The 1997 Volvo 854 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 77,530 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEATS02V3140002002-11-1965,000 affected
Defect
ON SOME SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT HEATERS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT EXCESSIVE COMPRESSION OF THE SEAT CUSHION COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING OF THE SEAT HEATER.
Consequence
IF THIS OCCURS, THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL DISCONNECT THE EXISTING WIRES AND INSTALL A NEW ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT AND CABLE HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO…
THE SCREWS WHICH ATTACH THE THROTTLE PLATE TO ITS AXLE (SHAFT) CAN LOOSEN ALLOWING THE THROTTLE PLATE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE THROTTLE HOUSING.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE HOUSING.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1
STEERING
1
Total complaints8
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Odometer failure at under 90,000 miles. Original equipment; not tampered with; vehicle never in an accident. *tr”
“Failure of the anti-lock brake system computer. This seems to be a regular occurrence on the volvo 850. I feel this is a major safety related issue, and a recall investigation should be looked into. *nlm”
“Tracs and abs warning lights. *nlm”
“Tracs and abs warning lights. *nlm”
“My vehicle is a 1997 volvo 850r, I'm the second owner of the vehicle. The volvo is a soild car but the 850 series have a defect with the abs/tracs module, this sets a code on your obdii and it clears when you restart the car. The issue at hand is that it's a safety issue because the control module…”
“The battery has recharged/replaced multiple times, due to the the electrical system malfunctioning.*yh”
“The vehicle would not start at 3000 miles after purchase because the battery was dead. The problem continued every 5000 miles until the dealer discovered that the cause was electrical problem. *yh”
“The belt that drives the power steering and alternator periodically slips when wet. This occurs repeatedly at low speeds when going through even small puddles. A kit was added to repair the problem at about 10k miles. The dealer claims the persistent loss of power with the kit is normal. When this…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA02019 Opened 2002-08-22 · closed 2002-12-18
SEAT FIRES
VOLVO IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION DEVELOPED DURING ITS INVESTIGATION.VOLVO'SSURVEY OF VEHICLES ROUTINELY BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT EAST-COAST DEALERSHIPS PRODUCED EVIDENCE THAT BARE METAL WIRES (THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BOTTOM) CAN CONTACT…
InvestigationEA02019 Opened 2002-08-22 · closed 2002-12-18
SEAT FIRES
VOLVO IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION DEVELOPED DURING ITS INVESTIGATION.VOLVO'SSURVEY OF VEHICLES ROUTINELY BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT EAST-COAST DEALERSHIPS PRODUCED EVIDENCE THAT BARE METAL WIRES (THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BOTTOM) CAN CONTACT…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Volvo 854 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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