| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
1996 Volvo 850 repairs by problem area
Engine (40%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)
Brakes and Traction Control (9%)
Suspension and Steering (17%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (18%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (1%)
Other (9%)
Chart based on 139 repairs.
1996 Volvo 850 repair cost distribution
$2500+ (2%)
$1000 - $2499 (6%)
$500 - $999 (19%)
$100 - $499 (35%)
< $100 (38%)
Chart based on 108 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
1996 Volvo 850
Engine not specified
| Volvo in North Carolina, United States Feb 2011 - Mar 2011 | |||
| Mar 2011214000 mi | cracked heater core when sold; would have been $800 | ||
| Volvo in California, United States Mar 2011 - Jun 2012 | |||
| Sep 2011155000 miUS $250 | door check failed Replaced Timing belt,Tensioner pully,Tensioner,Idler Pully and Water Pump All OEM Parts | ||
| Volvo in Massachusetts, United States May 2011 - Jun 2012 | |||
| Jan 201282000 mi | When I started the car inst. cluster lights go on. As I drive and hit the slightest bump they go off. After the car is warm they will stay on when car is restarted. In the summer it happens but less often. | ||
| Volvo in Maryland, United States Sep 2011 - Jun 2012 | |||
| Jun 2012169000 mi | Engine valve burned, destroying engine. Sold car to junk yard for $400. | ||
| Volvo in Florida, United States Sep 2010 - Oct 2011 | |||
| Oct 2010231000 miUS $170 | Replaced a defective starter | ||
| Jul 2011237500 mi | Oil cooler leaked in a recently replaced Nissan radiator. Radiator had to be replaced. The oil softened the coolant hoses resulting in overheating and head warpage. Not repaired. | ||
| Oct 2011245000 miUS $100 | Cam position sensor failed due to the rotating plate coming loose and destroying sensor. | ||
| Volvo in Victoria, Australia Oct 2009 - Sep 2013 | |||
| Nov 2009107260 mi | Lost coolant - radiator replaced. A/C compressor failed and was replaced. | ||
| Dec 2009107880 mi | Coolant loss - heater core hose had a perforation. Air flow sensor failed on a mountain highway. Nice. | ||
| Feb 2012115200 mi | ABS module replaced | ||
| Volvo in Texas, United States Aug 2008 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Sep 2008128000 miUS $200 | Leaking rear cam seal - engine was loosing oil. Replaced seal. | ||
| Jun 2009137000 miUS $500 | Broken turbo cooling hose causing a coolant leak - had to be replaced. | ||
1996 Volvo 850 4-door
turbocharged 6-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Volvo in Illinois, United States Aug 2010 - Feb 2011 | |||
| Sep 2010149000 miUS $1250 | Dashboard lights were completely out. Dealer eventually discovered a malfunctioning wire; but did not replace the bulbs until the 2nd trip. | ||
| Nov 2010149000 mi | After last trip to the dealer to repair earlier problems, I discovered that the odometer was no longer working. Too costly to repair. | ||
| Feb 2011 | Traded with odometer no longer working. | ||
1996 Volvo 850 4-door
turbocharged 5-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Volvo in Minnesota, United States Jul 2010 - Jun 2012 | |||
| Oct 2010188300 miUS $700 | Slow coolant leak that got worse. Turned out to be a radiator leak. Radiator replaced. Leaks from vacuum lines and oil leaks from separator near PCV and related lines. | ||
| Nov 2010189000 miUS $150 | Front passenger side axle boot torn and repaired. Lower oil cooler line leaking at connection to engine block. Replaced. | ||
| Sep 2011196000 miUS $80 | Left tailgate gas strut broke. Replaced strut. | ||
| Nov 2011197000 mi | ABS light comes on periodically. Could be ABS control module or wheel sensor. Difficult to diagnose. Does not affect regular braking and have decided to live with issue for awhile. | ||
| Dec 2011197000 miUS $220 | Odometer stopped working. Teeth on gear broke and needed to be replaced. Oil leak from turbo oil return line due to worn out gasket at engine block. Cruise control has never worked properly. Vacuum line in engine compartment was cracked. | ||
| Feb 2012198000 miUS $500 | Mass airflow sensor failed, causing the car to lose idle and stall at low speeds and hesitate/lose power at highway speeds. | ||
