RoadVitals

1994 Volvo 940 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
41
Latest Jul 25, 2018
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.
11
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Jan 6, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 41 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Volvo 940. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 41 · page 1 of 2

Airbags
Filed Jul 25, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11113516
Incident
Jul 22, 2018
Mileage
285,633 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 29, 2013
1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10504983
Incident
Mar 23, 2013
Mileage
152,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 2, 2011

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.

NHTSA ID
10416762
Incident
Jun 2, 2010
Mileage
220,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 25, 2010
3 injuries reported

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 PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS I HAD BEEN GOING TO DOCTORS FOR AND FOUND OUT THAT I HAD BEEN EXPOSED TO CARBON MONOXIDE AT CHRONIC HIGH LEVEL. THE CAR WAS FIXED, AND I AM STILL HAVING MANY PHYSICAL PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10314175
Incident
Feb 10, 2010
Mileage
180,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 9, 2009
1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10286905
Incident
Oct 1, 2009
Mileage
132,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 3, 2007

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

NHTSA ID
10199159
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Mileage
120,882 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 16, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10101054
Incident
Sep 20, 2004
Mileage
165,673 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 24, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10094305
Incident
Sep 24, 2004
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Jan 24, 2004
Crash reported

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

NHTSA ID
10054804
Incident
Jan 12, 2004
Mileage
189,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Apr 17, 2003

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

NHTSA ID
10016140
Incident
Mar 5, 2003
Mileage
90,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 21, 2002

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

NHTSA ID
8016892
Incident
Jul 26, 2002
Airbags
Filed May 14, 2002

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

NHTSA ID
8009769
Incident
May 10, 2002
Body & structure
Filed May 21, 2001
1 injury reported

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

NHTSA ID
888801
Incident
May 18, 2001
Visibility
Filed Feb 7, 2001

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

NHTSA ID
559508
Airbags
Filed Nov 17, 2000
Crash reported

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

NHTSA ID
875156
Incident
Oct 16, 2000
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Nov 1, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported

AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. CAR STOPPED AT LIGHT. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF BRAKE AND CAR IMPACTED AT LOW SPEED CAR IN FRONT ALSO STOPED AT LIGHT. NO DAMAGE TO VAN IN FRONT, SMALL SILVER DOLLAR SIZE DENT IN FRONT BUMPER 1/4 INCH DEEP (EST.) AIRBAG BROKE WINDSHIELD AND SEATBELT WAS ACTIVATE AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT.*AK

NHTSA ID
735583
Incident
Oct 24, 2000
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed Nov 1, 2000

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

NHTSA ID
735573
Incident
May 1, 2000
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 18, 2000

CONSUMER WAS WAITING WITH ENGINE ON AND FOOT ON BRAKES WHEN VEHICLE STARTED TO SURGE/ ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT BOTH FOOT ON BRAKES WITH GREAT FORCE , AND VEHICLE STARTED TO CREEP FOWARD, AND WOULD NOT STOP. ABS BRAKES KICKED IN. CONSUMER HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK, AND TURN OFF IGNITION.*AK

NHTSA ID
870781
Incident
Sep 16, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 15, 2000

ON 2 OCCASIONS (10/96/ AND 8/00), I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER DURING THE ANNUAL INSPECTION, THAT THERE WAS A BUBBLE ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE, NOT VISIBLE TO THE EYE. IN OCTOBER 1996, I HAD TO REPLACE THE RIM AS WELL AS THE TIRE. IN AUGUST, THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A BUBBLE ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE HOWEVER I DID NOT HAVE TO REPLACE THE RIM BUT ONLY THE TIRE. UPON CALLING GOODYEAR, THEY WANTED ME TO SEND THE TIRES TO THEM AS THEY WERE OUT OF WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM THOUGH IS THAT IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM (A BUBBLE) WITH THE SAME TIRE EACH WITH VERY LITTLE MILEAGE ON THEM. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 185/65/R15 )

NHTSA ID
731536
Incident
Oct 1, 1996
Airbags
Filed Jul 6, 2000

ARIBAG SENSOR HAS FAILED AT 49,000 MILES, CAUSING AIRBAGS TO BE INOPERATIVE IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ID
864848
Suspension
Filed Apr 29, 2000

THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. NO DEALER HAS RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. A CASTER READING, BY AN INDEPENDENT SHOP SHOW THAT IF ONE SSTRUT WERE SHORTER, THE SHAKING WOULD STOP. THE CASTERS ARE OFF, THE CAR ALWAYS NEEDS ALIGNED, AND THE TIRES WEAR UNEVENLY. I'LL BE SPENDING THE $2,000 TO FIX IT, BUT THE PROBLEM IS A MANUFACTURING ONE. VOLVO DENIES ANY RESPONSABILITY FOR 1994 MODELS, NOW THAT THEY ARE OWNED BY FORD. *AK

NHTSA ID
722081
Incident
Sep 5, 1997
Airbags
Filed Feb 22, 2000

WHILE TRAVELING 25-30 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
857325
Airbags
Filed Feb 14, 2000

WHILE TRAVELING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT 10-15 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SLAM ON BRAKES TO PREVENT FROM HITTING THE OTHER VEHICLE. UPON SLAMMING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT CAUSED BOTH AIR BAGS TO DELPOY.AIR BAG COVER ON PASSENGER'S SIDE CAUSED FRONT WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ID
856877
Incident
Feb 4, 1999
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 10, 1999

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BOTTOM HEATING ELEMENT SHORT CIRCUITED, BURNING A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND THROUGH THE OCCUPANT'S COAT. *AK *YC

NHTSA ID
853960
Incident
Oct 22, 1999
Airbags
Filed Dec 1, 1999
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHICH CAUSED A CRASH, AND COULD HAVE RESULTED INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
853551
Incident
Sep 20, 1999

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.

Narrow this down by component

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .