One problem related to manual transmission has been reported for the 1996 Volvo 850. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Volvo's manual transmission does not in anyway provide for safety, there is no way of preventing the car from coming out of gear when not placed on a steep incline as Volvo has pointed out. The rear side mirrors project out far enough to trap an individual prohibiting them from freeing themselves, resulting in death. Side mirrors are designed in such a way that an individual will lose their life before the mirror breaks free. I know, my daughter was killed by the passenger side mirror in this way.