1996 Volvo 960 review from North America
"Volvo supposedly has a reputation for safety; this car is NOT safe"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Low mileage (18 mpg)
High maintenance costs.
Dangerous design: This is my most serious concern. There are sensors in the car that have started failing. I have no problem replacing these sensors (several hundred dollars each time I visit the dealership), but when the sensor fails, the car will STOP. You can be driving on the freeway, or in the middle of the intersection, and the car will completely shut down because the main computer isn't receiving the proper signal. The "service engine" light comes on afterward, which is too late to prevent an accident.
Two sensors have failed so far and I am told there are more sensors that will need to be replaced as the car ages. Nothing is wrong with the engine, it's just that these computer chips have been designed to last 50,000 miles and they'll start failing and turning the car off while you're driving. This is extremely unsafe if you're on the freeway.
General comments?
If you plan on keeping the car for 50,000 miles, then that's OK.
If you plan on keeping the car any longer, computer glitches in the sensors can make this car dangerous to drive.
Recommended Reviews:
  | Nice safe luxury car, good engine, though lots of things will break on it |
| A reliable, efficient car, albeit expensive to maintain |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| First year of ownership | 1996 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 1996 |
| Engine and transmission | Automatic |
| Performance marks | 3/10 |
| Reliability marks | 0/10 |
| Comfort marks | 5/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 0/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 3/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 80000 miles |
| Previous car | Volvo 960 |
| Date of Entry | 1st November, 2004 |