Check a VIN

1996 Volvo 850 electrical problems

18 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car).

owner complaints
18
of this car's complaints
9%
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Wiring: front underhood
    6
  • 12v/24v/48v battery
    4
  • Wiring: interior/under dash
    2
  • Ignition: switch
    2
  • Alternator/generator/regulator
    2
  • Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
    1
  • Starter assembly: relay
    1
  • Ignition
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volvo 850 electrical problems in other years

19931994199519961997

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Volvo 850 electrical

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Fire or smoke 13

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Seat firesOpened August 22, 2002, closed December 18, 2002

Volvo is conducting a safety recall based on its analysis of complaints and technical information developed during its investigation.volvo'ssurvey of vehicles routinely brought in for maintenance at east-coast dealerships produced evidence that bare metal wires (that provide support for the seat bottom) can contact the thermostat and electrical wiresin or beneath the seat cushion.this can result in an electrical short.volvo confirmed in testing that if such a condition is present, the short to the wire seat support could cause burning of the seat cushion without activating (opening) the seat heater fuse.volvo will replace the entire thermostat assembly with an electronic timer delay unit.

EA02019

Passenger compartment firesOpened March 7, 2002, closed August 22, 2002

PE02029

What 1996 Volvo 850 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 14, 2011 · Electrical, Locks · 150,805 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 volvo 850. The contact stated that when traveling over different deviations on the road, the rear end of the vehicle would fish tail. In addition, the vehicle would sporadically stall without warning. The contact would have to receive a jump start in order to restart the vehicle each time the vehicle stalled. The dealer was notified who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact tried contacting the manufacturer via web mail but to no avail. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The current mileage was 151,805 and the failure mileage was approximately 150,805. Updated 03/02/11 *bf the consumer stated the trunk lid latch was faulty. The windshield wiper arm flew off while driving in the rain. Updated 04/29/11

Filed Aug 1, 2005 · Electrical · 32,500 miles · MO

Vehicle was parked in the garage, once the consumer tried to start it, it would not start. The automobile club came and jumped the vehicle. Consumer proceeded to the dealer, and was told the battery needed to be replaced, and it was replaced. Consumer retrieved the vehicle, and the problem of starting the vehicle recurred. Automoble club came again, and the consumer was told the alternator was defective.*ak

Filed May 20, 2004 · Electrical · 73,000 miles · IL · fire

A fire started under the hood while driving at 25 MPH.

Filed Sep 24, 2003 · Electrical · MA · fire

Consumer noticed an odd smell inside of vehicle while traveling. Consumer pulled vehicle over and noticed smoke coming from under hood and a fire. Fire department was called and put fire out.

Filed Aug 3, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · MD · fire

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.

Filed Apr 2, 2002 · Electrical · NY · fire

While driving 40 to 45mph smelled something burning. Vehicle started filling with smoke, and consumer saw flames coming from under dash. Interior was engulfed in flames by time fire department arrived.

Filed Feb 20, 2001 · Brakes, Electrical · OH

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.

Filed Oct 25, 2000 · Brakes, Electrical · CA · fire

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Filed Oct 24, 2000 · Brakes, Electrical · CA · fire

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Filed Oct 24, 2000 · Electrical · CA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Questions about the 1996 Volvo 850 electrical

Does the 1996 Volvo 850 have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the electrical of the 1996 Volvo 850, 9% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1996 Volvo 850 electrical problems start?

Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.

Was there a recall on the 1996 Volvo 850 electrical?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Volvo 850 have the most electrical problems?

The Volvo 850 model years with the most electrical complaints are 1996 (18 complaints), 1995 (13 complaints) and 1997 (13 complaints).

Other 1996 Volvo 850 problems

Brakes 55Fuel system 26Engine 21Transmission 15Seat belts 11Tires 11Body 10Seats 9Steering 6Airbags 5Lights 5Visibility 5Acceleration 4Suspension 2Locks 1Wheels 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 1996 Volvo 850?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history