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Vehicle safety record

1997 Volvo 960 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 1997 Volvo 960 with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (7) and the airbags (4). Those complaints describe 5 crashes and 3 injuries. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 1996 has 60.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical 960 year, for its age

#122 most complained-about 1997 vehicle

Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Deaths
0

Most common 1997 Volvo 960 problems

Share of all 25 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 1997 Volvo 960

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Volvo 960. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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25 complaints about the 1997 Volvo 960

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Fuel system

Smelled fuel in engine compartment,opened hood and found a leaking fuel injection supply rail. Leak stems from the end cap used on fuel rail towards the front of the engine near the thermostat housing and proceeds to drip vigorously down towards the intake manifold before evaporating and dripping down onto lower part of the engine and finally the ground. I have found several comments in the internet forums related to this possible defect in the manufacturing of this part stating that the leak is located in the end...

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cap of the fuel rail, and volvo has a re engineered fuel rail that eliminates the leaking end cap and is currently offering this re engineered part as a replacement at a normal retail labor and parts rate. Since modern vehicles are designed to operate beyond the traditional mileage of 100k , the general public is not expecting to have such a safety hazard present itself by a failing fuel rail end cap, in addition the volvo owners manual does not recommend any maintenance of the fuel rail at any specific mileage thus misleading the public by the omission that such a part should be replaced before failure occurs. In addition volvo has re engineered the part and is currently profiting from the safety hazard that this fuel rail has created. Volvo has in the past and currently advertised itself as reliable and safe, thus creating a certain expectation of high safety standards and high safety ratings, and volvo should (in keeping with it's public image) at it's own expense remedy this problem by conducting a vehicle safety improvement campaign such as nissan motor co. Has done in the past(nhtsa campaign id number: 95i006000) to prevent any possible injuries that may result from leaking fuel systems that have not been altered or modified by current or previous owners and reimburse those that have already replaced the leaking fuel rails at their own expense. *Tr

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10445680
Engine & coolingFuel system

The leaking fuel rail spurts gasoline onto the hot automobile engine, causing gasoline fumes in the passenger compartment and is potentially dangerous. There is risk of fire due to this hazard. Volvo dealers are aware that this problem exists. I have contacted volvo na customer care but they have not provided an acceptable response. This complaint is an addendum to a previous complaint by another volvo car owner. Please see nhtsa reference # 10378366. *Kb

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10437777
Engine & cooling

Customer 1997 volvo 960 engine failed due to timing belt pulley failure. **Cc the entire engine had to be replaced because a head bolt had seized in the engine block. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10181621
Seats & seat belts

Driver side seat belt will not retract out of the retractor. This c leaves the driver without any restraint if involved in a crash. Dealer was notified.*Ak

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 10103877
Engine & cooling

Check engine light came on then low coolant light. Suddenly lost power due to engine failure. It seized up due to overheating. Temperature gauge never registered hot. Radiator neck broke off at neck causing lost of coolant. Engine ruined. Dealer will not replace claiming thermostat stuck even though they couldn't prove this. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10064444
Steering

The center steering wheel cover has a sticky residue when touched and is difficult to wash off. The consumers eyes become irritated and skin is itchy. *Scc

Filed SteeringNHTSA 567631
Wheels & tires

Left front tire went flat due to separation of side wall. Other two tires are beginning to crack. Size 195/60r15,dot#fudachyx276. *Ak the other two tires had to be replaced due to the inspection showing steel from the belts were coming through the side walls. The tires are michelin mxv4. *Jg

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 8010839
AirbagsCrash1 injury

Consumer was involved in a collision, and airbags did not deploy. Vehicle hit a tree, and had frontal impact. Consumer sustained injuries. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated vehicle had preformed up to standard. *Ak

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 898235
AirbagsCrash1 injury

Consumer had an accident during rain storm and air bags did not deploy. Hit tree with frontal impact. Contacted volvo, and volvo replied that vehicle performed the way it should had. *Ak

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 897876
Brakes

Volvo dealer, under warranty replaced all 4 disc brake rotors & pads due to warping of rotors & resulting vibration when slowing down from 65 mph to 50 mph on highway. This work was done on 11/14/00 at 39,024 miles on the car. It is now 6/29/01 and the car only has 43,500 miles on it, ie. Only 4,500 additional miles on it. This has not been a problem on our other cars, so it should not be attributed to driver error or other driver-related characteristics. In fact, we get very good brake wear and durability on...

