1994 Volvo 960 Problems
- Complaints
- 19filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 2.9L 6-cyl RWD · 15 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1994 Volvo 960 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1994 Volvo 960. The part named most often is air bags, with 4 complaints (21% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and engine cooling (3). Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 96 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags4 21%
- Brakes3 16%
- Engine cooling3 16%
- Electrical system2 11%
- Fuel system2 11%
- Exterior lighting1 5.3%
- Seats1 5.3%
- Steering1 5.3%
- Body and structure1 5.3%
Also reported: Tires (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “False deployment of air bag during minor low speed collision which caused no damage to exterior of vehicle, however interior of vehicle damaged badly by violent deployment of air bag.”
NHTSA complaint #543137, filed 1998-12Brakes: “August 1995 car was returned to dealer as brakes were noisy and brake pedal was mushy. Front and rear brake pads were replaced. Vehicle mileage - 14349. September, 1996 the brake pedal was again traveling too far down accompanied by vibration. Rear brake rotors and pads were replaced. Mileage - 34875. December 1996 when attempting to stop at stoplight in 45 MPH zone on dry pavement the brake pedal went to floor accompanied by loud grinding and vibration. Car traveled through light. Dealer could not duplicate, no repairs performed. Mileage - 39021. …”
NHTSA complaint #711154, filed 2000-04Electrical system: “When trying to use the horn, it failed to work properly. Also, transmission had developed a crack, and the oil line to transmission had a hole in it. This caused the oil to leak. Finally, brake lights went out. Took to dealer to have transmission & horn repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #834960, filed 1999-02Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1994 Volvo 960 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 960 RWD | 2.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 960 Wagon RWD | 2.9L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1994 Volvo 960 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 96 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10241661Jul 21, 2023Other or unknown, Electronic stability control. Complimentary upgrade c00009 description.
- 10241651Jun 12, 2023Other or unknown. Rubber cushion
- 10213885May 12, 2022Other or unknown. The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as products and repair methods evolve.
- 10213883May 6, 2022Other or unknown, Equipment. ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations
- 10212891Feb 9, 2022Equipment. VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
- 10212892Feb 3, 2022Electrical system, Equipment. Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
- 10181041Sep 18, 2020Equipment. 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…
- 10179681Aug 5, 2020Electrical system. This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Service 2.0 Software & Total Upgrade Reminder
- 10178503Jul 2, 2020Equipment. 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…
- 10213882Jun 23, 2020Electrical system, Other or unknown. Battery Charger/maintainer requirement
Other model years of the Volvo 960
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 20 | 100,765 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 60 | 114,000 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 57 | 99,491 | 1 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 19 | — | 0 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 7 | 146,500 | 0 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 21 | 24,000 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1994 Volvo 960 have?
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1994 Volvo 960 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1994 Volvo 960 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 4 complaints (21% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 1994 Volvo 960 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1994 Volvo 960 get?
The EPA rates the 1994 Volvo 960 (960, 2.9L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.