| Apr 2012199200 miUS $100 | Emergency brake seized up and was grinding on drum Prevented wheel from rotating when changing from snow to regular tires. | ||
| Volvo in Ohio, United States Mar 2010 - Jul 2011 | |||
| Mar 2011164000 miUS $300 | Radiator leak. Replaced radiator and hoses | ||
| Volvo in Illinois, United States Dec 2009 - Mar 2011 | |||
| Feb 2010172000 miUS $2000 | Front cam seals and rear main seals, $765. PCV system replaced, $485. Exhaust cam replaced, $300. | ||
| Jun 2010177000 miUS $50 | Dipstick replaced. Front sway bar end links replaced. | ||
| Volvo in Ontario, Canada Oct 2010 - Oct 2014 | |||
| Apr 2012184760 miC $130 | fuel pump relay failed | ||
| Dec 2013201500 miC $700 | seized upper strut bearings both sides front | ||
| Volvo in California, United States Feb 2009 - Jan 2012 | |||
| Sep 2009US $735 | Replaced left front bearing. Axle, cv joint cover. | ||
| Jun 2010236000 miUS $80 | Recharged A/C. | ||
| Jan 2011239000 miUS $400 | Also needed to repair windshield washer jets that were plugged. | ||
| May 2011243000 miUS $350 | First time in the mechanic recharged the refrigerant and supposedly checked for leaks. He appearently didn't becuase the refrigerant leaked out and the AC stopped running again. Was fixed on second trip. | ||
| Volvo in Indiana, United States Oct 2008 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Nov 2008227000 miUS $650 | Lower control arm and half shaft replacement. | ||
| Mar 2009235000 miUS $850 | Frozen alternator - replaced with new, new serpentine belt. Tensioner OK. | ||
| Volvo in Massachusetts, United States Aug 2008 - Sep 2009 | |||
| Sep 2008153000 miUS $240 | Volvo 850 Turbo (96) had a "slow reporting" O2 sensor. It needed to be replaced. Part is ~150 and an hour of labor to install is ~75. Need to get car inspected, otherwise I might not have fixed this. | ||
| Nov 2008154000 miUS $800 | Fuel pump died and the car would not start.Towed the car to the dealer and was at thier mercy.$800 dollars(~400 part ~400 labor) to replace the pump. Car runs again and hopfully I will get another year or two out of it. | ||
| Sep 2009163000 mi | There were a few unresolved problems which would have kept the car from passing inspection. The emergency brakes didn't work. The check engine light was on. Codes indicated a need for new O2 sensors. Plus I needed new tires soon. I didn't want to spend a lot of cash on this car. | ||
| Volvo in Colorado, United States Aug 2008 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Dec 2008135000 miUS $425 | Heater core failed after 12 years of service. | ||
| Mar 2009135000 miUS $500 | Replaced oxygen sensor and spark plugs due to misfiring engine and poor fuel mileage. | ||
| Sep 2009140000 miUS $600 | Car came in with check engine light. Mechanic pulled no engine codes and recommended engine, and transmission flush. Reset light, car runs like a top. | ||
| Jun 2010141000 miUS $700 | Power steering pump wore out. | ||
| Mar 2011150000 miUS $550 | Replaced suspension parts on front end. | ||
| May 2011152600 mi | Fluids and A/C recharge. This car is bullet proof. | ||
| Feb 2012162900 miUS $350 | Battery died and performed routine oil and filter | ||
| Jun 2012170000 miUS $670 | Hoses are beginning to wear out. Oil seals wearing out. | ||
| May 2018200000 miUS $435 | Blown head gasket. Replacing engine with used. | ||
| Volvo in Connecticut, United States May 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Jul 2010206000 miUS $400 | flunked emissions: replaced pcv system, replaced air hoses with silicone hoses. heater core, thermostat, thermostat sensor, radiator hoses. replaced end links, shocks. | ||
| Volvo in California, United States Mar 2009 - Jun 2012 | |||
| Jun 2009103000 miUS $40 | ABS module replaced with remanufactured one. Replaced struts, strut bearings and spring seats | ||
| Jul 2011114500 miUS $60 | Replace electrical part of ignition switch | ||
| Feb 2012118300 miUS $300 | Replaced front hub/bearing assembly with Timken because of noise Replaced control arms tie rod ends and stabliser links with Mayle parts | ||
| Volvo in Washington, United States Feb 2010 - Jun 2012 | |||
| Mar 201094000 miUS $350 | Replaced heater core & all related hoses | ||
