Total Complaints
50 filings
VOLVO 940 · model year
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.
Total Complaints
50 filings
Crashes Reported
15 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 17 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 4 |
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 2 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 1 |
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING GAS TANK CRACKED, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
DRIVER'S AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH.T DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CONSUMER WAS UNLOADING GROCIERS FROM TRUCK. HYDRAULIC BAR SNAPPED/ FELL DOWN, AND HIT HER IN HEAD.
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
VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
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
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
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
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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.