1996 Volvo 855
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1996 Volvo 855. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1996 Volvo 855. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
7 complaints1 involved a crash1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Service brakes, electric
The ABS sensor has come on and it IS due to the failure of the ABS control unit. this IS a vary common and serious failure for the volvo 850 and IS a well know to volvo. they offer repair but it IS around $900. *tr
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
My '96 volvo 855 has intermittent ABS failure. The ABS light goes off intermittently. The car has 123,000 miles. After a brief search on the internet I found that this was too common problem with ABS control module. It seems that volvo does not admit it as a systematic problem and there IS no…
My '96 volvo 855 has intermittent ABS failure. The ABS light goes off intermittently. The car has 123,000 miles. After a brief search on the internet I found that this was too common problem with ABS control module. It seems that volvo does not admit it as a systematic problem and there IS no recall campaign (that I know of). Just volvo dealers making a lot of money to diagnose the problem and installing the new ABS control modules. It IS irresponsible to let many volvo cars with either failing ABS system or charge hundreds for the repair of a badly designed system. *la
- Tires
Kumho tire had steel belts showing through the tread after only 29,500 miles
- Service brakes, air › Antilock
Ts
- Air bags › Frontal
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…
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
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
ABS brake system IS not braking the vehicle properly. Brake light would come on/go out at random, and on two occasions the brake would turn to manual braking. Vehicle has been in/out of dealer shop on seven occasions, and condition has not been corrected. Dealer informed consumer that nothing could be found. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Driver side seat belt retractor would not retract properly. Dealer notified, and will not repair unless cost IS to the consumer. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Seat fires
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…
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.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10241661Complimentary upgrade c00009 description.
- 10241651Rubber cushion
- 10213885The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as products and repair methods evolve.
- 10213883ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations
- 10213882Battery Charger/maintainer requirement
- 10212892Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
- 10212891VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
- 608047Information on installing a protective pad on the tailgate outside handle.
Every Volvo 855 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.