Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK | |||
| 11/01/2002 | 2 | 04/01/2099 | |
| The abs control module has failed causing both the abs and traction control system to be intermittently inoperable. based on my own research, this is a common problem that volvo north america claims they are not aware of. multiple websites have postings from owners with this problem. this is a serious safety concern as there is intermittent failure of this system and volvo will not repair it at their cost. dt | |||
| 10/19/2002 | 1 | 10/01/2002 | |
| No summary. dt | |||
| 2 | 05/01/2001 | ||
| Other volvo 850/s70 owners also have the same abs module failures. mr | |||
| 06/01/1999 | |||
| No summary | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK - ABS WARNING LIGHT | |||
| 07/10/2003 | 144000 | 1 | 08/24/2002 |
| Abs computer failure, abs and traction control light on, abs fails to function at all. tsb on wire crimp done allready. please do something about this, there are hundreds if not thousands of cases of failed abs ecu modules, some are replaced under warranty and dont even get reported.*ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | |||
| 04/02/2005 | 63988 | 1 | 08/01/2003 |
| Abs control unit failure on 96 volvo 850 with just over 60,000 miles on it. abs light comes on due to failure in unit. failure is a result of cracks that develop in circuit board. abs fails & is no longer operable leading to hazardous braking condition. this is a common & well known issue on 850 volvo's. internet message boards and volvo repair specialists and members of volvo community all know that abs light coming on means 90% chance total failure of unit is involved. repair cost is prohibitive. replacement of defective unit is $650 to $900.00. | |||
| 01/01/2000 | 50000 | 500 | 12/31/1995 |
| 1996 850 volvo wagon abs brake failure. the abs brake computer periodically turns itself off (the abs dash light comes on). this wouldn't be too bad because the brakes will work fine even if the abs system malfunctions. except when the system first malfunctions. there is a one to two second interval when you try to apply the brakes and the pedal fights you, vibrates, then allows normal braking (not to be confused with the abs chatter that happens when it is working properly and a wheel is slipping). my abs system turns off every time i drive the car, you're just never sure when. if it does when i'm braking, my braking is impaired for a couple seconds - that could be catastrophic! my volvo dealer says they've had a lot of problems with these computers, but it doesn't affect safety. furthermore, it costs $700 to fix! i believe this is a safety factor and i'm appalled that volvo (of all companies) doesn't issue a recall.*ak | |||
| 07/10/2003 | 144000 | 1 | 08/24/2002 |
| Abs computer failure, abs and traction control light on, abs fails to function at all. tsb on wire crimp done allready. please do something about this, there are hundreds if not thousands of cases of failed abs ecu modules, some are replaced under warranty and dont even get reported.*ak | |||
| 12/10/2001 | 148000 | 1 | 03/10/2002 |
| Abs/tracs module defective | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC | |||
| 08/01/2006 | 41000 | 1 | |
| I have a 1996 volvo 850 turbo station wagon. it has only 41,000 miles but the abs light would come on and off. i am told this is a common problem for the car. volvo claims it is one of the safest car on the road and quite reliable. i disagree. pls. ask volvo to issue a recall as this is annoying and could prove to be dangerous. *tr | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | |||
| 10/07/2008 | 140000 | 1 | |
| 1996 volvo 850 - abs light intermittent - not sure if abs is working or not - told by volvo repair specialists that this is a common occurrence on the 96 & 97 models - also told that abs computer has tendency to burn out relatively quickly on this model & year - told to go ahead and replace it - again - had it replaced less than 4 years ago - *tr | |||
| 08/27/2008 | 130000 | 1 | |
| 1996 volvo 850 abs light intermittent not sure if abs is working or not comes and goes. *tr | |||
| 02/15/2003 | 0 | ||
| 1996 volvo 850's are plagued with rear main seal failures which cause oil to leak onto clutches as well as on to the exhaust systems, creating the potential for fires. 1996 volvo 850's are also plagued with abs control module failures in that the abs and traction control systems fail to operate at times. this is due to a defective computer module. volvo 850's are also plagued with poor drivers side wiper designs that result in a large portion of the windshield not being swept by the wiper, washer nozzles return valves also fail frequently, preventing washer fluid from recahing the windshield. | |||
| 02/15/2004 | 100000 | 1 | 11/07/1996 |
| Car vibrates and a loud resonance is heard when the brakes are applied at 30 mph or below. *nm | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK | |||
| 01/24/2007 | 3 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 11/17/2004 | 96000 | 1 | 05/01/1996 |
| After starting the vehicle the abs warning light illuminated and stayed on until the vehicle was shut off. dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak | |||
| 06/23/2003 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states that when trying to apply the anti lock brakes. brakes will lock up, causing the vehicle to have extended stopping distance. dealer notified. *ak | |||
| 05/30/2003 | 6 | ||
| Intermittent and ongoing problem when applying brakes. the pedal would go to the floor, causing pulsation, and extended stopping distance. vehicle been to the dealer on six occasion. dealer replaced abs module, but extended stopping distance would reoccur. *ak | |||
| 04/01/2003 | 61000 | 06/15/1996 | |
| I own a 1996 volvo 850 turbo. abs module failed to work. there are similar problems reported by other owners. the failure rate appears to be high for this particular model. *nlm | |||
| 03/09/2003 | 1 | ||
| The abs failed, which caused the vehicle to experience extended stopping distance. *jb | |||
| 08/15/2001 | 1 | 08/01/2001 | |
| I have not yet replaced the faulty abs module on my car because no one knows exactly what the problem is. i have researched it and the abs module has been faulty on many volvo 850. sometimes my abs/tracs (traction control) light turns on indicating that i no longer have abs brakes, but do still have normal ones. the system seems to fail randomly, and more frequently in warmer weather. dt | |||
| 10/07/2002 | 1 | 02/01/2002 | |
| Car can not be repaired. volvo of wesport, ct has 10 modules on back order. volvo is claiming this part is not defective enough for a recall. dt | |||
| 05/01/2002 | 10/01/2096 | ||
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| 1 | |||
| The abs electronic control unit failed. the dealer stated that the problem was common with this model due to a known design flaw. the consumer is seeking full reimbursement. *yh | |||
| 09/18/2001 | 1 | 07/01/2001 | |
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| 05/15/2002 | 01/01/2002 | ||
| The abs/tracs system is not working properly. warning lights indicating that this system is not working properly has been on for many months. the dealer has indicated that the abs/tracs system needs to be replaced at a repair bill of $750.00. this is a major problem with the volvos and i believe that the volvo corp. should be held accountable for this design flaw. | |||
| 06/01/2002 | 2 | 01/01/2099 | |
| This is a repeated problem. i am informed by volvo specialists this problem is very common and the result of a faulty computer system. the independent shop(s) i have taken it to report it is customary for them to repair at least 5 of these per week and that the problem is confined to the 1996 and 1998 850 models. they also suggest volvo is well aware of the problem but refuses to recall the defective part (computer syste). note, this also govens the traction control system!*ak | |||
| 05/25/1999 | 1 | 05/01/2098 | |
| Failure of module disenabled the abs. sporatic failure first occurred at 32000 mi, but complete failure occurred at 52,000 miles. car repairman indicates that failure of this module is common for 1996-1998 volvos. he replaces 3-4 per week. *ak | |||
| 05/15/2002 | 1 | 04/01/2099 | |
| The failure of this component, which in searching the web is very common on the 1996 model, results in false triggering of the abs system, which increases stopping distance significantly. a search of www.brickboard.com for 850 & abs will turn up numerous examples of this failure, which is frequently misdiagnosed by the dealers. volvo knows of the failures, and has not admitted that it is a safety problem. it is a safety problem since the abs system is not functioning correctly, and the failure causes increased stopping distances.*ak | |||
| 08/20/2001 | 1 | 06/01/1996 | |
