INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
FaultScore report
1995 Volvo 960 problems
Owners have filed 91 complaints about the 1995 Volvo 960 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2011. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.
FaultScore 73/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Volvo 960.
How this is worked outThe numbers
91
Complaints
11
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
99,782 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
8%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
What kind of bad
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.
- Complaint volume — 81
- Against the median year of the Volvo 960. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
- Severity — 100
- 30.8% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
- Early failure — 13
- 8% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.
How 1995 compares with every other Volvo 960
Click any bar to open that year's report.
What breaks on a 1995 Volvo 960
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 69,000 mi
7 crashes, 0 fires · median 112,000 mi
1 crashes, 1 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 115,000 mi
1 crashes, 1 fires · median 116,000 mi
0 crashes, 3 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 99,200 mi
Exactly what failed
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
When owners complained
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.
NHTSA investigations into the 1995 Volvo 960
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
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 960. WHILE PULLING INTO HER DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO HER GARAGE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE DESCRIBED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10318920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT ACCELERATED FROM ZERO TO 40 MPH WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE HIT A CONCRETE PARKING BARRIER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE'S BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE. THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM OCCURRED ONCE AGAIN. THIS TIME IT CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A WALL. IT WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO STATED THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A PROBLEM WITHIN THE ENGINE. *AK UPDATED 12/16/2005 - THE DEALER LATER FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CRIMPED END AT THE THROTTLE VALVE. AS A RESULT THE CABLE HOUSING HAD SLID OUT AND WAS HANGING UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WHEN IN GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10141688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE ACCELERATED, AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND A VEHICLE. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10079394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 30 MPH AND WITH NO WARNING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED ON TWO OCCASIONS. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WITH BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND HE/SHE LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD GONE ONTO THE SIDEWALK(S), SIDE SWIPED OBJECTS, AND COLLIDED INTO A BUILDING. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10034313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE'S HEATED SEATS HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS BOTH HEATERS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS HAVE SHORTED OUT AFTER BURNING. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10003783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
ON 8/31/2002 MY 1995 VOLVO 950 WAS HIT AT THE LEFT REAR END WHILE MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVEL EAST BOUND ON HIGHWAY 60 IN CALIFORNIA, STOPPING DUE TO TRAFFIC CONDITION AHEAD. DURING THE REAR END COLLISION IMPACT, THE SEATBACKS OF BOTH FRONT SEATS COLLAPSED REARWARD. WE SUFFERED ARM, NECK, SHOULDER, AND BACK INJURIES BECAUSE THERE WERE NO SEATBACK SUPPORTS. DURING THE COLLISION THE WINDSHIELD AND OTHER WINDOWS, EXCEPT THE LEFT REAR ONE, REMAINED INTACT. WE WERE LUCKY NOT HAVING MORE SERIOUS INJURIES. COLLAPSE OF SEATBACKS REARWARD WOULD HAVE CAUSED MORE SERIOUS INJURIES, OR EVEN DEATH. DT
NHTSA complaint #768901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 960. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD AN EXTREMELY STRONG GASOLINE FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,289. UPDATED 07/21/11 *BF UPDATED 07/28/11
NHTSA complaint #10406084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 VOLVO 960. WHILE PULLING INTO HER DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO HER GARAGE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE DESCRIBED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10318920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
MY CAR IS A 1995 960 MODEL VOLVO, ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO THE LEATHER STARTED PULLING AWAY FROM THE WINDOWS ON ALL FOUR DOORS. IT LOOKS TERRIBLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET IT FIX , BUT CANNOT FIND ANYONE THAT IS WILLING TO FIX IT. HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS
NHTSA complaint #10232443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
IN EARLY MORNING COLD STARTUPS, THERE ARE GAS FUMES THAT ARE PRESENT. THEY EVENTUALLY DISAPPEAR AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING. I KNOW THERE MUST BE A FUEL LEAK ON THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE.
NHTSA complaint #10211903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
SRS LIGHT IS ON AND DOESN'T TURN OFF. IT IS PART OF A RECALL. *TR UPDATED 01-14-08.
