1995 Volvo 850 Base
YV1LS5516S1197981
Vehicle history report for the 1995 Volvo 850 Base (VIN YV1LS5516S1197981). White, wagon, 2.4L 5-cyl, gasoline. 234,383 mi reported. Registered in Pa. 3 open safety recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN YV1LS5516S1197981
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
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.
Remedy: VOLVO WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE IT IF ANY EVIDENCE OF FUEL SEEPAGE OR LEAKAGE IS FOUND. ALL VEHICLES WILL RECEIVE NEW REINFORCEMENT BUSHINGS AT THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO PREVENT FUTURE LEAKS. THIS RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED AS A SAFETY RECALL IN THE HOT WEATHER STATES OF
NHTSA Campaign #04V368000 · 30/07/2004EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
SOME OF THE JACKS SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY LOAD CAPACITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE SUSPECT JACKS WITH A JACK MEETING THE LOAD REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE CARS.
NHTSA Campaign #95V050000 · 10/03/1995ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE BLOCK HEATERS INSTALLED AS ACCESSORIES. THE BLOCK HEATER CONTACT SURFACE DOES NOT MATCH CORRECTLY WITH THE ENGINE BLOCK AS INTENDED. THE BLOCK HEATER COULD COME LOOSE FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK, AND IF BEING USED, COULD POSSIBLY OVERHEAT CAUSING DAMAGE IF IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BLOCK HEATER AND SECURE THE BOLTS USED TO INSTALL THE HEATER. IN SOME CASES, THE SURFACE TOLERANCES MAY BE SO INAPPROPRIATE THAT THE HEATER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH A HEATER OF A MODIFIED DESIGN.
NHTSA Campaign #96E025000 · 20/08/1996We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1995 Volvo 850, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
🔥 3 involved a fire
🔍 Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
🔍 Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 153
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1995 Volvo 850.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL WAS EMITTED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL HOSE WAS LEAKING. THE HOSE WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO SMELL FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO TH…
NHTSA ODI #10502506FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RECEIVING REPAIRS FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V368000 (COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE), THE VEHICLE WAS STILL EXPERIENCING A FUEL LEAKAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AFTER IT FAILED TO PASS A SMOG TEST, AS A RESULT OF AN EVOP LEAK…
NHTSA ODI #10416974SEAT BELTS
1995 VOLVO 850 GLT, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTING MECHANISM (THE ROLLER NEAR DRIVER'S LEFT SHOULDER) WAS STUCK. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT THE BELT, SOMETIMES PULLING SLOWLY AND LITTLE BY LITTLE SEEMS TO WORK IT AROUND. SPRAYED SOME LUBRICANT CAN FREE IT UP FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO PULL OUT THE SEAT BELT OUT AGAIN ... IT SEEMS …
NHTSA ODI #10350322FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY 1995 VOLVO 850 DEVELOPED A GAS TANK LEAK AT A HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT. THIS IS THE SAME DEFECT THAT LED TO A SAFETY RECALL OF VOLVO 850'S IN CERTAIN SOUTHERN STATES AND A SERVICE RECALL IN THE OTHER STATES IN 2004 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V368000). I WAS NEVER PROVIDED NOTICE OF THIS RECALL, AND VOLVO NOW REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE NECESSARY REPLACEMENT OF THE…
NHTSA ODI #10267336FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING ON THE FLOOR OF HIS GARAGE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THROUGH RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA03008, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V368000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE THE FAILURES…
NHTSA ODI #10251949FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. THE CONTACT NOTICED GAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LEAKED OCCURRED WHERE THE HEAT SHIELD WAS ATTACHED. THERE IS A RECALL FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #04V368000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,750 AND CURRENT MILEA…
NHTSA ODI #10217052FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 850. HE NOTICED A GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT GAS LEAKS FROM THE GAS TANK WHEN HE FILLS IT UP. HE HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
NHTSA ODI #10192953SEATS
MY WIFE & DAUGHTER SMELLED SMOKE WHILE DRIVING ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. IT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THEY STOPPED THE CAR RIGHT AWAY AND GOT OUT. AS MY WIFE OPENED THE DOOR TO THE BACK SEAT TO GET HER PURSE, SHE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THEY RAN TO THE NEAREST HOUSE TO CALL 911. WHILE ON THE PHONE WITH 911…
Fire · NHTSA ODI #10145509+ 145 more complaints on record.
