1996 VOLVO 850 Complaints

EARLY FAILURE OF PREMIUM TIRE MARKETED AS HIGHLY DURABLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT.AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 205/50 )

THE REPAIR COST HAS BEEN QUOTED AS $1,200. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS ONLY BEEN USED FOR THREE SUMMERS, IT IS A SEASONAL CONVENIENCE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 45 MPH THE CAR BEGIN TO RACE, AS THOUGH IT WERE STUCK IN GEAR, I APPLIED MY BRAKES, BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELETE (UP HILL) ON IT'S OWN. I ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT TO NO AVAIL, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I STEERED THE CAR TO JUMP A CURB AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I WAS NO LONGER IN CONTROL OF THE CAR, SO I TOOK OFF MY SEAT BELT AND EJECTED FROM THE CAR. THE CAR WENT HEAD ON INTO A TRUCK AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY TOTALLED. *AK

CSS TECH. REPORTS REAR LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS HAVE A SWITCHABLE RETRACTOR PLATE. HOWEVER, PLATE DOES NOT SWITCH AND LOCK IN PLACE WHEN APPLIED. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, CAUSING THE ABS BRAKES TO OPERATE RANDOMLY, AND ALSO SEAT BELT INDICATOR WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT FROM PARK WITHOUT SHIFT LOCK. TSB ISSUED ON PART, AND PART WAS REDESIGNED. HOWEVER PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING. *AK

THE PROBLEM I HAVE EXPERIENCED IS A CONDITION WHERE THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES FORMS A BULGE, CAUSING THE TIRE TO BECOME UNBALANCED AND IN DANGER OF BURSTING. FROM SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL TIRE DEALERS, IT SEEMS THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THE ULTRA-LOW PROFILE DESIGN OF THE TIRES WHICH MAKES THEM UNUSUALLY VULNERABLE TO DAMAGE FROM NORMAL ROAD HAZARDS. I HAVE HAD FOUR TIRES DEVELOP THIS CONDITION ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. SINCE I AM EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS ABOUT AVOIDING ROAD HAZARDS, AND PUT SNOW TIRES ON THE CAR IN THE WINTER, IT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT A COINCIDENCE. FURTERMORE, IT IS QUITE EVIDENT THAT MANY OTHER VOLVE 850 OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME BAD FORTUNE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 205-45/Z17 )

POWER STEERING LEAK, CAUSING POOR STEERING, AND THE PUMP MAKES A LOUD NOISE WHEN TURNING. ALSO, DRIVER'S DOOR HINGE BROKE, CAUSING THE DOOR TO SWING BACK ON ITS OWN WHEN OPENING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

THIS IS MY SECOND VOLVO 850 S/W AND I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE PRIOR 1995 MODEL. BOTH VEHICLES HAVE LOW PROFILE, HIGH PERFORMANCE WHEELS AND TIRES WHICH FAIL ON THE POTHOLE ROADS. THE FAILURE IS A SAFTEY HAZARD. *AK

BOTH AIRBAG'S DEPLOYED AFTER RUNNING OVER A MANHOLE THAT HAD IT'S COVER MISSING, BREAKING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, AND INJURED THE DRIVER'S RIGHT WRIST. THERE WAS REAR SUSPENSION DAMAGE.