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.
The worst 1996 Volvo 855 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes4
- Airbags1
- Seat belts1
- Tires1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes4
- Airbags1
- Seat belts1
- Tires1
Recalls 2
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler
- What is wrong
- 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
- 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.
Recall number 02V314000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- 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
- 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.
Recall number 96V199000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Volvo 855
Defect investigations
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 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.
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Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Volvo 855 8
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Complimentary upgrade C00009 description.
- Rubber cushion
- The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as...
- ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations
- Vida qr
- Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
- Battery Charger/maintainer requirement
- Information on installing a protective pad on the tailgate outside handle. tt
What 1996 Volvo 855 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Kumho tire had steel belts showing through the tread after only 29,500 miles
Ts
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.
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.
Driver side seat belt retractor would not retract properly. Dealer notified, and will not repair unless cost is to the consumer.
Compare the 1996 Volvo 855
Other model years
Questions about the 1996 Volvo 855
Is the 1996 Volvo 855 reliable?
Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 1996 Volvo 855, 2.3 times a typical 855 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Volvo 855?
Brakes, with 4 complaints. Next is airbags (1).
How many recalls does the 1996 Volvo 855 have?
2 recalls, covering seats and vehicle speed control.
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