The 1996 Volvo 855 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 77,530 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEATS02V3140002002-11-1965,000 affected
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.
Consequence
IF THIS OCCURS, THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
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…
THE SCREWS WHICH ATTACH THE THROTTLE PLATE TO ITS AXLE (SHAFT) CAN LOOSEN ALLOWING THE THROTTLE PLATE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE THROTTLE HOUSING.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE HOUSING.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
1crashes1injuries
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
1
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
1
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
1
TIRES
1
Total complaints7
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The abs sensor has come on and it is due to the failure of the abs control unit. This is a vary common and serious failure for the volvo 850 and is a well know to volvo. They offer repair but it is around $900. *tr”
“My '96 volvo 855 has intermittent abs failure. The abs light goes off intermittently. The car has 123,000 miles. After a brief search on the internet I found that this was too common problem with abs control module. It seems that volvo does not admit it as a systematic problem and there is no…”
“Kumho tire had steel belts showing through the tread after only 29,500 miles”
“Ts”
“In the first accident the subject vehicle was stopped and rear ended at approximately 50 mph and driven in the rear of another vehicle. The subject vehicle sustained 13000 dollars damage to the front end and to the rear. The airbags ( both front and side, did not deploy). One year later the same…”
“Driver side seat belt retractor would not retract properly. Dealer notified, and will not repair unless cost is to the consumer. *ak”
“Abs brake system is not braking the vehicle properly. Brake light would come on/go out at random, and on two occasions the brake would turn to manual braking. Vehicle has been in/out of dealer shop on seven occasions, and condition has not been corrected. Dealer informed consumer that nothing…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA02019 Opened 2002-08-22 · closed 2002-12-18
SEAT FIRES
VOLVO IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION DEVELOPED DURING ITS INVESTIGATION.VOLVO'SSURVEY OF VEHICLES ROUTINELY BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT EAST-COAST DEALERSHIPS PRODUCED EVIDENCE THAT BARE METAL WIRES (THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BOTTOM) CAN CONTACT…
InvestigationEA02019 Opened 2002-08-22 · closed 2002-12-18
SEAT FIRES
VOLVO IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION DEVELOPED DURING ITS INVESTIGATION.VOLVO'SSURVEY OF VEHICLES ROUTINELY BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT EAST-COAST DEALERSHIPS PRODUCED EVIDENCE THAT BARE METAL WIRES (THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BOTTOM) CAN CONTACT…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Volvo 855 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.