Model year guide

1993 Volvo 850

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1993 Volvo 850 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 81 on record.

1993 Volvo 850 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1993 Volvo 850 at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints83
Combined21 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1993 Volvo 850 recalls 1

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline NHTSA Campaign #96E025000 · 20/08/1996

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1993 Volvo 850 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 83 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

1993 Volvo 850 MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,200
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume97 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1993 Volvo 850 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,000
Fuel only$16,000
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
183.5 in
Width
69.3 in
Height
55.9 in
Wheelbase
105.1 in
Curb weight
3,155 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1993 Volvo 850. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

FUEL TANK LEAKS Closed

THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WAS OPENED ON JUNE 11, 2003, BASED ON 54 REPORTS OF FUEL TANK LEAKS. THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE 1993 THROUGH 1996 MODEL YEAR (MY) 850 VEHICLES. MODEL 850 WAS ALSO PRODUCED IN MY 1997 AND WAS INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION. ANALYSIS OF THE DATA REVEALS TWO DISTINCT ISSUES. FIRST, THE 1994 THROUGH 1997 MY VEHICLES STAND OUT BY ACCOUNTING FOR 95 PERCENT OF THE REPORTED LEAKS. THESE VEHICLES SHAR…

NHTSA #EA03008 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened Jun 2003 · closed Jul 2004

FUEL TANK LEAKS Closed

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON JANUARY 16, 2003. THE BASIS FOR OPENING THE INVESTIGATION WAS 15 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL STORAGE TANK. VOLVO PROVIDED 43 ADDITIONAL REPORTS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION, 4 OF WHICH WERE DUPLICATES OF THE 15 ODI REPORTS. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FOR FURTHER STUDY.

NHTSA #PE03003 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened Jan 2003 · closed Jun 2003

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 95

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 95.

VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App

Bulletin 356EN01 · Equipment · Feb 2022

Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)

Bulletin Service Manager · Electrical System, Equipment · Feb 2022

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely…

Bulletin ST-001-2020-09-1 · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Sep 2020

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely…

Bulletin ST-001-2020-06-2 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Jul 2020

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely…

Bulletin ST-001-2020-01-2 · Equipment · Jan 2020

This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the…

Bulletin TJ31946.1.2-2019 · Electrical System · Nov 2019

This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the…

Bulletin TJ31946.1.1-2019 · Electrical System · Nov 2019

This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Technician Skillset Requirments

Bulletin SMB00-438-2019-1 · Equipment · Nov 2019

Software Installation Policy changes.

Bulletin SMB00-006-2019-1 · Electrical System · Nov 2019

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely…

Bulletin ST-001-2019-10-1 · Equipment · Oct 2019

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 850. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Volvo 850

The Volvo 850 is a compact executive car that was produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars from 1991 until 1997. Designed by Jan Wilsgaard, the car was introduced in a saloon body style; an estate style was introduced in 1993.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1993 Volvo 850 trims & engines on record

Trims
GLTS · GLT
Engines
2.4L 5-cyl

1993 Volvo 850 vehicles on record

1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850 GLTSYV1LS5501P2052808 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850 GLTYV1LS5505P2069854 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS550202028909 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5102P2035388 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5506P2064476 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5502P2082589 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5502P2053347 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5102P2051265 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5502P2076183 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5502P2071288 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS550602055155 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5506P2069748 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5502P2095745 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5102P2042651 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS550202070720 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5502P2066912 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5502P2073977 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5502P2066719 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5512P2067827 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5502P2065144 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5502P2066803 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5502P2064428 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5502P2056530 1993 Volvo 850 1993 Volvo 850YV1LS5502P2047952

Other Volvo 850 model years

1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1992 1991

1993 Volvo 850 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1993 Volvo 850 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1993 Volvo 850. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1993 Volvo 850?

Across all 83 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, air bags, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 1993 Volvo 850 get?

The 1993 Volvo 850 has a U.S. EPA estimate of 21 mpg combined (18 city / 27 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.