Volvo 960 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 137 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file for the Volvo 960, across 3 model years (1995–1997). The 1996 model year has the most complaints (60). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Volvo 960 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No 960 model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1996 960: 60 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1995 960: 57 complaints, 1 recall
- 1997 960: 20 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Volvo 960 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 25 | 3 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 21 | 3 | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 | 3 | 9 |
| Air Bags | 15 | 3 | 11 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 15 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 14 | 2 | 1 |
| Steering | 9 | 3 | 1 |
| Structure | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Tires | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Power Train | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 2 | 0 |
All Volvo 960 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 960 | 20 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 1996 960 | 60 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1995 960 | 57 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling |
More from Volvo: all Volvo models · Volvo VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo 960 years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 1996 (60), 1995 (57), 1997 (20). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Volvo 960?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 25 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the Volvo 960 have?
1 safety recall across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.