1996 Volvo 854 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 854 years
- Not enough data 3rd of 3 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Volvo 854. That ranks 3rd out of 3 854 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is fuel/propulsion system (2 complaints, 40%), typically at around 225,000 miles. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 5owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1996 Volvo 854 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 40% | 225,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 40% | — | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 20% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1996 Volvo 854 recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Problem: On some sedans and station wagons equipped with seat heaters, it is possible that excessive compression of the seat cushion could cause damage to the electrical wiring of the seat heater.
Risk: If this occurs, the damage could result in a short circuit that could cause a fire.
Fix: Dealers will disconnect the existing wires and install a new electronic thermostat and cable harness. Owner notification began on february 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: The screws which attach the throttle plate to its axle (shaft) can loosen allowing the throttle plate to come in contact with the throttle housing.
Risk: This condition could prevent the throttle from returning to idle position increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Fix: Dealers will replace the throttle housing.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Fuel tank leaks (PE03003) — opened Jan 16, 2003, closed Jun 11, 2003.
- Seat fires (EA02019) — opened Aug 22, 2002, closed Dec 18, 2002, led to recall 02V314000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLVO 854. WHEN THE CONTACT FILLED UP THE TANK WITH FUEL, HE SMELLED FUEL FUMES WITHOUT GETTING CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED DYER & DYER VOLVO CARS (5260 PEACHTREE BLVD, CHAMBLEE, GA 30341, [redacted]) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE…
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 volvo 854. The contact stated that there was a strong odor of fuel progressing for an extended period of time. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure…
Yet another 1996 volvo 850 suffering from abs control unit failure.*ak
Tire and rim combination causes blow outs in the front tires when going over road hazards.
Abs microswitch failed.
Other Volvo 854 years
See all Volvo 854 problems by year, every Volvo model, or the Volvo VIN decoder.
Similar Volvo models
Embed this 1996 Volvo 854 badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Volvo 854?
Owners most often report fuel/propulsion system, service brakes, hydraulic, tires problems. The top one, fuel/propulsion system, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Volvo 854?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1996 Volvo 854 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 854 model years, the 1996 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.