RoadVitals

1996 Volvo 960 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
60
Latest Jul 16, 2015
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
16
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
9

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Volvo 960, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes1215.6%
  • Electrical1013.0%
  • Driver assistance79.1%
  • Engine79.1%
  • Body & structure67.8%
  • Airbags67.8%
  • Steering45.2%
  • Heating & air conditioning33.9%
  • Visibility22.6%
  • Interior & seats22.6%
  • Exterior lighting22.6%
  • Tires & wheels22.6%
  • Transmission22.6%
  • Suspension11.3%
  • Seat belts11.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE POWER STEERING PIPE MADE NOISE. *NM THERE WAS A NOISE DURING PARKING MANEUVERS OR TRAVELING AT EXTREMELY LOW SPEEDS COMING FORM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE A/C WOULD NOT COOL AND THE BRAKES PULSATED. (IN RE TO ODI# 10038186) *SC *JB

NHTSA ID 10092386 · filed Sep 13, 2004

WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES; DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE POWER STEERING PIPE FAILED AND CAUSED A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND IN THE FRONT END. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM IN 1998. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE REPAIRS BE MADE FREE OF CHARGE SINCE MANY UNNECESSARY REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE TO ALLEVIATE THE NOISE PRIOR TO THE WARRANTY EXPIRING. THE A/C WAS NOT COOLING. THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WORE BELOW SPECS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS AND THE PADS. *TS *NLM

NHTSA ID 10038186 · filed Oct 20, 2003
All 12 reports naming brakes

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLVO 960. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE LEAK WAS FROM THE FUEL RAIL AND THE FUEL RAIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE AS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 09/10/15*LJ UPDATED 11/27/2017*CN

NHTSA ID 10734578 · filed Jul 16, 2015

RAW GASOLINE LEAKING FROM MANUFACTURE DEFECTIVE FUEL RAIL. MANUFACTURE MACHINED SEALED TAPET/FLANGED ALUMINUM SEAL ON FUEL RAIL LEAKING RAW GASOLINE UNDER HIGH PRESSURE IN ENGINE BAY. PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS DURING ENGINE OPERATION. RAW GASOLINE IS FLAMMABLE. FUEL RAIL DELIVER SYSTEM PART OF EMISSIONS SYSTEM. OCCUPANTS MAY OR NOT NOTICE GASOLINE SMELL (NOXIOUS FUMES) DURING OPERATION INSIDE CABIN. MANUFACTURER RECALL ADVISED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10485136 · filed Nov 19, 2012
All 10 reports naming fuel system

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I LIVE IN GA AND LAST FRIDAY I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK IN THE RAIN, I HIT A BIG PUDDLE AND MY CAR STALLED OUT THEN CAME BACK ON AFTER I CLEARED THE PUDDLE, I CHECKED UNDERNEATH WHEN I GOT HOME AND THERE WAS NOTHING LOOSE THAT I COULD SEE. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME. MY CAR IS A 1996 VOLVO 960 WITH 177,000 MILES ON IT, IT RUNS GOOD BUT DOES HAVE OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES TOO. *TR

NHTSA ID 10281525 · filed Aug 24, 2009

DT: CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING HIS VEHICLE THE FAN RELAY SWITCH MELTED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO START SMOKING. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND DISCONNECTION OF THE BATTERY THE SMOKE ENDED AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES. *TT

NHTSA ID 10123988 · filed Jun 2, 2005
All 10 reports naming electrical

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TWICE, IN MY 1996 VOLVO 960, I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. IN BOTH CIRCUMSTANCES I WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT. I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW MY CAR DOWN IN ORDER TO TAKE AN EXIT RAMP. I EVENTUALLY PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND TURNED IT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR SAFELY, BUT THESE WERE THE MOST FRIGHTENING DRIVING EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, MY DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE (WHICH APPEARED NORMAL) AND REPLACED MY BRAKES (WHICH I DESTROYED TRYING TO STOP THE CAR). AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT (TWO WEEKS LATER), THE DEALERSHIP DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT REOCCURRED. I HAD NEVER USED THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THAT CAR.*AK

NHTSA ID 10068338 · filed May 5, 2004

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 55MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL, CAME TO A SHARP CURVE AND APPLIED BRAKES. TRYING TO REDUCE SPEED, VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD/FASTER AND HIT THE CURVE SIGN. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER FRONT AIR BAGS NOR SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ID 861584 · filed May 8, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AT 110K I NOTICED COOLANT LEVEL DROPPING FASTER THAN USUAL, AND COOLANT ON GARAGE FLOOR. DEALER REMOVED SIDE ENGINE COVER AND SHOWED ME A LINE OF PINHOLE LEAKS IN THE ALUMINUM BLOCK. TECHNICIAN SAID THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT HE HAD SEEN BEFORE, AND THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. VOLVO OFFERED NO HELP, "OUT OF WARRANTY." I PURCHASED A USED 1998 960 ENGINE FOR $1900 AND DEALER INSTALLED FOR $1800, INCLUDING INCIDENTAL PARTS. SOON THEREAFTER, RADIATOR BLEW AND RUINED CYLINDER HEAD. THE 1 YEAR USED ENGINE WARRANTY COVERED CYLINDER HEAD AND I PAID ABOUT $800 FOR NEW RADIATOR. TOTAL OUTLAY $4500! I FOLDED MY CARDS AND GOT $3500 FOR VOLVO TOWARD A NEW TOYOTA COROLLA. NO MORE VOLVOS FOR ME! *NM

