34 of the
142 complaints about the 1997 Volvo 850 are about the
braking system — 24% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
64,000 miles.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS MODULE FAILED. LOOKS LIKE MAJOR DEALER REPAIR. THIS IS A MAJOR COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH AND NO LONGER TREATED AS AN ACCESSORY ITEM. FOR THESE DEVICES TO BE CONSIDERED AN "ACCESSORY" THEY SHOULD THEN BE MADE AS USER REPLACEABLE WHICH IS NOT THE CASE. THEN AGAIN, IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE EVERY SUNDAY-MECHANIC REPLACING SUCH A CRITICAL ITEM? I HAVE HAD AN ABS WARNING LIGHT FOR OVER TWO YEARS NOW. DIAGNOSTICS SAY ITS THE ABS ELECTRONICS. I DO NOT HAVE THE BUDGET OR EXPERIENCE TO REPLACE IT. SEVERAL WEBSITES POINT TO FAILING OR DEFECTIVE CAPACITORS ON THE ELECTRONIC MODULE ITSELF.
NHTSA complaint #10253657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,700 milesBoston, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 VOLVO 850 WAGON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION FOR TIRE REPAIR AND THE FOLLOWING FAILURES WERE DISCOVERED: BOTH REAR BRAKES AND CALIPERS WERE SEIZED AND COMPLETELY INOPERABLE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ALSO INOPERABLE, AND BOTH FRONT INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $1,230. THE VOLVO DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FOLLOWING FAILURES: BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND THE DRIVER SIDE TIE RODS FAILED, AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES FAILED, INCLUDING THE ROTOR AND CALIPERS, AND THERE WAS AN EMISSIONS ISSUE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE NEEDS COMPLETE EMISSION REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JUNE 21, 2008 AND PASSED INSPECTION ON JUNE 25, 2008. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,700.
NHTSA complaint #10234149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesAnnandale, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE ON 1987 VOLVO 850
NHTSA complaint #10125178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,183 milesNorthfield, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS TRACTION CONTROLLER FAILURE ON MY 1997 VOLOV 850 REQUIRING REPLACEMENT COSTING APPROX. $750. THE REPAIR SHOP I USE WORKS EXCLUSIVELY ON VOLVOS AND HAS INDICATED TO ME THAT THEY HAVE ON AVERAGE ONE SUCH FAILURE AND CUSTOMER REPAIR EACH WEEK. THE REPAIR SHOP IS HUBBARD WOODS MOTORS, 985 GREENBAY ROAD, WINNETKA, IL 60093, PHONE 847-446-0711, OWNER, ROBERT L. BERGER.
NHTSA complaint #10093911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,183 milesNorthfield, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS LIGHT COMING ON AND STAYING ON REPEATEDLY. AFTER NUMEROUS RESETS BY MY VOLVO REPAIR SHOP, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ABS TRACTION CONTROL COMPUTER MODULE HAD FAILED. THE UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $642.93. THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THEY WERE DOING AN AVERAGE OF ONE OR TWO SUCH REPLACEMENTS ON THIS MODEL PER WEEK AND THAT THEY BELIEVED THIS TO BE A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURE FOR THIS MODEL IN GENERAL. THE REPAIR SHOP WORKS EXCLUSIVELY ON VOLVOS, HUBBARD WOODS MOTORS, 985 GREENBAY ROAD, WINNETKA, IL, 60093; PHONE 8470446-0711; OWNER, ROBERT L. BERGER.
NHTSA complaint #10093912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesBoxborough, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I HAVE A 1997 VOLVO 850R THAT IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS/TRACS SYSTEM - THE LIGHTS CAME ON FOR THE ABS AND THE TRACS SYSTEM. IN RESEARCHING MY PROBLEM IT HAS BECOME APPARENT THAT THE 850 VOLVO IS KNOWN FOR FAILURES TO ITS ABS MODULE AND THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM IN GENERAL. THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND ON THIS COMMON PROBLEM LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALLED ITEM. APPARENTLY VOLVO NOW OFFERS A NEW AND IMPROVED ABS CONTROL MODULE (THAT THEY CHARGE DEARLY FOR) BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS AND REPLACEMENTS OF THE OLD UNITS. VOLVO SHOULD BEAR THE EXPENSE OF REPLACING THESE UNITS. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS ON, THE ABS IS NOT FUNCTIONAL. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSES INTERMITTENT PULSATION IN THE BRAKES. THE SHEAR NUMBER OF THESE INSTANCES LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. THIS SHOULD BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #10091051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesAustin, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10082600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesKaty, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
1997 VOLVO 850 MODEL ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILS MAKING THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES MALFUNCTION.
