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. 2 on record.

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

1993 Volvo 850 at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints83
Combined21 mpg

Free: 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. 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

Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
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.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

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.

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

Other Volvo 850 model years

1996 1995 1994

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 free.

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

Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, fuel system, engine and engine cooling.

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.