| Jul 201195000 miUS $135 | Leaking Evaporator | ||
1996 Volvo 850 4-door
turbocharged 4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Volvo in Quebec, Canada Aug 2008 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Dec 2008177320 miC $50000 | CRANK SEAL - LEAK | ||
1996 Volvo 850 4-door
5-cylinder manual 2WD
| Volvo in Virginia, United States Sep 2008 - Jan 2010 | |||
| Jan 200998000 miUS $1495 | Catalytic converter cracked, noisy exhaust and O2 sensor code on check engine light. Converter replaced with aftermarket unit. Replaced rear brake pads and rotors and fixed seized calipers. | ||
| Feb 200998000 miUS $380 | Heavy black smoke from exhaust. Shop diagnosed faulty air mass meter and replaced. | ||
| Jan 201098000 mi | Car needed piston rings and smoked so much it would not pass inspection. Decided repair cost was much more than value of car. Replaced with 2005 Honda Accord. | ||
| Volvo in Ontario, Canada Nov 2008 - Sep 2011 | |||
| Dec 2008104160 miC $300 | Left & right sway bar end links replaced,rear coil spring bump stop clip replaced. | ||
| Volvo in Ontario, Canada Dec 2008 - Aug 2011 | |||
| Apr 200996100 miC $1000 | Cracked exhaust manifold. Replaced. | ||
| Jul 200998580 miC $350 | Radio antenna wouldn't go up so reception bad. Replaced whole antenna assembly | ||
| Mar 2011107260 mi | Vibration when speed exceeds 90 km/hour. Replaced front disc brake pads, rotors and calipers. | ||
| Aug 2011107880 miC $500 | Leak in the exhaust system fixed just before we sold it. | ||
| Volvo in France Feb 2010 - Sep 2012 | |||
| Mar 2010153760 mi | Seized brake caliper. Found by 'Controle technique' so failed the test. Self-repaired at no cost. | ||
| May 2010154380 mi€40 | Car 'shut down' totally whilst en-route. I traced the fault to be a dead fuel pump. £278 from Volvo. Got one from a scrap yard for £50. Fitted myself & all, os far is good! Took a code 2-1-2 = faulty o2 sensor (Lambda) replaced old o2 with new. | ||
| Jul 2010157480 mi | Anti-roll bar drop links worn out. Diagnosed by a mechanic, but parts on order to self-fit. Engine top mount worn out. Diagnosed by a mechanic, but parts on order to self-fit. | ||
| Mar 2011165540 mi€10 | Driver door stay check-hinge had snapped. Door would open with a load 'crack' noise & would not stay in one of the three 'locaters'. I bought and fitted a 2nd hand one. | ||
| May 2011169760 mi€700 | PCV oil trap and pipes replaced as a kit . Symptoms, smoke puffing through dip stick tube. | ||
| Dec 2011175460 mi€22 | CV Boots split. Replaced with 'stretch boots' by owner. Expansion chamber cap (Grey) split causing coolant to spray out. Replaced with the later (green) style cap. | ||
| Feb 2012177320 mi | Front brake flexi hoses perished and/or split. | ||
| Sep 2012184760 mi | Reverse gear would not engage at all. Rear outer suspension bush (R/H side) failed. | ||
1996 Volvo 850 4-door
5-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Volvo in Maine, United States Mar 2011 - Jun 2012 | |||
| May 2011212700 miUS $3100 | Oil leak, exhaust system, suspension repair | ||
| Volvo in Virginia, United States Sep 2009 - Aug 2013 | |||
| Feb 201099000 miUS $60 | Driver's seat belt would not operate properly at times. Replace with a used seat belt from a salvage yard. | ||
| Volvo in Victoria, Australia Aug 2008 - Dec 2011 | |||
| Nov 2008109740 miA $588 | Radiator leak. I had an oil leak caused by driving over a gutter a year ago. I don't know if that could have had something to do with it. | ||
| Jun 2010116560 miA $200 | Glove box lock replaced (second time, they often fail on this car) | ||
| Dec 2010117800 miA $60 | Car overheating while driving. Put water in radiator. Still overheating. Called repair guy to come over (RACV in Melbourne Australia). Said it was thermostat. Ok to drive home. Drove to mechanic to have thermostat replaced. | ||
| Oct 2011124000 miA $450 | Car making slight noise. Told the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. Told 4-5 months left maximum. Used after market version instead of $100 Volvo version. My decision to replace it now. | ||
| Volvo in Massachusetts, United States Jan 2012 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Jan 2013285 miUS $150 | Changed starter. One failed brush. | ||
