Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Volvo 850, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 22 | 27% |
| Air bags | 11 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 5% |
| Structure | 4 | 5% |
| Steering | 4 | 5% |
| Power train | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 VOLVO 850. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE. TWO MINUTES LATER, THE HOOD BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FIRE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1993 VOLVO 850GLT ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. NEWSPAPER AD SAID 1999 THROUGH 2001, C70,S60,S80,V70 & V70XC. THE 850 WAS NEVER MENTIONED. HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 1998 & IT HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES. REAL SCARY, CAN IT
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
GOOD EVENING;THIS IS MORE OF A QUESTION ABOUT A POTENTIAL VEHICLE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE. I AM INTERESTED IN PURCHASING A 1993 VOLVO 850 4 DOOR. SEDAN ,AUTO/A/C,4 CYL,LOADED. I WENT TO TEST DRIVE THE CAR AND THE E
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
I HAVE A 1993 VOLVO 850. IT HAS BEEN STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, LOW SPEEDS, FOR OVER 10 YEARS. NO ONE HAS EVER FIXED THE PROBLEM. SINCE YOU ARE INVESTIGATING CURRENT VOLVO MODELS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM, YOU
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
SRS LIGHT IS ON. BROUGHT TO LOVERING VOLVO AND THEY ADVISED THE WHOLE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1200. IN READING PAST COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS SIGHT, I SEE QUITE A FEW ARIBAG PROBLEMS, ONE BEING THAT T
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THE ENGINE WILL CEASE SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A VOLVO DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
FAILED TRANSMISSION AFTER 45,000 MILES. EXTENDED WARRANTY REPLACED IT. FAILED CONTROL SWITCH FOR AIR CONDITIONING A/C AND EVAPORATOR UNIT AT 135,000. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
1993 VOLVO 850 GLT HAS BEEN JUST "TURNING OFF" DURING DRIVING, 20-60 MPH. NEVER AT IDLE. YOU MUST COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN THE KEY OFF AND RESTART THE CAR. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND MY LOCAL GARAGE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1993 Volvo 850. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 CO
Risk: ENGINE COMPARTMENT DAMAGE COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
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 H
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 84 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 49 | below average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 22 of them (27%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.