VOLVO 940 · model year

1994 VOLVO 940

50 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1994VOLVO940 carries 50 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 15 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1994 940 is air bags:frontal with 17 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (5) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 28 investigation files overlapping the 1994 940. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

50
Complaints
15
Crashes
0
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

50 filings

Crashes Reported

15 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL17
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP4
AIR BAGS3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM2
SUSPENSION:FRONT2
TIRES:TREAD/BELT2
SUSPENSION:REAR1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE1
TIRES1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.1

Recent Complaints

20180725AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 VOLVO 940. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE SEAT BELT PANEL AS THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 285,633.

Mileage: 285,633

20130329AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 VOLVO 940. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURY TO THE FACE. THE AIR BAGS ALSO FRACTURED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED FOR THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

Mileage: 152,000

20110802AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 VOLVO 940. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF WHEN THE AIRBAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT WERE UNABLE TO GIVE A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 246,676.

Mileage: 220,000

20100225ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

I WAS SOLD A VOLVO 1994 940 SERIES FROM EAST LAKE AUTO IN ISSAQUAH, WA. A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED AND THE COMPANY PROMISED TO FIX WHATEVER IT WAS INDICATING. I LEFT IT AT THEIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM RELATED TO THE LIGHT, AND THAT IT WAS A FAULTY LIGHT. I DROVE THE CAR FOR THREE YEARS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON. I COMMUTED TO A JOB THAT REQUIRED I BE IN THE CAR FOR OVER THREE HOURS ON MOST DAYS. I MADE A LONG TRIP AND AFTER THAT MY SONS AND I HAVE HAD MANY NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS. THE COMPANY WAS CLOSED DOWN ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO. DUE TO ANOTHER TYPE OF REPAIR, I TOOK THE CAR IN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO BE TESTED FOR A BROKEN WATER PUMP. THE NEW COMPANY TOLD ME THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS WORKING, AND THE CODES IT WAS RELATED TO WERE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH WHEN CHECKED SHOWED CRACKED GASKETS IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD SYSTEM. THE GASKETS SHOWED SIGNS OF HAVING BEEN LEAKING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I HAVE MEANWHILE HAD MANY PHYSICA

Mileage: 180,000

20091009AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 VOLVO 940. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARRANT. SHE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF HER FACE, A BLACK EYE, AND INJURY TO HER CHEST. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND A REPRESENTATIVE WAS COMING OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

Mileage: 132,000

20070806WHEELS:RIM

1994 940 VOLVO SEDAN WITH RIM BLOWOUT PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT TWO RIMS BLEW WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MILES PER HOUR OVER A SMALL POT HOLE**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE WAS NOT DAMAGED. *JB

Mileage: 120,882

20041116TIRES:TREAD/BELT

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH TREAD SEPARATED ON REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND CHANGED THE TIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. BRIDGESTONE, 185/65R15. *AK

Mileage: 165,673

20040924TIRES:TREAD/BELT

WHILE DRIVING A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MICHELIN, MXV4, 195/65R15.*AK

20040924TIRES:SIDEWALL

WHILE DRIVING A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, AND NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MICHELIN, MXV4, 195/65R15.*AK

20040124CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1994 VOLVO 940 SEDAN WAS AT FULL STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (UNEXPLAINED), CAUSING CAR TO CRASH INTO A REGULAR PICKUP TRUCK. BECAUSE OF THE SHORT DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CARS, THE IMPACT WAS NO MORE THAN A 2-2.5 MPH CRASH AS EVIDENCED BY MINOR (REALLY SMALL) BUMPER FASCIA INDENTATION AND NO DAMAGE TO BUMPER SYSTEM WHATSOEVER. SURPRISINGLY, THIS VERY MINOR CRASH RESULTED IN BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING, RESULTING IN SHATTERING THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THIS VERY MINOR CRASH AND THE RESULTING TOTALLY UNNECESSARY AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT ($8 -9,000 + COST TO REPLACE) HAS RESULTED IN THE INSURANCE COMPANY (STATE FARM) DECLARING THE CAR AS A TOTAL LOSS -- ALONG WITH A RELATIVELY LOW FAIR MARKET VALUE (DUE TO THE 189,000 MILES). CAR IS WELL-MAINTAINED WITH A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF ANOTHER 200,000 + MILES (BASED ON A VOLVO 240 I'VE OWNED). *LA

