Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1997 Volvo 850. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗VOLVO/FUEL TANK
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- 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. THIS RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED AS A SAFETY RECALL IN THE HOT WEATHER STATES OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, AND UTAH, AND AS A SERVICE RECALL IN THE OTHER 33 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
VOLVO/ELECTRICAL SEAT HEATER
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- IF THIS OCCURS, THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
- 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 UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
VOLVO/HEADLIGHT SWITCH
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.
- Consequence
- DRIVER'S COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF VISIBILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (107)
107 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 107 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 33 | 30.8% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 12.1% |
| Seats | 10 | 9.3% |
| Tires | 9 | 8.4% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 6.5% |
| Visibility | 7 | 6.5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 5.6% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 5.6% |
| Power train | 6 | 5.6% |
| Steering | 6 | 5.6% |
How 1997 compares with other 850 years
Best and worst 850 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 73 | 0 |
| 1994 | 83 | 2 |
| 1995 | 111 | 2 |
| 1996 | 192 | 2 |
| 1997 | 107 | 3 |
| 1999 | 2 | 0 |
| 2000 | 1 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,900
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2.4 L 5-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2.4 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2.4 L 5-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2.4 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.4 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.3 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
| 2.3 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1997 850 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1997 Volvo 850 FAQ
How many recalls does the 1997 Volvo 850 have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 04V368000 (fuel system), 02V314000 (seat), 99V235000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1997 Volvo 850 problems?
Owners filed 107 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (33), Electrical system (13), Seats (10) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1997 Volvo 850 get?
EPA rates the 2.4 L 5-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 18 city, 26 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1997 850 compare with other years?
Among the 1993–2000 Volvo 850 model years at least five years old, the 2000 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1996 the most (192). The 1997 drew 107. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.