| Connecticut's own volvo in milford ct says the abs system is defective. $600 to fix. i asked why i had to pay for a defective computer and he said that it was beyond its expected life. however, he could not tell me what the expected life of the abs system was. the abs system is one of the reasons i got this car and if it is defective and no longer working, and volvo is not interested in repairing it, that seems to me to be something you need to look into.*ak | |||
| 04/24/2001 | 0 | ||
| While driving about any mph would step on brake pedal and brakes will start making noise. consumer had taken vehicle to dealer, and found that brakes rotors had been malfuntioning, and every 25000 miles needed to be repaired.*ak | |||
| 01/01/1999 | 2 | 01/12/1996 | |
| 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 | |||
| 12/01/2000 | 1 | 01/01/1996 | |
| Repaired by dealer on 02/02/2001 at my cost. no safety defect mentioned in summary. *ak | |||
| 09/01/1996 | |||
| Abs warning light came on. i took the car into dealer and was told that control unit needed to be replaced. it seemed strange to me, so i asked if this was a common problem for my type of car. i was told this type problem happens. but, it continued to bother me, so i researched the issue, and i came across an article in the march 1, 1999 issue of motor age. according to the article, if abs warning light comes on, the problem may be a faulty electronic brake distribution switch. the article went on to state that if the part number stamped on the switch is 9157358, the switch must be replaced, and if brake fluid has already leaked into the switch connector, the switch, wiring harness and the abs control unit must all be replaced. according to the article, this is considered a safety recall and the factory has issued a recall notice to owners. i did not receive a recall notice. after reading the article, i contacted volvo and was told that no parts on my particular vehicle have been recalled. however, that does not mean that my car is not affected by this same faulty switch. volvo denies that there is a problem with the switch in my car or any other car, but i think this matter should be looked into further. so far, i have gotten the run around. *ak | |||
| 11/05/2000 | 03/01/2000 | ||
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| 10/21/2000 | |||
| Vehicle experienced severe white smoke coming from under the hood, pulled over, and had vehicle towed to independent repair shop. independent repair shop informed consumer that problem was due to an electrical shortage in the abs wiring harness. manufacturer notified and refused to help in this problem. please feel free to provide any further details. *ak | |||
| 06/01/1996 | |||
| Brakes fail at low speeds; pedal goes all the way to the floor without stopping car. this is accompanied by a groaning sound. persistent problem, reported repeatedly to two volvo dealer service shops since september 1997, without satisfactory repair or resolution. | |||
| 04/12/1998 | |||
| While driving applied the brakes and the vehicle will not stop. driver pumped on the brakes and then the vehicle stopped. took vehicle to dealer several times. the first time they replaced the master cylinder , and two months earlier, dealer replace the rear rotors. may01, 98, dealer rewired the braking system. the driver hears noise when the vehicle goes over a large bump. *ak | |||
| 03/14/1996 | 01/03/1996 | ||
| Anti-lock brake failure. *ak | |||
| 06/15/1996 | 1 | 02/17/1996 | |
| Abs system failed. | |||
| 1 | 03/01/1996 | ||
| Antilock brake system failed. | |||
| 06/06/1996 | |||
| Brake problems; intermittently when applying the brakes on any road conditions the pedal goes to the floor and the vehicle requires extended stopping distance. vehicle has been in the shop for a total of (37) days for brake problems since feb of 96. *ak | |||
| 08/07/1996 | 1 | ||
| While driving 50 mph, applied brakes, received no apparent braking action; swerved out of right lane into exit lane, pumped several times still no braking action, pedal went almost to floor, caused an accident; vehicle into sign/light pole.*ak | |||
| While driving, expeienced intermittent abs failure, when abs light appears continuously and upon applying brakes heard loud noise.*ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - ABS WARNING LIGHT | |||
| 07/11/2003 | 78600 | 45 | 12/20/2002 |