Mileage: 189,000

20040124CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

1994 VOLVO 940 SEDAN WAS AT FULL STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (UNEXPLAINED), CAUSING CAR TO CRASH INTO A REGULAR PICKUP TRUCK. BECAUSE OF THE SHORT DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CARS, THE IMPACT WAS NO MORE THAN A 2-2.5 MPH CRASH AS EVIDENCED BY MINOR (REALLY SMALL) BUMPER FASCIA INDENTATION AND NO DAMAGE TO BUMPER SYSTEM WHATSOEVER. SURPRISINGLY, THIS VERY MINOR CRASH RESULTED IN BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING, RESULTING IN SHATTERING THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THIS VERY MINOR CRASH AND THE RESULTING TOTALLY UNNECESSARY AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT ($8 -9,000 + COST TO REPLACE) HAS RESULTED IN THE INSURANCE COMPANY (STATE FARM) DECLARING THE CAR AS A TOTAL LOSS -- ALONG WITH A RELATIVELY LOW FAIR MARKET VALUE (DUE TO THE 189,000 MILES). CAR IS WELL-MAINTAINED WITH A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF ANOTHER 200,000 + MILES (BASED ON A VOLVO 240 I'VE OWNED). *LA

Mileage: 189,000

20030417SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

SEAT BELT LATCH IS CRACKED. CONTACTED VOLVO BY EMAIL, SAID ITEM NOT UNDER WARRANTY, THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE A SAFETY ISSUE. *NLM

Mileage: 90,000

20020821FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING GAS TANK CRACKED, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

20020514AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DRIVER'S AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH.T DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

20010521STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CONSUMER WAS UNLOADING GROCIERS FROM TRUCK. HYDRAULIC BAR SNAPPED/ FELL DOWN, AND HIT HER IN HEAD.

20010306VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE DEFECT WINDSHIELD WASHER VALVE ALLOWS THE WINDSCREEN WASHING WATER TO SPLIT BETWEEN THE TWO HOOD SPRAYERS, FAILURE ALWAYS COMES DURING RAIN OR SNOW WHEN THE ABILITY TO CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD IS CRITICAL. NLM

20001117CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

20001103VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ALL OF THE PROBLEMS MENTIONED HAVE SHOWN UP DURING MY 2 YEAR PLUS OWNERSHIP OF THIS 1994 VOLVO 940. THE CRUISE CONTROL OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN IT DOES, IF THE CAR GOVES OVER A BUMP, IT KNOCKS OUT; ANTENNA FAILED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, ASSUMED IT WAS THE POWER PACK; THE 4TH GEAR SOMETIMES KICKS OUT ON ITS OWN AT STARTUP AND RUNS IN 3RD, SOMETIMES FOR DAYS, OTHERS/HOURS; ABS BRAKES SOMETIMES SKIP A BEAT (OR IT'S MY HEART) WHEN GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPS WHILE BRAKE PEDAL IS ENGAGED OR ON SLIPPERY SURFACES WHILE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. BIG PROBLEM, NOT SAFETY RELATED, WITH VOLVOS, THEY DROP HUB CAPS READILY AND EASILY!*AK

20001103POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ALL OF THE PROBLEMS MENTIONED HAVE SHOWN UP DURING MY 2 YEAR PLUS OWNERSHIP OF THIS 1994 VOLVO 940. THE CRUISE CONTROL OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN IT DOES, IF THE CAR GOVES OVER A BUMP, IT KNOCKS OUT; ANTENNA FAILED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, ASSUMED IT WAS THE POWER PACK; THE 4TH GEAR SOMETIMES KICKS OUT ON ITS OWN AT STARTUP AND RUNS IN 3RD, SOMETIMES FOR DAYS, OTHERS/HOURS; ABS BRAKES SOMETIMES SKIP A BEAT (OR IT'S MY HEART) WHEN GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPS WHILE BRAKE PEDAL IS ENGAGED OR ON SLIPPERY SURFACES WHILE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. BIG PROBLEM, NOT SAFETY RELATED, WITH VOLVOS, THEY DROP HUB CAPS READILY AND EASILY!*AK

20001103SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ALL OF THE PROBLEMS MENTIONED HAVE SHOWN UP DURING MY 2 YEAR PLUS OWNERSHIP OF THIS 1994 VOLVO 940. THE CRUISE CONTROL OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN IT DOES, IF THE CAR GOVES OVER A BUMP, IT KNOCKS OUT; ANTENNA FAILED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, ASSUMED IT WAS THE POWER PACK; THE 4TH GEAR SOMETIMES KICKS OUT ON ITS OWN AT STARTUP AND RUNS IN 3RD, SOMETIMES FOR DAYS, OTHERS/HOURS; ABS BRAKES SOMETIMES SKIP A BEAT (OR IT'S MY HEART) WHEN GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPS WHILE BRAKE PEDAL IS ENGAGED OR ON SLIPPERY SURFACES WHILE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. BIG PROBLEM, NOT SAFETY RELATED, WITH VOLVOS, THEY DROP HUB CAPS READILY AND EASILY!*AK

Compare 1994VOLVO940 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1994 VOLVO 940 have?
The 1994 VOLVO 940 has 50 NHTSA complaints, 15 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 VOLVO 940?
The most-complained component for the 1994 VOLVO 940 is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL with 17 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP.
Is the 1994 VOLVO 940 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. 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.