Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 | 2 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 850 | 107 | 3 |
| 1996 850 | 192 | 2 |
| 1995 850 | 111 | 2 |
| 1994 850 | 83 | 2 |
| 1993 850 | 73 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Service brakes, hydraulic91
- Power train70
- Electrical system65
- Fuel system, gasoline53
- Engine and engine cooling53
- Tires41
- Air bags37
- Equipment35
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 3 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 11.2–11.3 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 850 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.2 | 9.0 | 11.3 |
| 1996 | 850 2-valve · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.2 | 8.9 | 11.3 |
| 1995 | 850 4-valve · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.1 | 8.9 | 11.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
139 850 cars are on the New Zealand register; 71% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 | 21 | 10 | 11 |
| 1996 | 57 | 16 | 38 |
| 1995 | 25 | 3 | 22 |
| 1994 | 25 | 6 | 19 |
| 1993 | 8 | 2 | 6 |
| 1992 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
3,070 850 cars are on Dutch roads; 30% arrived later as imports. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 103 | €60,814 |
| 1996 | 1,137 | — |
| 1995 | 1,062 | €45,046 |
| 1994 | 483 | — |
| 1993 | 165 | — |
| 1992 | 120 | — |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
1,119 850 cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 98% petrol, 2% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 93 | 347,000 km |
| 1996 | 451 | 337,000 km |
| 1995 | 333 | 314,000 km |
| 1994 | 174 | 323,000 km |
| 1993 | 45 | 324,000 km |
| 1992 | 23 | 305,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
In the United Kingdom
1,285 850 cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 | — |
| 1998 | 0 | 1 |
| 1997 | 103 | 175 |
| 1996 | 599 | 1,041 |
| 1995 | 393 | 615 |
| 1994 | 138 | 327 |
| 1993 | 42 | 141 |
| 1992 | 9 | 29 |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
New registrations in Europe
2 new Volvo 850 cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2010, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2010 the largest markets were Spain (2).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Recalls
5 campaigns cover the 850.
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.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. OPERATION OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, CAN RESULT IN INCONSISTENT OPERATION OF THE SWITCH.
SOME OF THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY LOAD CAPACITY.
UNDER VERY COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, ICE CRYSTALS CAN FORM AT THE THROTTLE IN THE ENGINE INTAKE SYSTEM, AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE.
NHTSA recalls