NHTSA complaint #10206889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
FUEL RAIL LEAKING GASOLINE ON ENGINE. SMELL INSIDE CABIN MAKING ME SICK. GARAGE SMELLED AS WELL. AFTER DRIVING, THE SMELL WOULD GO AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10158823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FUEL RAIL LEAKING GASOLINE ON ENGINE. SMELL INSIDE CABIN MAKING ME SICK. GARAGE SMELLED AS WELL. AFTER DRIVING, THE SMELL WOULD GO AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10158823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT ACCELERATED FROM ZERO TO 40 MPH WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE HIT A CONCRETE PARKING BARRIER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE'S BODY DAMAGE WAS REPAIRED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE. THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM OCCURRED ONCE AGAIN. THIS TIME IT CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A WALL. IT WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO STATED THE INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY A PROBLEM WITHIN THE ENGINE. *AK UPDATED 12/16/2005 - THE DEALER LATER FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE HOUSING HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CRIMPED END AT THE THROTTLE VALVE. AS A RESULT THE CABLE HOUSING HAD SLID OUT AND WAS HANGING UP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WHEN IN GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10141688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ENGINE FAILED . AS A RESULT, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES BECAME INOPERATIVE. NO IMPACT REPORTED.
NHTSA complaint #10093965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, WHICH CAUSED LOST OF POWER AND CONTROL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10087974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE ACCELERATED, AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND A VEHICLE. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10079394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES:SIDEWALL
CONSUMER DISCOVERED A 4 INCH GASH ON INNER SIDEWALL OF PIRELLI TIRE. TIRE SIZE P205/55R/16. *AK THE TIRES SIDEWALL BLEWOUT.
NHTSA complaint #10053951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 30 MPH AND WITH NO WARNING THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED ON TWO OCCASIONS. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WITH BOTH HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN SUDDENLY, WITHOUT WARNING, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED TO THE RIGHT AND HE/SHE LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD GONE ONTO THE SIDEWALK(S), SIDE SWIPED OBJECTS, AND COLLIDED INTO A BUILDING. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10034313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
COPNSUMER STATES VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10026669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS IN MY 1995 960 VOLVO STATION WAGON DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY AS I WAS BACKING OUT A DRIVEWAY AT 2 - 3 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10018738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10012054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10009797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THE FUEL RAIL ON MY 1995 VOLVO 960 LEAKS. IT LEAKS AT THE PLUG ON THE END OF THE RAIL. IT LEAKS A STEADY STREAM OF GAS THAT POURS OVER MY ENGINE. AFTER REVIEWING VOLVO USER FORUMS IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS TYPE OF VOLVO. IT IS A SEVERE FIRE HAZARD! WHY HAVEN'T YOU FORCED THE DEALER TO ISSUE A RECALL NOTICE?
NHTSA complaint #10004892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE'S HEATED SEATS HAS MALFUNCTIONED AND CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS BOTH HEATERS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS HAVE SHORTED OUT AFTER BURNING. SCC
NHTSA complaint #10003783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
ON 8/31/2002 MY 1995 VOLVO 950 WAS HIT AT THE LEFT REAR END WHILE MY WIFE AND I WERE TRAVEL EAST BOUND ON HIGHWAY 60 IN CALIFORNIA, STOPPING DUE TO TRAFFIC CONDITION AHEAD. DURING THE REAR END COLLISION IMPACT, THE SEATBACKS OF BOTH FRONT SEATS COLLAPSED REARWARD. WE SUFFERED ARM, NECK, SHOULDER, AND BACK INJURIES BECAUSE THERE WERE NO SEATBACK SUPPORTS. DURING THE COLLISION THE WINDSHIELD AND OTHER WINDOWS, EXCEPT THE LEFT REAR ONE, REMAINED INTACT. WE WERE LUCKY NOT HAVING MORE SERIOUS INJURIES. COLLAPSE OF SEATBACKS REARWARD WOULD HAVE CAUSED MORE SERIOUS INJURIES, OR EVEN DEATH. DT
