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1996 Volvo 855

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
7Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
19946
19957
19963
1997
Compare all 855 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Air Bags
1Seat Belts
1Service Brakes, Air
1Service Brakes, Electric
1
All reported categories
Tires
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 3 of 7 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 1999
Air BagsCrashInjury

IN THE FIRST ACCIDENT THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND REAR ENDED AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND DRIVEN IN THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE SUSTAINED 13000 DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND TO THE REAR. THE AIRBAGS ( BOTH FRONT AND SIDE, DID NOT DEPLOY). ONE YEAR LATER THE SAME SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED I…

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IN THE FIRST ACCIDENT THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND REAR ENDED AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND DRIVEN IN THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE SUSTAINED 13000 DOLLARS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND TO THE REAR. THE AIRBAGS ( BOTH FRONT AND SIDE, DID NOT DEPLOY). ONE YEAR LATER THE SAME SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SECOND "NEAR HEAD ON" COLLISION AND THE AIR BAGS (BOTH) FAILED TO DEPLOY AGAIN. IN BOTH CRASHES TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVES FROM VOLVO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #716451

Official recalls

2

02V314000 · Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

Nov 19, 2002

ON SOME SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH SEAT HEATERS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT EXCESSIVE COMPRESSION OF THE SEAT CUSHION COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING OF THE SEAT HEATER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL DISCONNECT THE EXISTING WIRES AND INSTALL A NEW ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT AND CABLE HARNESS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

96V199000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Oct 11, 1996

THE SCREWS WHICH ATTACH THE THROTTLE PLATE TO ITS AXLE (SHAFT) CAN LOOSEN ALLOWING THE THROTTLE PLATE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE THROTTLE HOUSING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE POSITION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE HOUSING.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA02019 · Seat Fires

Opened Aug 22, 2002 · Closed Dec 18, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

VOLVO IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION DEVELOPED DURING ITS INVESTIGATION.VOLVO'SSURVEY OF VEHICLES ROUTINELY BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT EAST-COAST DEALERSHIPS PRODUCED EVIDENCE THAT BARE METAL WIRES (THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BOTTOM) CAN CONTACT THE THERMOSTAT AND ELECTRICAL WIRESIN OR BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION.THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.VOLVO CONFIRMED IN TESTING THAT IF SUCH A CONDITION IS PRESENT, THE SHORT TO THE WIRE SEAT SUPPORT COULD CAUSE BURNING OF THE SEAT CUSHION WITHOUT ACTIVATING (OPENING) THE SEAT HEATER FUSE.VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY WITH AN ELECTRONIC TIMER DELAY UNIT.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

VOLVO IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION DEVELOPED DURING ITS INVESTIGATION.VOLVO'SSURVEY OF VEHICLES ROUTINELY BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT EAST-COAST DEALERSHIPS PRODUCED EVIDENCE THAT BARE METAL WIRES (THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BOTTOM) CAN CONTACT THE THERMOSTAT AND ELECTRICAL WIRESIN OR BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION.THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.VOLVO CONFIRMED IN TESTING THAT IF SUCH A CONDITION IS PRESENT, THE SHORT TO THE WIRE SEAT SUPPORT COULD CAUSE BURNING OF THE SEAT CUSHION WITHOUT ACTIVATING (OPENING) THE SEAT HEATER FUSE.VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY WITH AN ELECTRONIC TIMER DELAY UNIT.

Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

VOLVO IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON ITS ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION DEVELOPED DURING ITS INVESTIGATION.VOLVO'SSURVEY OF VEHICLES ROUTINELY BROUGHT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT EAST-COAST DEALERSHIPS PRODUCED EVIDENCE THAT BARE METAL WIRES (THAT PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE SEAT BOTTOM) CAN CONTACT THE THERMOSTAT AND ELECTRICAL WIRESIN OR BENEATH THE SEAT CUSHION.THIS CAN RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.VOLVO CONFIRMED IN TESTING THAT IF SUCH A CONDITION IS PRESENT, THE SHORT TO THE WIRE SEAT SUPPORT COULD CAUSE BURNING OF THE SEAT CUSHION WITHOUT ACTIVATING (OPENING) THE SEAT HEATER FUSE.VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY WITH AN ELECTRONIC TIMER DELAY UNIT.