I recently bought a '96 850, and I don't think Volvo knows that I have this car, since the purchase is rather new, and I didn't do anything other than registering via the RMV.

Is there a way to check, using the VIN, to see if my car is being recalled?
Someone told me that I could do it at volvocars.com, but I don't see any links.

Thanks.

I bought my 96 850 a few weeks ago. When I heard about the recall, I called volvo and told them that I own the car i would like to have my name entered into their database. He took all the info. and told me that it might take a couple of weeks to get my name in to their system. He told me that the recall notice is supposed to go out in early February, and call volvo back in february if I have not received a recall by then.

Volvo customer service is useless.

By law, when a recall is issued, Volvo is required to obtain records from all DMV's in each state to determine ownership of all registered 850's that are affected. It has nothing to do with the transfer of ownership card in the manual. That's simply for Volvo's marketing folks to send you propaganda.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administartion (www.nhtsa.org) has information on its site regarding this recall. It affects about 65,000 850's. Since Volvo hates to fess up that the 850 is one of their least reliable automobiles, I am sure they are dragging their heals on this one.

My heaters are dead, and I hope the thing catches fire before I get my notice. I'd love to see it burn to a crisp because I could not in good faith sell mine to an unsuspecting individual with the repair history mine has had. If it burns, it will be about the only thing that will cause Volvo to step up to the plate.

Thanks for the info.

I still am not convinced I'll be reached even if Volvo gets info thru the DMV. They can't possibly be checking on regular intervals to see who the new 850 owners are, can they? So, what if they obtained record from DMV, say last week, and I registered the car today? The letter will go to the previous owner, right?

Not to say that Transfer of Ownership will do the trick, but I just don't want to be left out, and one thing I learned is, squeaky wheel gets the oil. At least gets noticed. I'm just gonna keep jumping up and down once in a while to see where things are. I just don't like the fact that I'm driving around a car that's being recalled. This isn't so bad - I can just turn off the heat, but once a different car had a recalls due to wheel potentialy falling off, and that was no fun.

My heater is dead, but the car has been treating us well for the past ~8mo or so. Hope I'm not jinxing myself.

You are correct in your assumptions with the scenario you provide. It would go to the previous owner who wouldn't even care.

I'll post back to the board once I get my notice to let you know. In the meantime, you may only have a loose wire. There are various posts on brickboard as to how to diagnose this. I think notices are being sent next month.

Thanks.

I'd appreciate the update on the recall notice.

I do indeed have a loose wire (at least), but for the life of me, I can't get my hand back thru the opening to re-insert, or to take out the connector housing. My hand isn't that big, just getting old I guess. Maybe I'll have my son try it.

WHEN the dealers have begun this recall (not yet mind you), ANY dealer can easily check yourcar for open recalls by running the VIN through what's called DCS. That tells them if that car requires that or other open (not done) recalls.
I can't imagine why anyone would get "rude" about telling you that as it's no big deal. Don't try calling a dealer yet about this as it STILL hasn't begun and there's absolutely no dealer parts or info so far about this upcoming recall. Apparently it's taking longer than originally planned to launch this recall.
Now, once the recall starts and they run DCS on your car, don't get upset if your car doesn't get this recall as it's not effecting every 850. If your car isn't listed, a dealer won't be paid by Volvo to replace the parts just because you might want them to.

I agree with the Dutchman on this one! Ed, I don't understand what you mean by "when they(a dealership) run DCS on your car, don't get upset if your car doesn't get this recall as it's not effecting every 850. If your car isn't listed, a dealer won't be paid by Volvo to replace the parts just because you might want them to"!! R U saying cars with seat-warmers, manufactd. w/in the time period may not get their heating element fixed/replaced? So, I(who's car falls with in the time period affected) have to wait for my ass to be on fire b/4 it's fixed? My warmers work somtimes, but if its possible the thing make go hay-wire in the future, I want it replaced. Now, if you recall, Volvo has a recall on the head-light switch for most later 850s. Apparently it fails at any given moment. I have opted to wait until mine breaks b/4 I have them fix, since I rarely drive at nights and most streets are brightly lit in my neck of the woods. But a seat on fire under my butt is a whole other ballgame!!!!! BD

yeah, i called and got treated like crap too-same prob- bought car from a person, and wanted to know how i would be informed by the dealer, and the rude voice at volvo never asked me anything and referred me to the dealer-whatever, both the dealerships in st. louis suck- my drivers seat never got as hot as the passanger, so this should be a fix (on them)

dave,
the local volvo club in st.louis would like you to join.

we are trying to pump some new life into it.

next mtg is 2/19/03(wednesday) at 630pm at Wild Oats on Ladue rd.near interbelt.

we have a super tech from Brentwood Volvo coming to talk about technical advances.

hope to see you there.rsvp.636-519-0240

Rich K

oh yeah, i own a bar on the landing if the club is looking for places to hold the upcomming events, dave

didn't realize there was such a thing in stl. I am totally in and have a buddy w/ a 98 t-5, who would be in as well- sad note is that he and I are (among others) are going to the keys for a saiffish tourney-leaving the 19th, but count us in for the next one-very interested in mods and results(esp ecu, exaust, and the like)for my future plans w/ my car- '97 850R w/ k/n, horns relocated, bilstiens- so i will give you a ring sometime about future events. david

Well, just found out a few things.

In order for Volvo to contact the owner who purchased it used, one must turn in 'transfer of ownership' in the owner's manual, so they have the record. Having it serviced at a dealer doesn't do it.

In my locality (MA), one reputable dealer still has no record on what's involved, and is not taking any appointments yet.

I was hoping to get them re-attach the heated seat wires while having it serviced for the recall, without paying any additional fee since they have to re-do the wiring anyhow. But, at this (slow) rate, that may not happen till the the cold weather goes away.

Btw, when I called Volvo toll-free, the guy (rather rudely) told me to take it to the dealer and get it checked out since it is a safety item, without even asking me VIN or year/model. Perhaps the problem affects more than what they initially claimed, but I think he was just clueless.