 | 2 | 192 |
| 1997 Volvo 850 | 3 | 107 |
| 1999 Volvo 850 | 0 | 2 |
| 2000 Volvo 850 | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1996 Volvo 850
How do I know if my 1996 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 1996 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 02V314000).
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
- XC901,528 complaints
- S601,266 complaints
- S80954 complaints
- V70933 complaints
- XC60651 complaints
- S70593 complaints
- S40491 complaints
- XC70417 complaints
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.