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1996 Volvo 855Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 7 owner complaints about the 1996 Volvo 855, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints72 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage123kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 12, 2008. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Volvo 855 has problems

7 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Air bags11
Seat belts10
Service brakes, air10
Service brakes, electric10
Tires10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1996 Volvo 855 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front assembly: seat heater/cooler

Recall 02V-314 · Nov 19, 2002 · 65,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS OCCURS, THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vehicle speed control

Recall 96V-199 · Oct 11, 1996 · 12,530 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volvo.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other 855 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 855 median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'00
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Volvo 855, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SEAT FIRESEA02019 · closed Dec 18, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-314
In owners' words

What 855 owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

MY '96 VOLVO 855 HAS INTERMITTENT ABS FAILURE. THE ABS LIGHT GOES OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAR HAS 123,000 MILES. AFTER A BRIEF SEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS WAS TOO COMMON PROBLEM WITH ABS CONTROL MODULE. IT SEEMS THAT VOLVO DOES NOT ADMIT IT AS A SYSTEMATIC PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO…
Complaint 10041632 · Oct 11, 2003 · 123,000 miles
ABS BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT BRAKING THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON/GO OUT AT RANDOM, AND ON TWO OCCASIONS THE BRAKE WOULD TURN TO MANUAL BRAKING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON SEVEN OCCASIONS, AND CONDITION HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD…
Complaint 826419 · Aug 7, 1998

Own a 1996 855?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.