Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 Volvo 960, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes, hydraulic12
- Electrical system11
- Vehicle speed control7
- Engine and engine cooling7
- Structure6
- Air bags6
- Fuel system, gasoline5
- Steering4
- Equipment3
- Fuel/propulsion system3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 10 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 1996 Volvo 960 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.5 petrol (125 kW, 168 hp) and 2.9 petrol (150 kW, 201 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 petrol | 125 kW 168 hp | 113 |
| 2.9 petrol | 150 kW 201 hp | 72 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
201 first registered in 1996 are on Dutch roads; 34% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen71
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde64
- Band onvoldoende profiel49
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld35
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt30
- Remvertraging / remwerking parkeerrem onvoldoende30
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse27
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)24
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
110 cars built in 1996 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 189 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
79 of these cars first registered in 1996 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 320,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
6 1996 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 12.6–13.0 L/100 km (about 18–19 mpg US), CO₂ 290–299 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 960 · Compact · Premium gasoline | 14.9 | 9.8 | 12.6 |
| 960 Wagon · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 14.9 | 9.8 | 12.6 |
| 960 Wagon · Station wagon: Small · Premium gasoline | 14.9 | 10.6 | 13.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 1996 Volvo 960.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volvo told its dealers about the 1996 Volvo 960: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 620152 | ENHANCED INSPECTION / MAINTENANCE (I/M) PROGRAMS. THIS BULLETIN ADDRESSES CHARACTERISTICS OF THE 1996 VOLVO MODEL 850 AND 1996 - 1997 VOLVO MODEL 960. FOR THESE VEHICLES, INCOMPLETE READINESS CODES WILL NOT INHIBIT THE OBD II SYSTEM FROM MONITORING, DETECTING, AND SUBSEQUENTLY STORING A CORRESPONDING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE IN SYSTEM MEMORY. IT CAN BE EXPECTED THAT ONE OF THESE VEHICLES EXHIBITING INCOMPLETE READINESS CODES, BUT PRESENTING NO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS), WILL MEET I/M EMISSION STANDARDS. *TT |
| 620151 | THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED WITH VOLVO OBDII READINESS CODES AND SERVES AS ADVISORY INFORMATION FOR STATE INSPECTION / MAINTENANCE (I/M) PROGRAMS. THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN DISCUSSED WITH THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (US EPA). *TT |
| 613429 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES INDICATING MISFIRES AND / OR A HARD ENGINE START CONDITION. *TT |
| 6089544 | INFORMATION REGARDING SNOWCHAINS ON 205/55 R16 TIRES. *TT |
| 6089532 | ADDRESSING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS OF VIBRATION AND / OR RESONANCE WHILE BRAKING. *TT |
| 6089504 | SUBJECT REGARDING THE MISFIRE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. *TT |
| 608292 | THIS BULLETIN ADDRESSES CONCERNS OF CASES WHERE TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) 313 (GEAR SHIFT POSITION SENSOR) REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSOR. *TT |
| 607363 | INFORMATION REGARDNG PULSED SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS. *TT |
| 602810 | INFORMATION ON BOTH OBD II CODING AND FAULT TRACING FOR THE NEW DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE AT-412. *YC |
| 600922 | ADDITIONAL ACTIONS WHEN REPLACING REAR WINDOW. *YC |
| 46381 | NOISE CAN BE CAUSED BY THE LEGROOM ADJUSTMENT LATCH (TRIGGER ARM) PRESSING AGAINST METAL. NOISE CAN ALSO BE CAUSED BY RUDDING BETWEEN PLASTIC PROTECTORS AND THE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT SPACER SCREW. |
| 46375 | A SWITCH WITH REPLACEABLE ILLUMINATION BULB IS BEING INTRODUCED INTO PRODUCTION. IF THERE IS A FAULT IN THE ILLUMINATION BULB THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED - NOT THE SWITCH. |
| 10241661 | COMPLIMENTARY UPGRADE C00009 DESCRIPTION. |
| 10241651 | Rubber cushion |
| 10213885 | The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as products and repair methods evolve. |
| 10213883 | ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations |
| 10213882 | Battery Charger/maintainer requirement |
| 10212892 | Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS) |
| 10212891 | VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App |
| 10181041 | Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them. |
| 10179681 | This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Service 2.0 Software & Total Upgrade Reminder |
| 10178503 | Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them. |
| 10173760 | This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Service 2.0 Software & Total Upgrade Reminder |
| 10171676 | Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them. |
| 10170147 | Service Manager Bulletin TITLE : Service Action Notification Re - Mails GROUP : NO : ISSUING DEPARTMENT : CAR MARKET : Product Safety & Compliance United States and Canada 00 325 REFERENCE BULLETINS : DATE : SMB00 - 323 and SMB00 - 323A YEAR MONTH DAY SERVICE SERVICE WARRANTY 2013 02 15 MANAGER WRITER ADMINISTRATOR Service Personnel : Read and initial Page 1 of 1 Volvo monitors completion rates for all service actions and will complete notification re - mails to vehicle owners when necessary . Listed below are the latest notification re - mails . Please refer to SMB 00 - 323 and SMB 00 - 323A |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation