FaultScore report
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 1994 Volvo 960 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2006. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 4 worst.
FaultScore 51/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Volvo 960.
How this is worked out24
Complaints
3
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
2 crashes, 0 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
0 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 1994 VOLVO 960 ON AUGUST 12,2006 ON A CONGESTED 4 LANE ROAD. SHE MOVED THE DRIVERS SEAT FORWARD WITH THE ELECTRIC POWERED SWITCH AND NOTICED SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE SEAT. SHE LOOKED MORE CLOSELY AND SAW FLAMES. SHE WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE ONTO A SIDE STREET AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND WHO IS A CERTIFIED BMW/ VOLVO TECHNICIAN, TRACED THE WIRES AND FOUND A SHORT IN THE SEAT HEATER ELEMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTENSIVE, REQUIRING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES WITH FIRE RETARDANT AND WATER. THE SEAT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED WITHIN 5 MINUTES AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BURNED. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10167070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAR ROLLED INTO ANOTHER CAR. DEALER CONTACTED, AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF INVESTIGATING PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #828130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ELECTRIC SHORT CAUSED UNDER HOOD ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, WHILE DRIVING SAW SMOKE, VEHICLE STALLED AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #808514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS AIR BAG, RESULTING IN WINDSHIELD BREAKING/INJURY. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *DSH
NHTSA complaint #504975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGES WITHOUT ASSISTANCE, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #481897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN FRONTAL COLLISION, IMPACT 12:00 SPEED 12, PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED, PASSENGER DEPLOYED METAL CASING WITH BAG HITTING WINDSHEILD
NHTSA complaint #964315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING OUR 1994 VOLVO 960 ON AUGUST 12,2006 ON A CONGESTED 4 LANE ROAD. SHE MOVED THE DRIVERS SEAT FORWARD WITH THE ELECTRIC POWERED SWITCH AND NOTICED SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE SEAT. SHE LOOKED MORE CLOSELY AND SAW FLAMES. SHE WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE ONTO A SIDE STREET AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND WHO IS A CERTIFIED BMW/ VOLVO TECHNICIAN, TRACED THE WIRES AND FOUND A SHORT IN THE SEAT HEATER ELEMENT. THE FIRE WAS EXTENSIVE, REQUIRING THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES WITH FIRE RETARDANT AND WATER. THE SEAT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED WITHIN 5 MINUTES AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BURNED. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10167070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE RADIATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10020444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES GEARS BECAME STUCK AFTER SHIFTING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10020142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10020141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
NO SUMMARY. DT
NHTSA complaint #770574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING FUEL TANK CRACKED AT THE SEAM AND CAR BEGAN LEAKING FUEL.
NHTSA complaint #8017834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE YOKOHAMA TIRE ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING, RESULTING IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE TIRE AND THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. TIRE SIZE P195/65R15.
NHTSA complaint #564796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE YOKOHAMA TIRE ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING, RESULTING IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE TIRE AND THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. TIRE SIZE P195/65R15.
NHTSA complaint #564796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
AUGUST 1995 CAR WAS RETURNED TO DEALER AS BRAKES WERE NOISY AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS MUSHY. FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE MILEAGE - 14349. SEPTEMBER, 1996 THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS AGAIN TRAVELING TOO FAR DOWN ACCOMPANIED BY VIBRATION. REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. MILEAGE - 34875. DECEMBER 1996 WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT STOPLIGHT IN 45 MPH ZONE ON DRY PAVEMENT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD GRINDING AND VIBRATION. CAR TRAVELED THROUGH LIGHT. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE, NO REPAIRS PERFORMED. MILEAGE - 39021. MARCH 1997 BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND VIBRATION. CAR WENT THROUGH STOPLIGHT. DEALER REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, BRAKE CALIPER, BRAKE FLUID, BLED THE BRAKE LINES. MILEAGE - 40283. MARCH 1998 BRAKES LOUD, MUSHY WITH VIBRATION AND SHUDDER. DEALER REPLACED REAR DISCS AND PADS. MILEAGE - 47557. JULY 1998 BRAKES VIBRATING. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. MILEAGE - 49297. MAY 1999 BRAKES GRINDING AND VIBRATING. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS, RECOMMENDED REPLACING REAR BRAKE ROTORS. MILEAGE - 57711. JULY 6, 1999 DEALER REPLACED REAR ROTORS AND PADS AS RECOMMENDED. JULY 20, 1999 BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO FLOOR ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD GRINDING AND VIBRATION. CAR TRAVELED THROUGH STOP SIGN IN 25 MPH ZONE. DEALER CLEANED FRONT WHEEL SENSORS. COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. MILEAGE - 59675.