| Volvo in Michigan, United States Mar 2012 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Oct 2017140000 miUS $500 | replace muffler and pipes | ||
| Volvo in New Jersey, United States Aug 2008 - Jul 2012 | |||
| Sep 2008130000 miUS $250 | Replaced headliner. | ||
| Jun 2011167000 miUS $60 | Front left turn signal/parking light lens fell out of body due to retaining spring attachment breaking. Retaining spring recovered. Entire new lens/bulb holder unit required. | ||
| Jul 2012178000 miUS $163 | Broken linkage - both sides replaced. | ||
| Volvo in Indiana, United States Feb 2011 - Jun 2012 | |||
| Aug 2011126000 miUS $75 | replaced the window switch | ||
| May 2012129300 miUS $100 | i replaced the heater core and the evaporator | ||
| Volvo in Maine, United States Oct 2009 - Oct 2010 | |||
| Nov 2009179000 miUS $400 | Replaced control arms. | ||
| Dec 2009181000 miUS $400 | Right axle wore out. It was a poor quality Chinese replacement part. It did wear out in less then two years time. | ||
| Jan 2010182000 miUS $250 | Right axle repair. | ||
| Mar 2010186000 miUS $950 | Nothing wrong, no cracked head. | ||
| Aug 2010192000 mi | Serious engine misfires in all cylinders, unknown cause. Car has not reproduced this. | ||
| Sep 2010192000 mi | Major oil leak from engine. | ||
| Volvo in Maine, United States Oct 2009 - Apr 2011 | |||
| Apr 2011196000 mi | Peridodic severe shaking of steering wheel, loss of power, no CEL illuminated. | ||
| Volvo in Virginia, United States Sep 2009 - Jun 2012 | |||
| Oct 2009150000 miUS $50 | No sound from rear door speakers; found them to be dry rotted/cracked. Replaced with non-OEM speakers. | ||
| Feb 2010162000 miUS $1750 | Replaced ABS/Traction controller removed dash cluster, replaced odometer gear and bulbs. Check for real mileage: 2/8/10 160,724 actual miles. Read and reset ABS codes. Installed used header. Replaced exhaust and flange gaskets. Cruise Control fixed: Repaired broken vacuum hose and 6 tie straps. Check Rear Washer - Replaced rear washer filter, unclogged and aimed sprayer, replaced delivery valve. | ||
| Mar 2010163000 mi | Instrument cluster tightened. It apparently was not secured correctly when odo was replaced. Had the headlamp wipers/washers repaired. Replaced one motor, one valve, and the wiper blades. | ||
| Apr 2010165000 miUS $1875 | The transmission gave out, and was replaced with a used transmission from a 98 V70. | ||
| Jul 2010168000 miUS $40 | A/C was cycling cold/warm. Recharged with R134 refrigerant. Blowing ice cold now. | ||
| Aug 2011178000 miUS $40 | Rear drivers side brake line had a pinhole leak. Replaced copper line and bled brakes. | ||
1996 Volvo 850 4-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| Volvo in Great Britain Mar 2010 - Jun 2012 | |||
| Jun 2010201000 mi£150 | Wishbone, suspension arm had to be replaced. | ||
| Jul 2010203000 mi£60 | Replaced Front sway bar links. Got noticed by MOT technician. Car was tested OK, but advice was given for replacement. | ||
| Dec 2010211000 mi£150 | Replaced CV-boot (outside) on drivers side (RH). Replaced wishbone on driver's side (RH). | ||
| Jan 2011214000 mi£40 | Car would not get warm anymore, replaced both thermostat and heater sensor (engine). | ||
| Feb 2011215000 mi£230 | PCV replaced, Oil changed | ||
| Mar 2011219000 mi£158 | Replaced rear-shocks and spings. Have put non self leveling in this time. | ||
| Jul 2011224000 mi£45 | Rear arm bush broke, replaced. | ||
1996 Volvo 850 4-door
4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Volvo in Ohio, United States Aug 2008 - Dec 2009 | |||
| Dec 2009152000 mi | Fuel intake valve had to be replaced & engine making noise. Repair shop manager purchased car and paid for repairs - not worth it for owner to have repairs made. | ||
| Volvo in Ohio, United States Aug 2009 - Jan 2011 | |||
| Dec 2009185000 mi | odometer gear broke | ||
| Apr 2010186200 miUS $1300 | Muffler Steering | ||
| Sep 2010189000 mi | Shocks need to be replaced. | ||
| Oct 2010189000 mi | Replaced headlight and two tail lights. | ||
| Jan 2011 | Needed new shocks when sold. Odometer broken at 180646. | ||
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