1996 Volvo 960

Routine

Owners filed 60 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. No safety recall has been issued.

Most common 1996 Volvo 960 problems

8 of the 60 complaints (13%) are about the electrical system.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration6
000
Air Bags › Frontal · airbags6
607
Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail · fuel system4
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes3
101
Fuel/Propulsion System · fuel and propulsion system3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System · engine3
002
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator3
100
Tires2
000
Structure › Body › Door · body and frame2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc · brakes2
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 16, 201573,000 milesFL

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

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 19, 2012TX

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

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 8, 2012166,800 milesTX

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

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jan 23, 2011136,511 milesTX

LEAKING FUEL RAIL - OUR 1996 VOLVO 960, WHICH WAS BOUGHT NEW AND SERVICED REGULARLY BY VOLVO MECHANICS, DEVELOPED A BAD FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE CABIN, AND, WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD, IT WAS APPARENT THAT IT HAD A SERIOUS GASOLINE LEAK, WHICH WAS MODE WORSE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS HOT. I TRIED TO FIND THE LEAK, BUT COULDN'T FIND ANY FUEL LINES LEAKING. WE TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL VOLVO MECHANIC, AND HE SAID IT WAS THE FUEL RAIL, AND SAID THAT IT WAS QUITE COMMON ON THAT MODEL. I ASKED HIM IF IT WAS DANGEROUS, AND HE LOOKED AT ME LIKE I WAS A COMPLETE DUMMY! WE HAD THE FUEL RAIL REPLACED, AT GREAT EXPENSE, OF COURSE, BUT I COULDN'T HAVE MY FAMILY AT RISK DAILY IN THE CAR. THERE APPEARS NOT TO BE A RECALL, BUT I AM HAVING ONE OF THE LOCAL PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS LOOK INTO THE SITUATION. SURELY THERE IS A BULLETIN OUT ON THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION! *LN

Electrical System
Filed Aug 24, 2009177,000 milesGA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Feb 9, 2007114,000 milesNM

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

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail
Filed Nov 21, 2006160,000 milesWA

FOR THE PAST YEAR MY CAR HAS BEEN REEKING OF GASOLINE FUMES, NORMALLY IN THE MORNING WHEN COLD STARTING, BUT WOULD OCCUR PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THE SMELL WAS SO OVERWHELMING THAT I COULD NOT TURN THE HEATER ON IN THE CAR, AND WOULD HAVE TO PUT THE WINDOWS DOWN IN THE CAR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD TO TRY TO RID THE CAR OF FUMES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE VOLVO DEALER AND LEFT IT WITH THEM FOR DAYS. THEY ASSURED ME IT WAS A ACCUMULATION OF SOMETHING IN THE VENT SYSTEM, AND THEY CLEANED THAT OUT. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. I FINALLY TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE FUEL RAIL. THE END PIECE WOULD ALLOW FUEL TO VIRTUALLY SPILL OUT. PLEASE REFER TO THIS WEB SITE WHICH DESCRIBES THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN DETAIL: HTTP://WWW.VOLVOCLUB.ORG.UK/FAQ/960_90INFO.HTML#960B6300FUELRAILLEAKAGEPROBLEMS MY CAR WAS A POTENTIAL TIME BOMB. NOT ONLY DID VOLVO NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, BUT WHEN MY NEW MECHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM IT TOOK MY MECHANIC THREE TRIPS TO VOLVO IN ORDER TO HAVE THEM ORDER THE CORRECT PARTS AS VOLVO NO LONGER MANUFACTURERS THAT PARTICULAR PART - HMMMM....I WONDER WHY. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A HORRIBLE SITUATION, ESPECIALLY WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. WE EXPERIENCED SORE THROATS, AND FROZE TO DEATH ON COLD MORNINGS NOT BEING ABLE TO TURN THE HEATER ON DUE TO BEING FUMIGATED WITH GASOLINE FUMES. *NM *NM

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail
Filed Dec 3, 2005139,420 milesGA

THE FUEL RAIL BEGAN LEAKING FROM PLUG IN FRONT END OF RAIL. I WAS ABLE TO SMELL THE LEAK IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND WAS ABLE TO AVOID A FIRE OR OTHER DAMAGE. LOCAL INDEPENDENT PARTS STORE INDICATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 960. BOUGHT A NEW, REDESIGNED FUEL RAIL FROM LOCAL VOLVO DEALER. IT WAS IN STOCK AND THEY INDICATED THAT THEY SELL A FAIR NUMBER OF THESE. THEY INDICATED THAT THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS PART. THE NEW PART HAS A DIFFERENT DESIGN OF THE END PLUG WHICH LEAKED ON MY CAR. I NO LONGER HAVE THE OLD PART AVAILABLE. *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 22, 2005125,000 milesTN