NHTSA complaint #711154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
AUGUST 1995 CAR WAS RETURNED TO DEALER AS BRAKES WERE NOISY AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS MUSHY. FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE MILEAGE - 14349. SEPTEMBER, 1996 THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS AGAIN TRAVELING TOO FAR DOWN ACCOMPANIED BY VIBRATION. REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. MILEAGE - 34875. DECEMBER 1996 WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT STOPLIGHT IN 45 MPH ZONE ON DRY PAVEMENT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD GRINDING AND VIBRATION. CAR TRAVELED THROUGH LIGHT. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE, NO REPAIRS PERFORMED. MILEAGE - 39021. MARCH 1997 BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND VIBRATION. CAR WENT THROUGH STOPLIGHT. DEALER REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER, BRAKE CALIPER, BRAKE FLUID, BLED THE BRAKE LINES. MILEAGE - 40283. MARCH 1998 BRAKES LOUD, MUSHY WITH VIBRATION AND SHUDDER. DEALER REPLACED REAR DISCS AND PADS. MILEAGE - 47557. JULY 1998 BRAKES VIBRATING. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. MILEAGE - 49297. MAY 1999 BRAKES GRINDING AND VIBRATING. DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEMS, RECOMMENDED REPLACING REAR BRAKE ROTORS. MILEAGE - 57711. JULY 6, 1999 DEALER REPLACED REAR ROTORS AND PADS AS RECOMMENDED. JULY 20, 1999 BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO FLOOR ACCOMPANIED BY LOUD GRINDING AND VIBRATION. CAR TRAVELED THROUGH STOP SIGN IN 25 MPH ZONE. DEALER CLEANED FRONT WHEEL SENSORS. COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. MILEAGE - 59675.
NHTSA complaint #711154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON UNLESS THE BRAKE RELEASE BUTTON IS HELD DOWN. DEALER HAS REPLACED IT TWICE, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #852202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
WHEN TRYING TO USE THE HORN, IT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. ALSO, TRANSMISSION HAD DEVELOPED A CRACK, AND THE OIL LINE TO TRANSMISSION HAD A HOLE IN IT. THIS CAUSED THE OIL TO LEAK. FINALLY, BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT. TOOK TO DEALER TO HAVE TRANSMISSION & HORN REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #834960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
WHEN TRYING TO USE THE HORN, IT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. ALSO, TRANSMISSION HAD DEVELOPED A CRACK, AND THE OIL LINE TO TRANSMISSION HAD A HOLE IN IT. THIS CAUSED THE OIL TO LEAK. FINALLY, BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT. TOOK TO DEALER TO HAVE TRANSMISSION & HORN REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #834960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
WHEN TRYING TO USE THE HORN, IT FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. ALSO, TRANSMISSION HAD DEVELOPED A CRACK, AND THE OIL LINE TO TRANSMISSION HAD A HOLE IN IT. THIS CAUSED THE OIL TO LEAK. FINALLY, BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT. TOOK TO DEALER TO HAVE TRANSMISSION & HORN REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #834960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING MINOR LOW SPEED COLLISION WHICH CAUSED NO DAMAGE TO EXTERIOR OF VEHICLE, HOWEVER INTERIOR OF VEHICLE DAMAGED BADLY BY VIOLENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG.
NHTSA complaint #543137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAR ROLLED INTO ANOTHER CAR. DEALER CONTACTED, AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF INVESTIGATING PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #828130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
ELECTRIC SHORT CAUSED UNDER HOOD ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, WHILE DRIVING SAW SMOKE, VEHICLE STALLED AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #808514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WAS DRIVING AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY LOCKED UP, THERE WERE NO BRAKES .
NHTSA complaint #808099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS AIR BAG, RESULTING IN WINDSHIELD BREAKING/INJURY. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *DSH
NHTSA complaint #504975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGERS AIR BAG, RESULTING IN WINDSHIELD BREAKING.
NHTSA complaint #504975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
NO WARNING DEVICE TO ALERT DRIVER THAT DOOR IS AJAR.
NHTSA complaint #484968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT
CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGES WITHOUT ASSISTANCE, CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #481897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE INVOLVED IN FRONTAL COLLISION, IMPACT 12:00 SPEED 12, PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED, PASSENGER DEPLOYED METAL CASING WITH BAG HITTING WINDSHEILD
NHTSA complaint #964315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR PROBLEMS. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #479556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.