RoadVitals

1993 Volvo 940

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Aug 13, 2007
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 28, 1993
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
10
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Volvo 940, most frequently naming the airbags, driver assistance and tires & wheels categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 68 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags520.0%
  • Driver assistance520.0%
  • Tires & wheels312.0%
  • Brakes312.0%
  • Fuel system28.0%
  • Electrical28.0%
  • Interior & seats14.0%
  • Suspension14.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
93V074000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Apr 28, 1993
1,864 units potentially affected
The defect: PLASTIC HOOD INSULATION CLIP(S) WAS(WERE) INADVERTENTLY DROPPED INTO THE HOSE BETWEEN THE CHARGE AIR COOLER AND THE THROTTLE HOUSING WHICH CAN INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE OPERATION.
The risk: IF A PLASTIC CLIP MOVES TOWARD THE THROTTLE HOUSING ITCAN BECOME LODGED THERE AND PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO IDLE. LOSS OFTHROTTLE CONTROL CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: CHECK FOR INSULATION CLIPS IN THE HOSE BETWEEN THE CHARGE AIR COOLER AND THE THROTTLE HOUSING, AND REMOVE IF FOUND.
VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA94015ClosedEngineering Analysis

INADVERT. AIR BAG DEPLOYS

Opened Apr 20, 1994
Closed Oct 12, 1994

There is no summary currently available

AIR BAGSLed to recall 94V185000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 23
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 13, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 VOLVO 940. THE VEHICLE HAS DUNLOP TIRES, SIZE P205/60R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VALVE STEMS ON THREE OUT OF THE FOUR TIRES WERE BAD AND CAUSED THE TIRES TO FLATTEN. HE STATED THAT THE TIRES HAD ONLY BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR SIX MONTHS, WHEN DURING THE COURSE OF ONE WEEK, THE VALVE STEM FAILED ON THREE DIFFERENT TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF THE DOT NUMBER (P072ARO OR CR54606-2). THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, ENGINE SIZE, AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 128,000.

NHTSA ID
10199382
Incident
Jul 25, 2007
Mileage
128,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 13, 2005

IN JANUARY 2002 WE PURCHASED A SET OF 4 DUNLOP WINTER SPORT M2 SNOW TIRES 205/55R16 FOR A VOLVO 940 TURBO SEDAN. WE HAVE HAD 3 SIDEWALL FAILURES OF THESE SNOW TIRES RUNNING ONLY 5700 MILES, WITH 2 ACTIVE BLOWOUTS & 1 LARGE SIDEWALL BLISTER. TIRES WERE USED ONLY IN WINTER. THERE IS HARDLY ANY WEAR ON THE TREADS. THE FIRST TIRE FAILED 13APR02 AT 3000 MI (DOT CODE 3400), ITS REPLACEMENT 12JAN04 AFTER 500 MI (DOT CODE 3702), & THE LATEST FAILED 1DEC05 AT 5700 MILES (DOT CODE 3400).. A DUNLOP-GOODYEAR INSPECTOR @ CONDUIT TIRE, BROOKLYN, STATED THIS WAS SIMPLY ROAD HAZARD DAMAGE, WHICH WAS NOT COVERED WITHOUT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HE REFUSED ANY DAMAGE RESPONSIBILITY. HE ALSO STATED HE DISLIKES ALL SNOW TIRES & REFUSES TO SELL ANY. A WARRANTY WOULD DO US LITTLE GOOD, AS IT EXPIRES AFTER 3 YEARS, REGARDLESS OF HOW LITTLE USE THE TIRES GOT.. WE DRIVE IN THE NY CITY METRO AREA, A HOME TO POTHOLES. HOWEVER, OVER 35 YEARS OF DRIVING ON THESE SAME ROADS, WE HAVE WORN THROUGH MANY SUMMER & SNOW TIRES, WITH NO SIDEWALL FAILURES, EXCEPT FOR THESE DUNLOP WINTER SPORT M2 TIRES. PREVIOUSLY WE DROVE KLABEAR & BLIZZARD SNOW TIRES WITH NO PROBLEMS, & WE HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH VARIOUS DUNLOP SPORT SUMMER/ALL WEATHER TIRES THAT PROVIDED EXCELLENT RIDE & WEAR WITH NO FAILURES. OUR SUMMER TIRES ARE DUNLOP SP SPORT 5000 205/55WR16, WITH 3 TIMES THE MILES USED AS THE SNOW TIRES, ON THE SAME ROADS, SAME CAR.. THERE IS NO REASON WHY 3 WINTER SPORT TIRES SHOULD FAIL AFTER A VERY SHORT DISTANCE, WHEN DRIVEN ON EXACTLY THE SAME ROADS IN THE SAME WAY AS OTHER BRANDS, OVER MUCH LONGER DISTANCES, THAT NEVER FAILED. WE HAVE SELECTED A BRIDGESTONE BLIZZAK LM-25 SNOW TIRE TO REPLACE THE DUNLOP WINTER SPORT. AFTER THESE 3 FAILURES, WE WILL NEVER USE A DUNLOP SNOW TIRE AGAIN.. WE URGE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE A MAJOR SYSTEMIC DEFECT IN DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE IN THESE DUNLOP WINTER SPORT M2 SNOW TIRES IN THE 205/55R16 SIZE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10145136
Incident
Dec 1, 2005
Mileage
103,234 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 17, 2002