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 3, 2005170,000 milesMD

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

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail
Filed Jul 24, 200597,398 milesIL

1996 VOLVO 960 SEDAN - FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE PROBLEM, FRONT OF FUEL RAIL DEVELOPED A LEAK AT A FACTORY PLUG (METAL). FUEL WAS POURING OUT BETWEEN METAL PLUG AND FUEL RAIL ONTO THE (HOT) ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING. INQUIRED ABOUT PARTS TO REPLACE FUEL RAIL ASS'Y FOR A 1996 VOLVO 960, FUEL RAIL ASS'Y HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY A 1998 UP DESIGN. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE AND POSSIBLE DEATH.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 2, 2005WA

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

Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Apr 19, 2005135,000 milesTX

FUEL SMELL. *AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Sep 13, 200455,000 milesDC

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

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed May 5, 2004159,000 milesNH

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

Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail
Filed Mar 31, 200469,051 milesMO

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG CHEMICAL FUME SMELL INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED SORRY, NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITHOUT WARRANTY. *AK THE FUEL RAIL ALUMINUM HOUSING WAS LEAKING WHERE IT WAS A CRIMPED TOGETHER AT THE ENDS. GAS WAS LEAKING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD AT THE FIREWALL AND GAS FUMES WERE ESCAPING THROUGH THE VENTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *SC

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Nov 4, 200355,000 milesIL

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

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 28, 200322,812 milesCA

ODOMETER FRAUD FROM DEALERSHIP - VEHICLE WAS SOLD WITH AN ODOMETER READING OF 21,812. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE PURCHASE THE CAR HAD PROBLEMS AND WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE LOOKED LIKE IT HAD MANY MORE MILES ON IT. THROUGH CAR FAX WE FOUND THAT THE CAR HAD OVER 90,000 MILES. WE BOUGHT FROM A DEALERSHIP THAT IS PART OF A LARGE AUTO GROUP AND PRESUMED PROPER DUE DILIGENCE WAS DONE. WHILE WE DID GET A REFUND, WE FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT TO FILE A COMPLAINT SHOULD THERE BE OTHERS OUT THERE IN THE SAME SITUATION.*AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Hose, Piping, and Connections
Filed Oct 20, 200322,576 milesCO

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

Steering › Column
Filed Oct 20, 200322,576 milesCO

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

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Power Steering Fluid
Filed Aug 15, 200334,907 milesVA

PROBLEMS WITH SEALS ON RACK AND PINION SYSTEM.*MR CONSUMER THOUGHT THE POWER STEERING FLUID THAT WAS ADDED DURING THE OIL CHANGE, WASN'T ACCEPTABLE TO THE SEALS IN THE RACK AND PINION. *PH *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Jan 17, 2002CA

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH ON HIGWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD PANEL. SHE PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDERS. VEHICLE STARTED OVERHEATING. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jul 28, 2001MA

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

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Jul 2, 2001OH

UPON STARTING UP VEHICLE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. A NEIGHBOR STARTED YELLING FOR HER HUSBAND TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM BELOW THE VEHICLE WHILE ENGINE ATTEMPTED TO START, EVEN THOUGH THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM IGNITION. NO DETERMINATION HAS BEEN MADE AS TO CAUSE OF THIS FIRE. INSURANCE COMPANY WAS GOING TO HAVE VEHICLE REMOVED. *AK AREA OF FIRE ORIGIN WAS IN THE ENGINE ARE, POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Nov 15, 2000CA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System2 injured
Filed Nov 15, 2000CA

VOLVO CAR IS NOT RELIABLE ANYMORE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Sep 27, 2000CA

OVER A PERIOD OF 4 YEARS VEHICLE CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. DEALERSHIP HAS CHANGED VARIOUS COMPONENTS. VEHICLE WILL OPERATE SAFELY FOR A WHILE, BUT PROBLEM COMES RIGHT BACK. PLEASE LIST ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Jul 5, 2000CA

CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR 2 TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS 19,000 MILES. THE WARRANTY WAS UP THIS YEAR. NO REMEDY FOR THE PROBLEM FROM THE DEALER & NO SATISFACTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *AK *ML