NHTSA complaint #768901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THE FUEL RAIL HAS A MANUFACTURING HOLE AT ITS FRONT END, WHICH IS PERMANENTLY PLUGGED BEFORE INSTALLATION. IN RECENT WEEKS, THIS PLUG BEGAN LEAKING RAW GASOLINE, WHICH IS UNDER HIGH PRESSURE WITHIN THE FUEL RAIL TO SUPPLY FUEL TO THE FUEL INJECTORS. THE SOURCE WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY EVIDENT, UNTIL JANUARY 25TH, WHEN THE FUMES BECAME SICKENING. AT THAT TIME, WE OBSERVED RAW FUEL DROPLETS LEAKING PAST THIS FUEL RAIL PLUG ON THE ENGINE. WE IMMEDIATELY KILLED THE ENGINE. IN TALKING WITH VOLVO DEALERSHIP PERSONNEL, THEY WERE IMMEDIATELY FAMILIAR WITH THE SITUATION, INDICATING THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE. MY IMPRESSION IS THAT IT IS HAPPENING MANY MORE TIMES THAN IT SHOULD, CONSIDERING THE FIRE HAZARD THAT FUEL CAN BE. OBVIOUSLY, NO ONE WAS GOING TO GIVE ME NUMBERS, BUT MY CONCERN IS OBVIOUS. THE REPLACEMENT FUEL RAIL (P/N 9179348) IS FOR THE S90, SUGGESTING TO ME THAT THE PROBLEM WITH 960 FUEL RAILS IS WIDESPREAD, SUCH THAT A DIFFERENT PART OR A REDESIGN IS NEEDED. THE TWO FUEL RAILS ARE DISSIMILAR, SO ADDITIONAL PARTS ARE REQUIRED TO MATCH THE NEW RAIL TO THE 960 MODEL. IN MY OPINION, THIS ISSUE IS WORTH INVESTIGATING FOR POSSIBLE RECALL. FYI I DO MOST OF MY OWN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS, SO I HAVE FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE OF THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #757599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY AND WAS DRIVEN HOME AND PARKED. ON A LATER TRIP THE SAME DAY THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY WENT FROM 30 MPH TO 50 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN WITH BRAKING AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. WHEN PUT IN NEUTRAL THE ENGINE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED TO APPROX. 4000RPM, IN PARK IT SLOWED CLOSER TO IDLE. ONCE SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN, IT THEN ONCE AGAIN BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #750302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO FUNCTION NORMALLY AND WAS DRIVEN HOME AND PARKED. ON A LATER TRIP THE SAME DAY THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY WENT FROM 30 MPH TO 50 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN WITH BRAKING AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. WHEN PUT IN NEUTRAL THE ENGINE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED TO APPROX. 4000RPM, IN PARK IT SLOWED CLOSER TO IDLE. ONCE SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN UNTIL IT COOLED DOWN, IT THEN ONCE AGAIN BEGAN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #750302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
5/14 - VEHICLE STALLS AS CROSSING INTERSECTION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOW ON. ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AND HAD 2 MORE STALLS BEFORE ARRIVING AT DEALER FOR SERVICING. 6/13 - WHILE TRAVELLING UPHILL, APPLIED GAS AND VEHICLE DIED WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. AGAIN RETURNED VEHICLE FOR SERVICING. 7/6 - WHILE TRAVELLING ON FLAT ROAD, CAR STALLS WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. NUMEROUS STALLS WHILE DRIVING FROM FRIEND'S HOME TO DEALER FOR SERVICING. 7/17 - PICKED CAR UP AT DEALERSHIP, 3 STALLS WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON BEFORE MAKING IT TO THE MAIN. CAR RETURNED TO DEALER FOR SERVICING.
NHTSA complaint #749872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
5/14 - VEHICLE STALLS AS CROSSING INTERSECTION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOW ON. ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AND HAD 2 MORE STALLS BEFORE ARRIVING AT DEALER FOR SERVICING. 6/13 - WHILE TRAVELLING UPHILL, APPLIED GAS AND VEHICLE DIED WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. AGAIN RETURNED VEHICLE FOR SERVICING. 7/6 - WHILE TRAVELLING ON FLAT ROAD, CAR STALLS WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. NUMEROUS STALLS WHILE DRIVING FROM FRIEND'S HOME TO DEALER FOR SERVICING. 7/17 - PICKED CAR UP AT DEALERSHIP, 3 STALLS WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON BEFORE MAKING IT TO THE MAIN. CAR RETURNED TO DEALER FOR SERVICING.
NHTSA complaint #749872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.