Owner Letter
November 1996Dear Volvo Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Volvo has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in the engine block heater which may have been installed as an accessory in a limited number of 1993 through 1996 Model Year 850 Series sedans and wagons.
Volvo has found that the block heater contact surface may not match correctly with the engine block as intended. In extreme circumstances the block heater may come loose from the engine block and, if being used, may possibly overheat. This may cause damage if it comes in contact with other engine compartment components. We strongly advise that you not use the block heater until you have the recall procedure performed on your vehicle.
If you are uncertain if your Volvo is equipped with an engine block heater, please refer to the illustration, see step B. To verify if your vehicle is equipped with an engine block heater, open the hood. The engine block heater electrical inlet plug should be located directly alongside the passenger side headlight. If there is no plug present, please disregard this notice.
If a block heater was installed on your Volvo, we would like to replace the bolts used to secure the heater. In a small amount of cases the surface tolerances may be inappropriate requiring replacement of the heater with a modified design. Whichever procedure is performed on your vehicle will take approximately 1 hour and will be done at no cost to you. Please contact your authorized Volvo Retailer as soon as possible to arrange for an appointment.
We have advised the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that we are conducting this recall. If you are unable to have your vehicle remedied without charge and within a reasonable time, you may contact the NHTSA Administrator at 1-800-424-9393. The phone number within the District of Columbia is 202-366-0123. Their address is 400 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20590.
If you have any questions, please contact your Volvo retailer or Volvo Customer Service, P.O. Box 914, Rockleigh, NJ 07647. You may call us at 1-800-458-1552 or
201-767-4737 (8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time).
Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to any involved lessee within ten days. Lessor means a person or entity that is the owner, as reflected on the vehicle's title, of any five or more leased vehicles.
Your continuous safety and satisfaction are very important to us. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we appreciate your cooperation.