Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
96E025000VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.from 09/01/1992 to 08/15/1996E (Equipment)40010/28/1996MFRVOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.08/20/199608/28/1996
Defect SummaryEngine block heaters installed as accessories. the block heater contact surface does not match correctly with the engine block as intended. the block heater could come loose from the engine block, and if being used, could possibly overheat causing damage if it comes in contact with other engine compartment components.
Consequence SummaryEngine compartment damage could occur increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
Corrective SummaryDealers will inspect the block heater and secure the bolts used to install the heater. in some cases, the surface tolerances may be so inappropriate that the heater would need to be replaced with a heater of a modified design.
NotesOwner notification:owner notification is expected to begin during august 1996. note: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 1-800-424-9393.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM
226000206/01/1999608294This service bulletin describes how to install a nipple to the drainage hole in the intercooler. *tt11/18/1999
226000206/01/1999606583Information on how to install a nipple in the intercooler. *tt08/27/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
002307/01/200200236089468Bulletin describing how to correct condition of oil leakage occurring at one or more of the oil pump retaining screws. *tt this bulletin replaces the previous sb21-0023 dated october 1999. *tt02/03/2000
251006/04/1999607363Information regardng pulsed secondary air injection system diagnosis. *tt09/21/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
284012/21/2001629014Subject regarding engine management system service manual tp2321201. *tt03/26/2002
25000108/20/1998601713Replacing connector for crankcase ventilation, with the b5234t engine. *yc08/20/1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE - BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
82410/01/199546379A new auxiliary equipment belt has been introduced into production for the 850 with a/c from engine serial number 564663.04/25/1996
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
223003710/01/19996089472Information describing how to replace the hose between the roll-over valve and the canister. *tt02/03/2000
225001006/01/19992250010606269Subject regarding new routing of wiring for oxygen sensors. *tt08/13/1999
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL - GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
231306/04/1999607362Information pertaining to the canister purge valve. *tt09/21/1999

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PE97045VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.10/23/199702/13/1998ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
 Owners report alleged incidents of severe engine compartment fires while driving at highway speeds.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
04/04/2009155000
 Tl*the contact owns a 1996 volvo 850 glt. while parked in the contact's driveway, the vehicle burst into flames unexpectedly. the fire department was called to the scene and a report was filed. the report indicated that the fire originated from the engine compartment. the vehicle was completely destroyed. the garage door, house siding, and driveway surface were damaged. in addition, a small area of the lawn was damaged by the fire. there were no personal injuries. the insurance company and manufacturer were notified of the failure. the vehicle is currently being investigated and has not been towed from the scene. the failure and current mileages were 155,000.
12/03/2008111/01/2006
 Consumer has issues about 1996 volvo 850 engine. *nj the consumer stated that carbon monoxide seeped into the vehicle and white smoke emitted from the tailpipe. the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of oil. a mechanic informed the consumer the vehicle needed serious engine work. the consumer was informed a one-time recall had been performed one year before she purchased the vehicle. *jb
01/24/20073
 Heat generated in the engine compartment causes abs control module and traction control module to fail in my '96 volvo 850r. as of today, there's 3 modules already replaced (each costing $800). the dealer said that the control module fails because it's not designed by the manufacturer to withstand typical engine heat. the chatroom of volvo owners (www.brickboard.com) is filled with the same complaint from various model years. the failure of the braking system is especially dangerous since the failure causes intermittent braking capability and hazardous during winter/snowy road conditions. the failure is sudden and without warning.
