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VOLVO · vehicle model

VOLVO 420

2 NHTSA complaints and 0 safety recalls across model years 1994–1999.

Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Model years
2

The VOLVO420 appears in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database with 2 consumer safety complaints and 0 recall campaigns across 2 model years (1994–1999). That averages roughly 1 complaint per model year. Report counts can differ between model years for many reasons; this dataset does not establish the cause of a difference.

Complaint volume on a nameplate alone is not a reliability verdict: a long-running bestseller can accumulate more filings than a low-volume niche model because more vehicles are on the road. The table below shows report counts and published NHTSA crash-test ratings side by side for each model year.

NHTSA has 28 investigation files tied to this model. Investigation records, complaint reports, and recall campaigns each provide different context. Use the official NHTSA VIN lookup and the underlying notices to research a specific vehicle; PlainCars does not infer a vehicle-risk or pricing conclusion from these records.

Complaints by Year

YearComplaints
19991
19941

Compare VOLVO420 to Similar Vehicles

VOLVO420 vs VOLVOFE7 → VOLVO420 vs VOLVOTD365 → VOLVO420 vs VOLVOC70N → VOLVO420 vs VOLVOS60I →

NHTSA Investigations

AQ18005Audit QueryClosed2018-10-22

Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting

DP15006Defect PetitionClosed2015-09-28

Ride Quality

PE13005Preliminary EvaluationClosed2013-03-18

Windshield Wiper Failures

RQ11001Recall QueryClosed2011-05-23

Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding

PE10025Preliminary EvaluationClosed2010-07-20

Central Electronic Module Failure

PE09039Preliminary EvaluationClosed2009-08-31

FUEL PUMP LEAK

EA09003Engineering AnalysisClosed2009-01-15

Drag Link Failure

PE07046Preliminary EvaluationClosed2007-09-14

SAF HOLLAND FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY

PE06054Preliminary EvaluationClosed2006-11-16

INOPERABLE TAIL LIGHTS

PE06053Preliminary EvaluationClosed2006-11-15

FUEL PUMP LEAKAGE

View all 28 investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the VOLVO 420?▼
The VOLVO 420 has received 2 NHTSA complaints spanning model years 1994 to 1999, with 0 recalls. That averages about 1 complaints per model year.
What years of VOLVO 420 are available?▼
PlainCars has complaint and recall data for the VOLVO 420 from 1994 to 1999 (2 model years). Select any year to see component-level complaint breakdowns and safety ratings.
Does the VOLVO 420 have safety ratings?▼
NHTSA safety ratings (NCAP 5-star program) are available for many VOLVO 420 model years from 2011 onward. Select a specific year to see front crash, side crash, and rollover ratings where available.
What are the most common VOLVO 420 complaints?▼
NHTSA complaints for the VOLVO 420 are categorized by component, common areas include engine, transmission, electrical system, airbags, and brakes. Select a model year for a detailed component-by-component breakdown.
How do I check if my VOLVO 420 has been recalled?▼
Visit the year-specific page on PlainCars to see all recalls for your model year, or enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov for official recall status and available remedies.
Data sources

Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.

Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. VOLVO 420 totals are aggregated from the linked NHTSA model-year rows; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.