The defect
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.
The risk
IF THIS OCCURS, THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
The 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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Volvo 850 | 1996, 1997 |
| Volvo 854 | 1996, 1997 |
| Volvo 855 | 1996, 1997 |
Components: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo 850 | 1996 | 192 | 2 |
| Volvo 850 | 1997 | 107 | 3 |
| Volvo 854 | 1996 | 5 | 2 |
| Volvo 854 | 1997 | 7 | 2 |
| Volvo 855 | 1996 | 7 | 2 |
| Volvo 855 | 1997 | 3 | 2 |
Other seats recalls in 2002
8 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the seats; VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC. filed 26 campaigns in all.
| 02V307000 14 Nov 2002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V253000 17 Sept 2002 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 02V251000 17 Sept 2002 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 02V162000 14 Jun 2002 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 02V155000 13 Jun 2002 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 02V141000 20 May 2002 | MID BUS INCORPORATED |
| 02V134000 16 May 2002 | VERITRANS SPECIALTY VEHICLES |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002