01/15/200497500111/15/2000
 Rear main seal failure, which appears to be a common occurrence with this particular vehicle, presents fire hazard and calls durability reputation of manufacturer into serious question. *jb
01/01/1999201/12/1996
 Left front caliper broke in january 1999, roght front caliper broke at this time. parts were on back order. consumer was told it would take 3 months to get vehicle repaired. *ak consumer has had many problems with vehicle, instrument lights were replaced, dash bulb lights and other bulbs replaced. headlight wiper and windshield wiper blades replaced. consumer smelled an odor in the air conditioner and later the air conditioner was not cooling properly, dealer replaced the temperature sensor, evaporator, receiver, and dryer. battery failed and was replaced, consumer had a recall on the central electrical relay and when returning to vehicle that was shut off the phone and radio were on. coolant light illuminated 4 times, finally dealer replaced the coolant filler cap, engine light keeps illuminated, dealer has replaced the pnp switch, oxygen sensor, air pump, and check valve, the air pump and check valve were replaced twice, the timing belt has also been replaced. abs sensor cable has been replaced, calipers have been replaced 3 times, front brake pads, rotors, and front disc brakes have been replaced. *slc
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN
06/04/2003111/17/1999
 The entire alternator wiring harness was melted and destroyed before the fuseable link opened the circuit. this clearly is not an acceptable electrical design. in fact, it is my contention that if my wife had not turned the car off when she did, due to the white smoke from the fan, the wiring harness would have caught on fire. most likely the resulting fire would have destroyed the car as the melted wiring harness is directly under and around the engines fuel injection system. personally inspected the electrical damage, and was appalled by how much of the wiring was fused together. if the safety design (fuseable link) of the fan circuit had worked properly the alternator wiring harness would never have been damaged to the extent i saw and more importantly my wife would never have been in personal danger.i have reported this issue to volvo america and they contend that a loose fan mount caused this issue. the repair shop was at a lose to explain this position to me as they could not understand how this was relevent to the extensive damage caused as the wiring harness melted down.*ak
09/03/1996111/01/1995
 Engine cooling fan failed.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE
04/03/2003115000105/28/2002
 Rear main seal failure causing oil to leak over underside of car, including exhaust, potentially causing fire. numerous other owners have reported the same failure at various mileage intervals. *jb
02/19/20031
 The vehicle caught on fire under the hood.*jb
 The beverage holder is located directly above the electrical power control. if liquids spills within the system, the power windows become inoperable. please give any further details. *ak *mjs
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE - GASOLINE
10/01/2002104/01/2099
 Rear main seal failure causing engine oil to leak onto exhaust system. possible fire hazard as this is a very common problem with the 850. volvo does not authorize out of warranty repairs on this component. various consumer websites contain multiple postings of this failure that volvo does not admit as a manufacturers defect. dt
08/29/2000203/01/1996
 No summary
 While driving the vehicle the engine stalled and then caught fire. dealer is currently looking at vehicle. *ak
 Driver was doing 55mph and vehicle engine caught fire. car is with dealer. *ak
5
 Vehicle stalls on freeway and on streets at any time. owner took vehicle to dealers and problem could not be duplicated. owner is very concerned for safety. this has occurred 5 times. *ak
03/19/1997
 Vehicle suddenly loses power and steam/smoke pours from engine, resulting in a fire. *ak
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM
07/15/200337000
 Exhaust: catalytic convertewr failed/plugged up. transmission: shift lock release button on shifter locked up.
1
 Since the vehicle was purchased owners have experienced problems with the exhaust smell/fumes entering the vehicle, not able to remedy fume smell. *mjs
09/01/1996005/01/1996
 While driving consumer can smell strong odor of sulphur. this causes nausea. consumer feels this is unsafe. volvo has been contacted. *ak *ml
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - EMISSION CONTROL
11/29/20028500006/09/1996
 This isn't safety related, but emission's problem. started latter part of nov.,2002. tech hasn't been able to make satisfactory repair to date. auto has been in shop over 30 days and is in shop at present. tech has replaced almost all emission related parts,some more than once, but auto still running extremely rich, only about 10 mpg(city), normally gets 21-22 mpg. engine has been checked on latest diag. equipment to no avail. am i the only one that has a problem with our 96 volvo(model 850)???? *nlm
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - EXHAUST SYSTEM - MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
05/21/1996111/01/1995
 Evaporator pump fan relay for manifold failed.