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1996 Volvo 960Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 60 owner complaints about the 1996 Volvo 960, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints6014 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage39kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 16, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Volvo 960 has problems

60 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, hydraulic122
Electrical system112
Engine and engine cooling72
Vehicle speed control71
Structure60
Air bags66
Fuel system, gasoline50
Steering40
Equipment30
9 other systems160

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

0 recalls

1996 Volvo 960 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other 960 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 960 median. How we score

'92'93'94'95'96'97
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Volvo 960, and the recalls they led to.

  1. INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTPE99040 · closed Oct 27, 1999
    No recall
In owners' words

What 960 owners report

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

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
Complaint 10092386 · Sep 13, 2004 · 55,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10038186 · Oct 20, 2003 · 22,576 miles
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…
Complaint 875034 · Nov 15, 2000

Own a 1996 960?

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