NHTSA complaint #10057138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesKaty, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
1997 VOLVO 850R. GRADUAL INCREASE IN FREQUENCY OF INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHERE ABS AND TRACS LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND THEN GO OFF. THERE SEEM TO BE SO MANY OF THESE COMPLAINTS THAT THIS ISN'T AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. HAVING UNPREDICTABLE BRAKES IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO I'VE GONE THROUGH 4 SETS OF FRONT BRAKE DISCS AND 5 SETS OF FRONT BRAKE PADS IN 90,000 MILES. EVEN WHEN THE DISCS ARE NOT WORN OUT THE BRAKE PEDAL IS SPONGY EVEN THOUGH THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY BLED OF AIR. THE DISCS ALSO WARP VERY EASILY EASILY. HOW CAN VOLVO TOLERATE THIS? I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW AND WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER. WE PICKED UP A LEXUS YESTERDAY AND THE VOLVO IS UP FOR SALE. I CAN UNDERSTAND A MANUFACTURER HAVING PROBLEMS BUT I CANNOT FORGIVE IT'S TURNING A BLIND EYE TO THIS VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10050628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesPawtucket, RI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE.
NHTSA complaint #10043587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesNorth Wales, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS/TRACTION CONTROL MODULE FAULTY...COST US $700 TO REPAIR...ACCORDING TO OUR VOLVO DEALER, VOLVO IS AWARE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN A LOT OF VOLVO'S BUT THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO NOT CONDUCT A RECALL...THIS IS WRONG AND VOLVO NEEDS TO BE PUNISHED FOR NOT TAKING CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS...IT'S AN ABSOULUTE DISGRACE...WE'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VOLVO...TOO MANY PROBLEMS, VERY POOR RELIABILITY!
NHTSA complaint #10037405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,800 milesWinston-Salem, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
MY CAR IS A 1997 VOLVO 850. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. I AM TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS COMPUTERS. AN INDEPENDENT VOLVO OWNERS WEBSITE NOTED OTHER 850 OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE QUESTION IS VOLVO GOING TO DO A RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #10032756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 106,364 milesPorter, INCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
1997 VOLVO 850. THE ABS AND TRACS LIGHTS ARE ON APPROX. 90% OF THE TIME WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. WHEN LIGHTS ARE ON, BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY SOFT AND STOPPING DISTANCE IS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED. WHEN LIGHTS ARE OFF, BRAKE PEDAL GETS FIRMER AFTER PUMPING AND BRAKING DISTANCE IS REDUCED. THIS PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE PAST 24 MONTHS. DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM DURING REPEATED VISITS. INEFFECTIVE BRAKES AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHILE BRAKING CONTRIBUTED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT INVOLVING THE VEHICLE AND A SEMI-TRAILER.
NHTSA complaint #10028994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesSeattle, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
MY ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND I GOT IT CHECKED AT MY MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED OF THE REOCCURING PROBLEM WITH THE MODULE ON MY MAKE AND YEAR. I WAS ALSO INFORMED OF THE AROUND $600 BILL IT WILL BE TO REPLACE SOMETHING THAT SEEMS TO BE SERIOUS ENOUGH FOR VOLVO TO RECALL. - NB.
NHTSA complaint #10028913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesBoynton Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
FALURE OF ABS CONTROL MODUAL FOR 1997 VOLVO 850 GLT. THERE ARE A HUGE AMOUT NOF FAILURES FOR 1996-1998 AND SHOULD BE A SAFTEY RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10026037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Altos, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN THE FLOOR.
NHTSA complaint #10024182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Longmeadow, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10019425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,000 milesNashville, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I HAVE A 1997 VOLVO 850R THAT IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS/TRACS SYSTEM - THE LIGHTS CAME ON FOR THE ABS AND THE TRACS SYSTEM. IN RESEARCHING MY PROBLEM IT HAS BECOME APPARENT THAT THE 850 VOLVO IS KNOWN FOR FAILURES TO ITS ABS MODULE AND THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM IN GENERAL. THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND ON THIS COMMON PROBLEM LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALLED ITEM. APPARENTLY VOLVO NOW OFFERS A NEW AND IMPROVED ABS CONTROL MODULE (THAT THEY CHARGE DEARLY FOR) BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS AND REPLACEMENTS OF THE OLD UNITS. VOLVO SHOULD BEAR THE EXPENSE OF REPLACING THESE UNITS AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE SHEAR NUMBER OF THESE INSTANCES LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS A SYSTEMATIC DESIGN FLAW.
NHTSA complaint #10017061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesHouston, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THE ABS CONTROL UNIT ON MY 1997 VOLVO 850 HAS AN INTERNAL SHORT OR LOOSE CONNECTION AS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP. IF YOU DO RESEARCH INTO THIS MATTER ON THE INTERNET OR BY CALLING THE VOLVO DEALERSHIPS, YOU WILL FIND THIS PROBLEM OCCURS VERY FREQUENTLY IN THESE CARS. WHEN THE ABS LIGHT IS ON THERE IS NO ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, AND THIS CAN CAUSE THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP DURING HARD BRAKING APPLICATIONS, AND EASILY ON MOIST OR WET ROADS. AS A MAJOR SAFETY FEATURE ON THESE CARS AND ESPECIALLY A VOLVO, WHO IS KNOWN FOR THEIR SAFE AUTOMOBILES THIS CONTROL MODULE FAILS VERY OFTEN AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF BRAKES LOCK UP IN A PANIC STOP. JB
NHTSA complaint #10014095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesNorridge, ID
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
DEFECTIVE ABS MODULE ON 1997 VOLVO 850 T5
NHTSA complaint #10003367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesNorridge, ID
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
DEFECTIVE ABS MODULE ON 1997 VOLVO 850 T5
NHTSA complaint #10003367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Graham, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
I OWN A 1997 VOLVO 850 GLT. IT HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS COMPUTER, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR I GOT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND TOOK IT IN WITH THIS PROBLEM WITH 10,000 MILES REMAINING ON THE WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND SEVERAL CALLS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS I WAS TOLD THAT WHEN I BOUGHT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BUT IS COVERED NOW, FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10003214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NHTSA complaint #770706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Mateo, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER STATES THE BRAKES CONSTANTLY SCREECH, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THEY WERE JUST GLAZING, HOWEVER THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ABS STARTED ACTIVATING INAPPROPRIATELY WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT MOST LIKELY THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #567248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manchester, CT
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILS EACH TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN. THIS FAILURE CAUSES MOMENTARY LOSS OF BRAKING AND IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WWW.BRICKBOARD.COM IS A GOOD SOURCE FOR OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT IS VERY WIDESPREAD AND THE DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE PART COSTS $500 TO REPLACE AND IT CAN ALSO FAIL AT ANY TIME. DT
NHTSA complaint #769911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
M. Corner, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ISSUE MY ABS CONTROL BLOCK MOTOR OPERATED FOR 30-40 SECONDS RECENTLY WHILE TRAVELING AT 25-30 MPH WITH NO ABS/TRAX LITES ILLUMINATED. (BUZZING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD) BRAKES WERE VERY HARD WITH REDUCED STOPPING POWER DURING MOTOR OPERATION ON SLOWING TO 5 MPH. THE MOTOR STOPPED AND ABS/TRAX LITES ILLUMINATED WITH BRAKE FUNCTION RETURNING TO NORMAL. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE I CONSIDER THIS A RECALL ISSUE. ABS CONTROL FAILURE ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES BY 850 OWNERS ON WWW.BRICKBOARD.COM. OBVIOUSLY UNDER THE RIGHT CONDITIONS THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A $600-700 REPAIR FOR AN ESSENTIAL SAFETY SYSTEM ON THIS CAR AND THIS SYSTEM SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. APPRECIATE YOUR HELP AND CONSIDERATION. DT
NHTSA complaint #769778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
THERE IS A SHORT IN THE ABS ECU AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES OF THIS THAT CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.BRICKBOARD.COM A VOLVO OWNERS WEBBOARD AND YOU CAN SEARCH THERE SITE AND FIND A LOT OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND WITH THIS SHORTAGE. THE LIGHT COMES ON AND WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE CAR DOES NOT OPERATE WITH ANIT-LOCK BRAKES AND WILL LOCK UP. DT
NHTSA complaint #768865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Queens, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DUE TO FAILURE OF THIS PART I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS WHEEL LOCK-UPS AND EMERGENCY BRAKING. SEE "BRICKBOARD.COM" UNDER "850" FOR MANY REPORTS OF FAILURES. MR
NHTSA complaint #767960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #767742 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, CO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER STATED THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*NLM
NHTSA complaint #564487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.