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our others cars with the same drivers. In the april, 2001 issue of consumer reports magazine, this car for the 1997 model year received the worst available rating for the brakes relative to frequency of repairs from owner surveys conducted by the magazine. I strongly believe that this vibration due to disc rotor warpage can lead to further damage in the braking system and ultimately cause a safety related failure. I would like to be contacted to discuss this further and to inquire if you have found this to be a problem on other volvo 960's of similar vintage as consumer reports has found and also as I have personally found to be the case. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 747584
Engine & cooling

With no indication of overheating the engine overheated and was destroyed. The only idiot light to come on was the check engine light and that was after black smoke was coming from the engine. The temperature gauge never registered outside of the normal range and no other warning lights were activated. The engine needs to be replaced according to volvo but this is not covered under my extended warranty because they state it does not matter that the gauges malfunctioned and they can not be tested anyway because the car can not be started.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Unknown or otherNHTSA 747100
Engine & cooling

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 743541
Brakes

While driving at any speed vehicle will not stop. Had to pull emergency brake to stop vehicle. Dealer did not help consumer. Please add additional information. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 875493
AirbagsCrash

Vehicle rear ended a truck at 50mph, and neither driver's side nor passenger's side airbag deployed. Vehicle was totaled. *Ak

Filed Air bagsNHTSA 856837
Acceleration & cruise control

As soon the hand brake was released the vehicle accilerated forward at a high speed on its own and was only stopped by crashing into wall. Yh

Filed Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 549107
Seats & seat belts

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED. *YC

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 607529
Seats & seat belts

Driver seat blocks rear vision, due to design height. Yh

Filed SeatsNHTSA 606006
Fuel system

The consumer has been experiencing problems with fuel injection system while driving. Consumer previously taken vehicle into the repair shop four times for the same problem, a leak in the injection system. The manufactuter has been contacted. *Ak

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 829938
Engine & cooling

A piece of plastic foil dropped off and flew back at 75mph from the bottom of vehicle with no indication, the air handling system that scoops the air is where the piece came from. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 826187
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash

After putting vehicle into reverse , the throttle stuck, causing vehicle to accelerate, resulting in a collision. *Ak

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 822144
AirbagsCrash1 injury

AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING CRASH.

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 529693
Wheels & tires

Tires blew out when vehicle went over a pothole/small ditch in the road.

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 538598
Engine & cooling

VEHICLE SURGES WHILE DRIVING.

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 521760
Acceleration & cruise control

Flap in throttle stuck in open position, causing sudden acceleration.

Filed Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 520491
Brakes

BRAKES FAILED.

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 512233

Volvo 960: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
199725050Engine & coolingC
199660081BrakesF
1995571115Engine & coolingF
199419032AirbagsC
19937020Seats & seat beltsA
All 960 years

1997 Volvo 960 vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
1997 Volvo 9602505C
1997 Volvo 85012137CCompare
1997 Volvo S90702CCompare
1997 Volvo S70400ACompare
1997 Volvo 940100ACompare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 1997 Volvo 960

Does the 1997 Volvo 960 have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 Volvo 960 right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Volvo 960?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (7), airbags (4), brakes (3).

How many complaints has the 1997 Volvo 960 had?

25 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on December 4, 1996 and the latest on January 28, 2012. Of these, 5 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 3 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1997 Volvo 960 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 40 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Volvo 960 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Volvo 960 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1997 Volvo 960 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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