NHTSA ID 10182120 · filed Feb 9, 2007

AS OF JULY 29, 2005, MY 1996 VOLVO 960 STARTED LOSING SPEED AND THE ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING! THUS FAR, NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN SUSTAINED. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. ON AUGUST 1, 2005, WBAL-TV REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH 1999-2001 VOLVOS. MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED AND UP TO NOW HAS BEEN IN EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITION. PLEASE ADVISE. *NM

NHTSA ID 10131502 · filed Aug 3, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS STICK AND CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. WHEN HANDLE IS PULLED FROM OUTSIDE, DOOR PANEL SEPARATES FROM DOOR FRAME. THIS ESPECIALLY HAPPENS IN HOT, HUMID WEATHER. *AK

NHTSA ID 749390 · filed Jul 28, 2001

THERMOSTAT WAS STICKING, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT, WHEN CONSUMER GOT VEHICLE BACK, HE HAD TO TAKE IT BACK BECAUSE THE COOLANT CAP AND RESERVOIR WERE NOT HOLDING PRESSURE. RADIATOR NECK WAS BROKEN. IGNITION COILS HAD HAIR LINE FRACTURES. INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS LOOSE AND NEEDED REPLACED. BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. BATTERY FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA ID 875034 · filed Nov 15, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 1996 VOLVO 960 VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AND SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT A CAR THAT DID NOT STOP AT A STOP SIGN. THERE WERE 2 INJURIES. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED VOLVO DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. A POLICE AND INSURANCE REPORT WERE TAKEN. ALSO, THERE ARE PICTURES OF THE COLLISION. *AK

NHTSA ID 10133810 · filed Aug 22, 2005

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 55MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL, CAME TO A SHARP CURVE AND APPLIED BRAKES. TRYING TO REDUCE SPEED, VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD/FASTER AND HIT THE CURVE SIGN. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER FRONT AIR BAGS NOR SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. *AK

NHTSA ID 861584 · filed May 8, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE POWER STEERING PIPE MADE NOISE. *NM THERE WAS A NOISE DURING PARKING MANEUVERS OR TRAVELING AT EXTREMELY LOW SPEEDS COMING FORM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE A/C WOULD NOT COOL AND THE BRAKES PULSATED. (IN RE TO ODI# 10038186) *SC *JB

NHTSA ID 10092386 · filed Sep 13, 2004

WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT DRIVER WOULD HEAR LOUD NOISE COMING FROM STEERING COLUMN. *AK THE POWER STEERING PIPE FAILED AND CAUSED A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND IN THE FRONT END. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM IN 1998. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE REPAIRS BE MADE FREE OF CHARGE SINCE MANY UNNECESSARY REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE TO ALLEVIATE THE NOISE PRIOR TO THE WARRANTY EXPIRING. THE A/C WAS NOT COOLING. THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WORE BELOW SPECS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS AND THE PADS. *TS *NLM

NHTSA ID 10039674 · filed Oct 20, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE POWER STEERING PIPE MADE NOISE. *NM THERE WAS A NOISE DURING PARKING MANEUVERS OR TRAVELING AT EXTREMELY LOW SPEEDS COMING FORM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE A/C WOULD NOT COOL AND THE BRAKES PULSATED. (IN RE TO ODI# 10038186) *SC *JB

NHTSA ID 10092386 · filed Sep 13, 2004

WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN VEHICLE MAKES A LOUD NOISE. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR VEHICLE, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES; DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE POWER STEERING PIPE FAILED AND CAUSED A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND IN THE FRONT END. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM IN 1998. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE REPAIRS BE MADE FREE OF CHARGE SINCE MANY UNNECESSARY REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE TO ALLEVIATE THE NOISE PRIOR TO THE WARRANTY EXPIRING. THE A/C WAS NOT COOLING. THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WORE BELOW SPECS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS AND THE PADS. *TS *NLM

NHTSA ID 10038186 · filed Oct 20, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THROTTLE PLATE WAS STICKING CAUSING ROUGH IDLE. NLM

NHTSA ID 549134 · filed Oct 21, 1999

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON HEADLIGHTS MELTED THE BUMPER, CAUSING BUMPER TO FALL OFF.

NHTSA ID 510820 · filed Oct 30, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DASH LIGHTS GO OFF AND ON WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. *AK

NHTSA ID 10045427 · filed Nov 4, 2003

GAS TANK FAILED.

NHTSA ID 604870 · filed Sep 11, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT FAILED.

NHTSA ID 604290 · filed Oct 27, 1997

FRONT STABILIZER BAR IS LOOSE.

NHTSA ID 602899 · filed Apr 10, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MICHELIN (195/65/R15) TIRE FAILED.

NHTSA ID 605160 · filed Sep 22, 1997

REAR TIRE BLEW OUT.

NHTSA ID 602818 · filed Feb 12, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HESITATION COMMENCES INTERMITTENTLY BETWEEN 2-8 SECONDS WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 20-40 MP. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. SEEKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID 851143 · filed Nov 12, 1999

EXCESSIVE FORCE NEEDED TO SHIFT GEARS.

NHTSA ID 602723 · filed Feb 12, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT STABILIZER BAR IS LOOSE.

NHTSA ID 602899 · filed Apr 10, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SEAT BELTS ALL HAVE A BUTTON IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BELT WHICH PREVENTS BUCKLE FROM SLIDING FAR ENOUGH TO SECURE CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN POSITION.

NHTSA ID 509464 · filed Oct 3, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .