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1994 Volvo 850Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 83 owner complaints about the 1994 Volvo 850, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

54
CarFlaw IndexSolid year14% below the 850 median · #4 of 5 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints8318 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage120kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 1, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 Volvo 850 has problems

83 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system120
Fuel system, gasoline110
Engine and engine cooling103
Power train70
Equipment70
Air bags76
Service brakes, hydraulic60
Visibility60
Tires61
11 other systems295

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1994 Volvo 850 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 94V-173 · Sep 13, 1994 · 14,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF SPEED CONTROL AND CAN RESULT IN UNWANTED ACCELERATION AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volvo.

Best & worst years

1994 vs. every other 850 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 850 median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'99'00
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1994 Volvo 850 safety ratings

1994 Volvo 850 4-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1994 Volvo 850, and the recalls they led to.

  1. FUEL TANK LEAKSEA03008 · closed Jul 28, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-368
  2. FUEL TANK LEAKSPE03003 · closed Jun 11, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What 850 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I BELIEVE IT'S THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL. I'VE HAD THE PART REPLACED AND YET THE CAR STILL RUNS POORLY. IT STALLS, LOOSES SPEED, AND QUITS RUNNING ALL TOGETHER. IT IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. *JB
Complaint 10161814 · Jul 7, 2006 · 80,000 miles
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. STRANGELY, FIRST IT STARTED OUT CUTTING OFF WHENEVER I WOULD MAKE A RIGHT TURN. THE CAR WOULD JUST CUT OFF, ALL THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH WOULD COME ON. I HAVE HAD THREE AUTO REPAIR PLACES LOOK AT IT. OF COURSE I WAS ADVISED TO DO SEVERAL…
Complaint 10133654 · Aug 21, 2005 · 125,444 miles
RECENTLY READ AN ARTICLE IN USA TODAY ABOUT VOLVO'S STALLING, LOSING SPEED AND ETC. THAT PERFECTLY DESCRIBES MY PROBLEM WITH MY 1994 VOLVO 850 SEDAN. OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS WE HAVE HAD VERY SIMILAR OCCURRENCES WITH OUR CAR LOSING SPEED AND DYING IN TRAFFIC. AFTER EACH INCIDENT IT HAS RESTARTED AFTER…
Complaint 10131600 · Aug 4, 2005 · 120,000 miles

Own a 1994 850?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.