1996 Volvo 960 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 12%of 60 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 159,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1996 Volvo 960, 12% of the 60 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 159,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Twice, in my 1996 Volvo 960, I experienced sudden acceleration. In both circumstances I was on a highway and it was late at night. I was unable to slow my car down in order to take an exit ramp. I eventually put the car in neutral and turned it off. I was able to stop the car safely, but these were the most frightening driving experiences of my life. After the first incident, my dealership replaced the accelerator cable (which appeared normal) and replaced my brakes (which I destroyed trying to stop the car). …”
NHTSA complaint #10068338, filed 2004-05, 159,000 miles“I am the owner of a 1996 Volvo 960. I am writing because of a terrifying experience I had with 3 friends while driving on a trip from new york to ohio. Our trip began on friday, september 3 at 3:00. I had just had the vehicle serviced at bay ridge Volvo two evenings before. One problem they corrected was a rough idle I had when starting the car. They told me the throttle plate was sticking a little, so they unstuck it. I had picked up the car on thursday, and just drove it home. …”
NHTSA complaint #711447, filed 1999-09“While driving on highway at 55mph on cruise control, came to a sharp curve and applied brakes. Trying to reduce speed, vehicle lurched forward/faster and hit the curve sign. Upon impact, neither front air bags nor side air bags deployed. Contacted manufacturer.”
NHTSA complaint #861584, filed 2000-05“Upon starting, then placing into drive gear, suddenly vehicle accelerated full throttle out of control, ABS would't allow to brake, then suddenly stopped on it's own, mfr instructed dealer to disconnect coolant sensor.”
NHTSA complaint #808290, filed 1997-01“Fast idle doing cold start; upon putting foot on brake to shift gears, brake pedal drops, allowing right tip of driver's foot to hit accelerator and vehicle jumps backwards when shiftiing into reverse.”
NHTSA complaint #519162, filed 1997-09Related service bulletins
- 10157889Feb 14, 2019This is a Technical Journal: When sensitive information, like vehicle speed, brake usage, etc. (customer behavoiur information) of a car is required from Volvo Car Corporation…
Vehicle speed control: other model years
Other parts of the 1996 Volvo 960
12 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Volvo 960
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology