1996 Volvo 960 from North America - Comments

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.

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.

Welcome to the computer-stuffed cars! I share your views on the dependability of today (microchip-loaded) vehicles, especially as electronic components become obsolete VERY quickly: what dealership will be able to provide us with replacement electronic parts in some years time?

I agree that this is dangerous, but I can't understand why Volvo would design a car that has these faults, particularly as some Volvo estates manage upto 200,000 miles.

Someone got a lemon!! The thing with a Volvo is that if you get one with a couple of electronic faults, chances are the components need to all be replaced rather than "repaired" because they are never going to function together correctly. I've seen this problem with many other makes, by the way. On a Honda, IF something breaks, it is better to throw that component away and buy a new replacement because they are difficult cars to bring back if they get in a bad way. All things considered though, Volvo and Honda and other equal brands do make good cars and I would not be scared to own any of them.

I have never heard of a Volvo 960 stopping because of sensor failure - I think something else must be up. I have two 960's Estates (one with 181,000 miles and one with 186,000 miles) and neither of them have just 'stopped'. I would fully recommend these cars for anyone doing high miles!

I can attest first-hand to owning/driving a Volvo that would suddenly shut-off no matter the driving conditions or speed. My trouble was with a '93 940 turbo sedan. It would let me drive for 5-10min. then suddenly cut-off and wouldn't restart for several minutes. It did this to me at a traffic light, then again after merging onto the highway, and various other times. Eventually it cut-off while going up a hill in a neighborhood and refused to start. I ended up having it towed to my trusty Volvo mechanic. Guess what the cause was? A speed sensor! I have never had that issue on any past vehicle. He replaced that sensor and the stalling problem was gone for good. Otherwise it was a fantastic car.

Hi, I haven't experienced the vehicle stopping at random because of Volvo's problem. Here in New Zealand half of the Volvo 960's 850's etc with the sensors were made immobile for what seemed like no reason. This was because although the fuel was the right grades (91 regular, 95/96 Premium or 97/98 Super, depending on what gas station you go to) it was either poorly refined or it was half stale or was contaminated. So for several weeks Volvo was very very busy. Maybe this will explain your problem.

And maybe mine is different as it's only a 2.5L version, but I get 25-27MPG typically and I'm a young male driver!

And you Americans have cheap cheap fuel anyways, what you pay for a gallon we don't even get 2 litres! So maybe your fuel is rotten - that could explain the lousy MPG and the sensors deciding something isn't right, and thus stopping the vehicle to stop major damage (yes it's also an irony from that safety aspect!)

Oh and sorry to add to that, The emissions light came on for a week and then went away after I filled the tank right to the top (didn't help that I had a very important meeting and I ran it out of gas driving it like a porsche less than a mile from where I was going - phew!). The winter mode light on the dash has come on flashing and the E S W economy sports winter butons by the gearshift were also flashing, twice they made the veichle drive only in second gear, and one the lights came on, but it shifted normally. Thanks.

Amazing luxury and comfort, cozy lumbar support, which is great for long highway drives, incredible safety.

Strong built cars with powerful engines that last forever (The Guinness record is ONE MILLION miles on a Volvo).

Beautiful smooth driving, incredible "U" turn range, the best quality sound equipment, all instruments at hand.

A very reliable vehicle in all aspects, not cheap to fix at dealers though, I fix somethings myself, getting original lower price parts on Internet, way cheap compared to the dealer. Even if it is expensive to fix at the dealer, the car pays itself (be sure to find a good expert mechanic for Volvos).

I have owned more than 30 cars while living in 3 different countries, and I reassure you that for the price, I have never driven such comfortable cars as the Volvo 960 and as the luxury Mercedes; there have been times that I have looked and driven other good vehicles just to see if I could try another vehicle, and still haven't been able to find one that drives like a 960 Volvo.

Sweden steel is the best and strongest in the world; the reason why Volvos are great.

The only thing I do not like is driving on the snow, so I am looking for an AWD (4WD) Volvo. In the meanwhile I LOVE my 960 Volvo, one of the greatest and most comfortable cars in the world.

Guinness record is 2,600,000 ++ miles on a Volvo. The car is p1800 and belongs to a guy named Irv Gordon.

Thanks for updating, over 2 million!!!, so be it!!! one more argument to confirm this wonderful automobiles:1996-960.

But he does not own a 960. He owns a 1960's P1800. Not every engine made by Volvo is the same as his, so why do you assume yours will last as long? Volvo longevity seems to be restricted to the earlier 4 cylinder motors that were old fashioned, but strong.

It's true that it is a different engine, but the 6 cylinder is still strong. I have three 960's and all of them have done over 150,000 miles without problems. Anyhow, why not let owners think there car will last? Toyota owners seem to generalise the range (did you know that EVERY Toyota ever built will NEVER give any problems whatsoever? - sarcasm) without problem or question - so why not Volvo owners???