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MOTRS

850 / 850 T-5R / 850R

1991-1997 / Sedan / Estate / Sweden

850 / 850 T-5R / 850R known problems

26 documented issues.

26 problems
Critical

Timing Belt and Water Pump

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Engine · The engine suddenly stops. If you're lucky, nothing else hap…
Critical

Oil Consumption (Turbocharged Models)

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Engine · You're adding a litre of oil every 1000-2000 km. Blue smoke …
Critical

Fuel Pressure Regulator Leaks

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Fuel System · Fuel smell in the cabin or engine bay. Poor idle, hard start…
Critical

Brake Master Cylinder Leaks

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Brakes · Soft or spongy brake pedal, brake fluid loss. The pedal migh…
Critical

Subframe Corrosion

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Body and Rust · The rear subframe (where the trailing arms mount) rusts thro…
Common

PCV System Oil Leaks and Breather Box Failures

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Engine · Oil everywhere, particularly around the back of the engine a…
Common

Turbo Failure (T5 and 850R)

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Engine · Loss of power, screaming noises, oily exhaust smoke. The car…
Common

Radiator and Expansion Tank Cracks

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Cooling System · Coolant loss, overheating, the temperature gauge climbing pa…
Common

Cooling Fan Failures

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Cooling System · The temperature gauge climbs in traffic or at idle. The radi…
Common

Heater Core Leaks

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Cooling System · Sweet smell in the cabin, fogged-up windscreen, wet passenge…
Common

Fuel Pump Failures

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Fuel System · The car cranks but won't start, or it starts then dies. You …
Common

Alternator Failures

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Electrical · Battery light on, dimming headlights, dead battery after a s…
Common

Dashboard Mounting Tab Failures

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Electrical · Creaks and rattles from the dashboard. In severe cases, the …
Common

ETM (Electronic Throttle Module) Issues

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Electrical · Surging idle, erratic revs, engine stalling, poor throttle r…
Common

Automatic Transmission Failures (AW50/51)

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Transmission and Drivetrain · Harsh shifts, slipping between gears, no movement in drive o…
Common

Manual Gearbox (M59) Whine and Bearing Failures

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Transmission and Drivetrain · Whining or grinding noises in certain gears, difficulty shif…
Common

Driveshaft (Propshaft) Issues on AWD Models

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Transmission and Drivetrain · Vibration, clunking, or banging from underneath, especially …
Common

Front Control Arm Bushings and Ball Joints

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Suspension and Steering · Clunking over bumps, wandering steering, uneven tyre wear. Y…
Common

Steering Rack Leaks

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Suspension and Steering · Power steering fluid leaking from the rack, heavy or notchy …
Common

Strut Top Mount Failures

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Suspension and Steering · Clunking or knocking from the front suspension, especially o…
Common

ABS Pump and Module Failures

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Brakes · ABS light on, no ABS function. You might hear grinding or bu…
Common

Rear Wheel Arches and Sills

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Body and Rust · Rust bubbles, holes, or structural rot in the rear wheel arc…
Common

Tailgate Rust (Wagons)

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Body and Rust · Rust along the bottom edge of the tailgate, especially aroun…
Minor

Central Locking Pump Failures

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Electrical · Central locking works intermittently or not at all. You hear…
Minor

Heater Blower Fan Failures

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Interior · No air from the vents, or the fan only works on certain spee…
Minor

Window Regulator and Motor Failures

Volvo 850 / 850 T-5R / 850R · Interior · Windows move slowly, make grinding noises, or stop working a…