Air Bags › FrontalCrash2 injured
Filed May 8, 2000CA

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

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 12, 1999CA

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

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Oct 21, 1999NY

THROTTLE PLATE WAS STICKING CAUSING ROUGH IDLE. NLM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Sep 24, 1999TX

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. MJS

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 16, 1999NY

I AM THE OWNER OF A 1996 VOLVO 960. I AM WRITING BECAUSE OF A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE I HAD WITH 3 FRIENDS WHILE DRIVING ON A TRIP FROM NEW YORK TO OHIO. OUR TRIP BEGAN ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 AT 3:00. I HAD JUST HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT BAY RIDGE VOLVO TWO EVENINGS BEFORE. ONE PROBLEM THEY CORRECTED WAS A ROUGH IDLE I HAD WHEN STARTING THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME THE THROTTLE PLATE WAS STICKING A LITTLE, SO THEY UNSTUCK IT. I HAD PICKED UP THE CAR ON THURSDAY, AND JUST DROVE IT HOME. WE WERE 15 MILES OUTSIDE OF THE CITY, ON INTERSTATE 280 IN NEW JERSEY, NEAR EXIT 4 (LAUREL ROAD.) WE WERE GOING UP A LONG HILL AND I LET MY FOOT UP OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND NOTICED THAT THE CAR DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN AS IT SHOULD. MY CONCERN GREW WHEN AS WE CRESTED THE HILL, AND BEGAN GOING LEVELING OUT, THE CAR WAS SPEEDING UP BY ITSELF. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, BUT IT WASN'T. THEN I PUMPED THE ACCELERATOR, TO SEE IF MAYBE IT WAS STICKING, BUT IT WAS NOT. MY FRIENDS BEGAN TO REALIZE WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND ONE OF THEM SAID I SHOULD PULL OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT. I VAINLY ATTEMPTED TO PUT CRUISE CONTROL ON TO CONTROL THE SPEED, BUT IT WOULDN'T WORK. I THEN SHIFTED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE RACED, SO I PUT IT BACK INTO DRIVE. I HAD MY FOOT DOWN CONSTANTLY ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM GOING TOO FAST. I STARTED TO PULL OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT, THEN REALIZED THAT TO MY HORROR I COULDN'T SLOW DOWN, EVEN WITH THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY DOWN. I QUICKLY GOT BACK ON THE

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages
Filed Jan 25, 1999CA

WHILE BRAKING THE PEDAL ON OCCASIONS WILL HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DUE TO DESIGN.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Dec 30, 1998NC

OUR 960 HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. THE MOST IMPORTANT IS THE WARPING OF THE BRAKE ROTORS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM THREE TIMES PREVIOUSLY. TODAY (12/30/98) IS THE FOURTH TIME. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH VOLVO 960'S AND THAT IT COULD LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND/OR INJURIES IF NOT REPAIRED ON ALL VEHICLES LIKE OUR 960. THE WARPED ROTORS CAUSE EXCESSIVE SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND VIBRATION IN THE CHASSIS AND SUSPENSION WHICH MIGHT MITIGATE THE BRAKES EFFECTIVENESS IN SOME CONDITIONS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Dec 15, 1998VA

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION.

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/RegulatorCrash
Filed Dec 10, 1998VA

WHEN DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL AND THE ALTERNATOR WENT OUT. ALSO, THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES DIDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN INTO AN ENBANKMENT. *AK

Structure › Body › Bumpers
Filed Oct 14, 1998NM

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE, AND FELT SOMETHING COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE. ALSO, NOTICED THE BUMPER WAS HANGING FROM THE VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER FOR REPAIR. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash3 injured
Filed May 13, 1998AR

APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AND COLLIDED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS HIT, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Mar 28, 1998DC

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT TO PERFORM ACCURATELY. *AK

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 13, 1998SC

HIT A TREE HEAD-ON, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THERE WAS NO INJURIES. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Dec 18, 1997GA

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARP TOO QUICKLY, CAUSING HEAVY VIBRATION UPON BRAKING. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights
Filed Oct 27, 1997CA

LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT FAILED.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 27, 1997CA

SPOILER FAILED RESULTING IN IT FALLING OFF.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Oct 27, 1997CA

SECONDARY AIR VALVE FAILED.

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Oct 27, 1997CA

PNP SWITCH FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE NOT TO START.

Tires
Filed Sep 22, 1997CA

MICHELIN (195/65/R15) TIRE FAILED.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 11, 1997VA

FAST IDLE DOING COLD START; UPON PUTTING FOOT ON BRAKE TO SHIFT GEARS, BRAKE PEDAL DROPS, ALLOWING RIGHT TIP OF DRIVER'S FOOT TO HIT ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE JUMPS BACKWARDS WHEN SHIFTIING INTO REVERSE. *AK

Fuel System, Other › Storage
Filed Sep 11, 1997CA

GAS TANK FAILED.

Suspension › Front › Stabilizer Bar
Filed Apr 10, 1997CA

FRONT STABILIZER BAR IS LOOSE.

Complaints 1-50 of 60, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1996
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
199720000Routine
1996 — this page60010Routine
199557150Routine
199419020Routine
19937000Routine
199221020Routine
19901000Routine

Compare every 960 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.