| The abs and tracs off idiot lamps turn on and off intermittently in my 850. i can be driving around on dry pavement with very little throttle input, and the traction control will engage (audible whirring of the abs modulator pump and stiff pulsating brake pedal - quickly applied to confirm my suspicion). this will light the lamps. likewise, i can be braking on a dry surface at a low decel, and the abs will engage. this will also light the lamps and shut off abs/tracs. after a while, the lights will turn off, and abs and tracs function normally. this happens about once or twice a day since the first incident on 7/11/03. i've given an estimate number in the field below. furthermore, the speedometer functions intermittently. i've traced this issue back to a faulty connection between the vehicle wiring harness and the abs controller. the times this has happened, the wiring harness has not been fastened securely in the plug on the abs controller. removing and replugging the wiring harness into the abs controller temporarily solves the problem. the wiring harness is coming loose in normal driving conditions. the car is well maintained and is not abused. this has happened two times since the first incident on 7/11/03.*jb | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | |||
| 04/02/2004 | 1 | ||
| While driving abs light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to the dealer for inspection. mechanic determined that abs pump motor needed to be replaced. *ak | |||
| 07/07/2004 | 2 | ||
| While applying the brakes the abs brake light appeared on the dashboard, and remained on. following that the brake pedal went to the floor. this caused a loss of braking power. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it home. consumer contacted the dealer, and the mechanic determined that the abs modular unit needed replacement. *ak | |||
| 12/16/2003 | 0 | 1 | 03/31/2001 |
| Hairline crack in circuit board on vehicle computer makes abs and tracs braking system inoperative. this is an intermittent problem and goes off if the vehicle is stopped and re-started. i talked to an independent volvo repair shop and he indicated that he has replaced ten computer this year in boise, idaho this year on various volvo models, years 1993 to 1998.*ak | |||
| 10/10/2000 | 1 | ||
| Bad abs module. *la | |||
| 1 | |||
| Abs and trac off lights came on intermittently due to a defective abs control unit.*ak *jb *ts | |||
| 03/10/2003 | 97000 | 1 | 02/21/2002 |
| I noticed an odd noise which sounded like something rolling around in the back of the car, but nothing was. at time of state inspection, i alerted the inspectors. they felt something bumping from within the gas tank. i disassembled the floor coverings and inspection ports for fuel pump and gauge sender. i removed the gauge sender and looked into the tank and observed a plastic bowl-like object surrounding the fuel pump. i rocked the car and this bowl would slosh against the pump. this object appears to be a baffle to reduce sloshing around the pump. it would seem that it was intended to be glued in place, but has broken loose. i suppose that this would eventually damage pump or tank. a new tank will cost close to $400 which i will now order. additional problem is intermittent failure of anti-lock brake/tracs system module.*jb | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | |||
| 01/01/1999 | 2 | 01/12/1996 | |
| 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 | |||
| 2 | 09/01/1995 | ||
| Abs sensor failed. | |||
| 12/29/1995 | |||
| At low speed and applied brake, it made noise and vibrated. please describe . *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC | |||
| 08/29/2000 | 2 | 03/01/1996 | |
| No summary | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR | |||
| 04/24/2001 | 0 | ||
| While driving about any mph would step on brake pedal and brakes will start making noise. consumer had taken vehicle to dealer, and found that brakes rotors had been malfuntioning, and every 25000 miles needed to be repaired.*ak | |||
| 04/12/1998 | |||
| While driving applied the brakes and the vehicle will not stop. driver pumped on the brakes and then the vehicle stopped. took vehicle to dealer several times. the first time they replaced the master cylinder , and two months earlier, dealer replace the rear rotors. may01, 98, dealer rewired the braking system. the driver hears noise when the vehicle goes over a large bump. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - MASTER CYLINDER | |||
| 04/12/1998 | |||
| While driving applied the brakes and the vehicle will not stop. driver pumped on the brakes and then the vehicle stopped. took vehicle to dealer several times. the first time they replaced the master cylinder , and two months earlier, dealer replace the rear rotors. may01, 98, dealer rewired the braking system. the driver hears noise when the vehicle goes over a large bump. *ak | |||