12 of the
88 complaints about the 1996 Volvo 960 are about the
electrical system — 14% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
116,000 miles.
D
12
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
433.3%
Electrical System
325.0%
Ignition
216.7%
12V/24V/48V Battery
18.3%
Front Underhood
18.3%
Interior/Under Dash
18.3%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 177,000 milesLoganville, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10281525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10123988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesO'fallon, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
DASH LIGHTS GO OFF AND ON WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON.
NHTSA complaint #10045427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leetonia, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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
NHTSA complaint #891869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walnut, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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
NHTSA complaint #875034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walnut, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
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
NHTSA complaint #875034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Juan, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
NHTSA complaint #871574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ojai, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
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
NHTSA complaint #864799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia B, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ALTERNATOR FAILED TWO TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #543047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beach, VACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
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.
NHTSA complaint #832152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chula Vist, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
PNP SWITCH FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE NOT TO START.
NHTSA complaint #604683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.