1996 Volvo 850: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Apr 6, 2009 · Engine · 155,000 miles · NH · fire

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.

Filed Aug 31, 2005 · Fuel system · VA

> my family received a notice from volvo cars of north america, via us mail, dated february 2005 > notice explains that: "in certain cases, after prolonged exposure to extreme heat, the fuel tank in model year 1994-1997 volvo 850 vehicles may develop seepage at the heat shield attachment. When this occurs, a fuel odor may be present." >this is a serious understatement and, in my opinion based on my family's recent experience on our volvo 850 listed ed in the recall, borders on criminal neglect. > we experienced this problem with our own volvo 850 within the last two weeks, and it was much more than fuel vapor. I will explain: - a very strong intermittent fuel odor became noticeable, followed several days later by sever leaking from near the top of the gas tank down onto the cars exhaust pipe. I am really surprised it had not caught fire while we were driving the vehicle. - gas was dripping from the tank at a rate of one drop every two to three seconds. My wife and I noticed this after a quick trip to the grocery store where we had parked on level ground, allowing the gas to pool under the car. - we had to call the fire department to secure the vehicle; they had em move the car to a sloped gravel area to keep the gas to one side of the tank and to absorb the dripping gas. > the dealer took care of the problem immediately. The point that I am trying to make with all this is that if the notice had been worded more strongly and indicating the potential severity of this problem, we would have had the car in a lot sooner. I'm just glad we didn't have the car parked in a garage attached to our residence. Feel free to give me a call or e-mail and I will be glad to forward a copy of this notice to your office for review. John dominski fairfax, va.

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 Mar 17, 2003 · Seats · 117,000 miles · WV · fire · 1 injury

I am the owner and driver of a 1996 volvo 850. On sunday march 16th 2003, the driver and myself were stopped in a drive through restaurant when my drivers seat caught on fire. The car started smoking from the seats, then we turned around to look where it was coming from we noticed flames coming out from under the seat into the back seat area. We yelled for a fire extinguisher that the driver used to put out the fire, while putting it out he sustained injury. The local fire department was notified and a report was taken. They had advised me not to drive my car. I was confused on what had happened so I decided to research "electrical wiring problems in volvo's" when I found different articles recalling my make and model of my car that as of december 2, 2002: 65,000 1996, 850 volvo's were being recalled because the seat heaters could short circuit and catch fire. In many of the articles it has stated that either volvo hasn't started a campaign yet to notify their consumers or that volvo would not return calls to comment on recalls. I contacted the nearest vovlo dealership to me and they were very confused on what to do. The man on the phone first told me that he hasn't heard of a recall for that but a few minutes later he said they recently serviced his boss' 1996 850 volvo for the same recall, he said he would research and call me back. Early afternoon, I contacted volvo cars of north america to complain. I told the above story, where they thought they weren't liable for this. One man said just because it's recalled doesn't mean that is what happened with my car. I then spoke with his supervisor who told me that I needed to tow my car to the dealership which is approximately 45 miles away, I have to foot the bill and that's where an adjuster from volvo will inspect the car. In the meantime I can not drive my vehicle and they will not pay for a rental while my car is out of commission. Livid at the fact that my safety and the safety of my passengers was compromised!

Filed Feb 26, 2003 · Engine · NY · fire

The vehicle caught on fire under the hood.

Filed Apr 15, 2002 · Seats · IL · fire

While in motion the heaters in the seat caught on fire and caused the car to catch on fire. Claim #13-7210-322

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 Mar 22, 2001 · Seats · IL · fire

Whil driving driver's seat caught on fire due to seat heater. Dealer has seen vehicle, and said it was not a manufacturer's defect.*ak although the manufacturer's inspector indicated that there was defect, the manufacturer agreed to look into the problem seriously.

Filed Oct 25, 2000 · Brakes · CA

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.

Filed Jan 22, 2000 · Electrical · DE · fire

When traveling consumer noticed smoke coming from driver's side near and around the dashboard. When the consumer lost all headlights and taillights, consumer contacted dealer. Dealer noted that wiring melted inside the dashboard, causing short circuit.

Filed Feb 3, 1998 · Engine · NY · fire

While driving the vehicle the engine stalled and then caught fire. Dealer is currently looking at vehicle.