1994 Volvo 850 GLT from North America - Comments

Before purchasing this car from a used car dealer, we brought it to a mechanic for a check-out. He indicated no major problems.

After purchasing it, we brought it to a Volvo shop for a tune-up, changing the timing belt (as it was due). -> ~$1000.

A couple of months later, we spent another $800 on the heater core - as it went out - thus flooding the interior of the car.

Just recently, we had to replace the transmission with a new one (this is a notorious problem with this year and model Volvo as it was the first year they came-out with this configuration - front wheel drive - on this model.

We've become to know the Volvo dealer all too well. Sian-ara, this lemon is going up for sale.

Looks nice.

I purchased a 1993 850 in July of 2001. 30 days later, I replaced the tranmission. Needless to say, I was very upset. Just last week, my heater core went out and I am now having it replaced. In the course of a year, I have put over $3,000.00 into my car. Oh, by the way, when I bought the 850 a year ago, it only had 75,000 miles on it. I thought I was safe. After all, my 1989 740 had 206,000 and was just fine. Go figure. I wish somebody would by this thing off of me.

We also owned a 1997 Volvo 850 GLT wagon that was, from Day 1, an owner's nightmare. We had problems with the electronic brake switch (car wouldn't shift out of "Park" because it couldn't tell we were stepping on the brakes), loose bits of exterior trim, and high-pitched squealing from the brakes in hot weather--when the brakes weren't in use! The final straw was an engine oil seal leak, which would have cost about $1500 to repair if the car hadn't still been under warranty. We sold it before the warranty ran out rather than suffer any longer. It certainly was a dream to drive, though.

The first year I owned my 1993 850 Volvo it was in the transmission shop for 9 months. I had 4 transmissions with numerous problems. The last two were good, but all 4 had a slip (flare) going into fourth gear every time you started it. I have had numerous mechanics opinions and a couple said that it was normal and not to worry about it. At this time it has been stalling mysteriously at stop lights. I do not know what it is. I have been able to tap into the diagnostic system and replaced the part indicated, but this has not helped. I am mechanically inclined and I can't figure out what the problem is. For the amount I have spent fixing this car I could have bought myself a new RELIABLE car! If anyone has any idea please contact me at: mssaintjoes@hotmail.com.

I have religiously serviced my 1993 Volvo 850 GLT at a local prominent San Jose dealership. At 120k the timing belt broke because the dealership 'forgot' to replace it at the 100k service even though it was identified on the work order.

After having to involve the BBB, the dealership agreed to repair the engine at their cost. Now at 150k, the car is using 2 quarts of oil a week and the it stalls when the break is applied. My 'Volvo' only service shop told me today that there isn't a leak and that they will include an additive in the oil change although they don't think that will help. I was told to consider trading it in for a new car. I am extremely disappointed. After having taken such good care of the car, it can't even last 175k miles? Besides safety, Volvo used to be known for their longevity. I don't think I will buy a Volvo again.

I have loved every minute of owning my Volvo 850 GLT saloon, but sadly I am parting with it after five years of totally trouble free motoring and 100,000 miles. I need a bigger car to transport my new dogs. My car was registered in 1995 and since then it has passed every MOT without needing a thing doing to it. My only small niggle is tyre wear. The T5 wheels eat tyres, small price to pay though for what has been in my opinion a brilliant car. (Just hope Volvo's v40's are as good).

I have 2 850s and my wife and I are generally happy with the cars. They are not without problems though, Rear main seals go around 100k miles. Expect to spend some $ on repairs.

This transmission / front wheel drive configuration has been available from sept 1992 in Holland. AW50-42LE are pretty good unless abused. Most last 300 to 400.000 Km.

Tjep.

Although my 94 850 wagon is what I'd call a "good" car, its been pretty expensive to maintain, so expensive that I've decided to do the bare minimum. At 138,000 miles, I don't take it in for the big mileage checks. I've given up on trying to keep the exterior trim, which has been flaking off for the past four years. And this weekend, the passenger seat well, both front and back, is letting in rain, soaking the carpet. If anyone else has had this problem, I'd appreciate hearing. Thanks.

Are you sure it is the passenger doors leaking in rain water? I had the exact same thing happen on my '89 240 and it turned out having nothing to do with the doors leak and soaking the carpet on the passenger side, but in fact the A/C system has a simple rubber drain hose near the firewall on the passenger side that fell off and was letting all the water from the A/C run into the interior passenger floor, also soaking the carpets. My mechanic showed me and just stuck the little hose back into the hole it should have been in and that fixed it! Have that checked first.

I would like to point out that the first model year for 850's was 1992 in europe and 1993 in north america and am sure that they are know to be pretty solid. It all depends on how you drive and maintain the car. As for the timing belt, it should be changed over the regular intervals and is very important it is done because it break it will blow the top of your engine block. I do know that it should not cost $1000 dollars to fix. I am quite sure it should costs less that $500.

Hi there everyone. I have 1997 Volvo 850 wagon. The car runs strong, and the only problem is a valve tick. Is it OK to keep driving the car? Please help if any one has the same problem.

Other than that, the wagon is beautiful and everything else seem to work fine.

By the way, it has 150k, and I'm trying to get another 100k on it.

Hi guys, I have had 3 Volvos, starting with a 1994 940 Wentworth estate 2.0, and was so impressed upgraded to a 1996 850 CD T5 ---- Wow what a car, fully loaded 7 seater that could race Porsches.

OK, so you have to change the oil and filter every 3000 miles, but everything else worked perfectly, and this was on a 136,000 mile car that pulled like a train and thought it was a removal van. UK users call it a brick that flies.

The cars do not suffer abuse too well, but the build was excellent.

These cars are not very hard to work on once you have the right tools, and everything is repairable at a reasonable cost. I was looking at a post earlier that quoted $500 for a cam belt replacement. In UK a cam belt is £26 from ebay and approx £60 to fit.

Sorry to hear people are disappointed with Volvo. The build before Ford took them over was fantastic, and although they are old now, they still out perform many new cars, and if treated with respect will go on to do 300,000 miles easily with no major problems

Malcolm, a fan, but not part of Volvo.