WHILE PUMPING FUEL INTO VEHICLE, FUEL WOULD SPILL FROM TOP OF FUEL TANK AND PUDDLE UNDER VEHICLE. FUEL TANK AND HOSES/FITTINGS WERE INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDANT GARAGE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A 3 INCH SPLIT TO FUEL OVERFLOW HOSE ON MAIN HOSE CONNECTING FUEL FILLER TO FUEL TANK MAIN HOSE REPLACED. DT

NHTSA ID
769816
Incident
Oct 15, 2002
Filed Sep 12, 2002

INSULATION IS DETERIORATING AND BLOWS THROUGH THE VENTS WHEN IN USE. INSULATION HAS OIL MIXED IN IT AND GETS ON INDIVIDUAL'S HAIR AND CLOTHING IF THEY ARE SITTING IN THE FRONT OF THE VENTS. OWNER HAS CONTACTED DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT INSULATION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
8018545
Electrical
Filed Feb 21, 2002
Fire reported

THE CAR WAS STATIONED IN MY HOUSE DRIVE-WAY AND WAS DESTROYED BY AN SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK

NHTSA ID
758460
Airbags
Filed Aug 1, 2001

VOLVO DEALER REPRESENTED STATED SRS CRASH SENSOR WAS NOT UNDER ANY WARRANTY. *AK

NHTSA ID
749531
Incident
Apr 11, 2001
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 14, 2000

A GOODYEAR EAGLE GTR4 TIRE (P185 65 R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, WHEN THE TIRE SEPARATED, DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE VEHICLE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
558126
Incident
Sep 3, 2000
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 12, 2000

CAR STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. DEPRESSED GAS PEDAL TO MOVE FORWARD. CAR ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED WITH GAS PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED. TURNED OFF ENGINE IGNITION, GAS PEDAL REMAINED FULLY DEPRESSED. CAR TOWED TO VOLVO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSES AND REPAIR.*AK

NHTSA ID
736186
Incident
Oct 29, 2000

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

356EN01

EQUIPMENT

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Service Manager

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)

ST-001-2020-09-1

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.

ST-001-2020-06-2

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.

ST-001-2020-01-2

EQUIPMENT

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.

TJ31946.1.2-2019

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the vehicle. Swapping the Driver Information Module (DIM) is strictly forbidden as the DIM it is the main carrier of the odometer function, and will, in case of swapping, result in manipulated odometer value. Service: Please do NOT swap any control modules from vehicle to vehicle for testing, unless instructed to do so in a Vehicle Report by the Technical Helpdesk

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volvo 940 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1998200—
1997100—
1996000—
1995270152.1
1994410152.2
1993Viewing231157.1
1992160143.8
1991112263.3
1990101—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.