Skip to content

1997 Volvo 855 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 1997 Volvo 855, and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
3
owner complaints to NHTSA

2 safety recalls for the 1997 Volvo 855

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

  1. Seat heater/cooler (seats)

    NHTSA 02V314000 Reported 65,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.

    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…

  2. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 96V199000 Reported 12,530 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the throttle housing.

3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1997 Volvo 855 have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 94,415 miles. Complaints peaked in 2004 with 2 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“The ABS light illuminated while driving. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for inspection. The dealer informed the consumer that ABS failed to operate because the ABS motor needed to be replaced. *”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 16, 2004 · Service brakes, hydraulic

“Repeated incidents of ABS/tractioncontrol warning light. Computer readout shows failure of ABS/tracs computer board. *ak”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 12, 2004 · Service brakes, air

Compare Volvo 855 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Volvo 855 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1994 Volvo 85502
1995 Volvo 85526
1996 Volvo 85527
1997 Volvo 85523
2000 Volvo 85501

Checking a specific 1997 Volvo 855

How do I know if my 1997 Volvo 855 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 1997 Volvo 855; 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

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.