Volvo 850 Heated Seat Recall

[Henry (2)]

Yea they are replacing most of the components of the heated seat system including the wiring harness. Just take it in, it won't cost a dime and if your lucky like me, you'll be back in the heated seat business!

FWIW

 

[JW]

So today I received a notice recalling my 1996 850R for the seat warmer. Apparently it may be too hot and might malfunction. No kidding -- it hasn't been functional for about 5 years now (along with literally about 10 other things, but that's another story for another time). But I was notified that the recall might not fix my seat warmer if it's not working right now.

Any tips on how to get them to fix the seat warmers during this recall?

 

[Gus]

What years does the recall apply to? I have a '95 850 wagon with heated seats that don't work.

Gus

 

[Svein Tore Sølvik]

[JW] (Tue, 20 Jan 2004 21:23:53 -0500):

So today I received a notice recalling my 1996 850R for the seat warmer. Apparently it may be too hot and might malfunction. No kidding -- it hasn't been functional for about 5 years now (along with literally about 10 other things, but that's another story for another time). But I was notified that the recall might not fix my seat warmer if it's not working right now.

Any tips on how to get them to fix the seat warmers during this recall?

Hi, any more info on years, models of the 850 that is affected?

 

[G Klein]

The recall involves installing a new wiring harness & a new thermostat part of the recall is the technician uses a ohm meter to check the heating pads if the pads are no good the recall does not cover repairing them I will post a copy of the service bulletin tonight Glenn

 

[JW]

Interesting.

So let me get this straight... if the heat mechanism has already blown -- probably because of the defect that they are recalling them for -- they won't replace it but if the heat mechanism has not already blown yet but might blow because of the defect they will replace them.

Makes complete sense to me. Yet another reason I will never buy another Volvo.

 

[JW]

I looked on my recall letter and it says 1996 and 1997 850 sedans and wagons.

[JW] (Tue, 20 Jan 2004 21:23:53 -0500):

So today I received a notice recalling my 1996 850R for the seat warmer. Apparently it may be too hot and might malfunction. No kidding -- it hasn't been functional for about 5 years now (along with literally about 10 other things, but that's another story for another time). But I was notified that the recall might not fix my seat warmer if it's not working right now.

Any tips on how to get them to fix the seat warmers during this recall?

Hi, any more info on years, models of the 850 that is affected?

 

[JW]

You're SOL. Applies to 1996 and 1997 sedans and wagons.

 

[JW]

So yours didn't work, you took it in, and they fixed it?

 

[Svein Tore Sølvik]

[JW] (Wed, 21 Jan 2004 08:52:35 -0500):

I looked on my recall letter and it says 1996 and 1997 850 sedans and wagons.

Found the recall on www.alldata.com, I'll talk to mye garage

 

[Mark Seeley]

You're SOL. Applies to 1996 and 1997 sedans and wagons.

Hi Guys,

A couple of points regarding the recall... firstly is it a worldwide recall? I'm assuming it is... if so, my dad's got an 850 Estate which was registered in the UK in January 1996 - Chances are it was manufactured shortly before registration. Is it likely it's included in the recall? I'll probably just take it in and see what they say though. Drivers side hasn't worked in years - shame it sounds like that won't change though!

Mark

 

[Svein Tore Sølvik]

[Mark Seeley] (Thu, 22 Jan 2004 00:09:34 -0000):

Hi Guys,

A couple of points regarding the recall... firstly is it a worldwide recall? I'm assuming it is... if so, my dad's got an 850 Estate which was registered in the UK in January 1996 - Chances are it was manufactured shortly before registration. Is it likely it's included in the recall? I'll probably just take it in and see what they say though. Drivers side hasn't worked in years - shame it sounds like that won't change though!

Mark

My August-95-registered 850 is a '96-model.. So yes, your dads car is probably a 96

Dunno if its worldwide, but I guess so..

 

[Mike F]

Hi Guys,

A couple of points regarding the recall... firstly is it a worldwide recall? I'm assuming it is... if so, my dad's got an 850 Estate which was registered in the UK in January 1996 - Chances are it was manufactured shortly before registration. Is it likely it's included in the recall? I'll probably just take it in and see what they say though. Drivers side hasn't worked in years - shame it sounds like that won't change though!

Mark

From what I understand this recall involves melting connectors that are external to, but located under the seat. So if your heater has failed because of melting of these connectors, then the recall will fix the heat. If the heater has failed because of heater pad failure (more common, I think), then the recall will not fix it.