1994 Volvo 940: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
165,673 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 29 complaints (27.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 17.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 6.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Air Bags: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 6
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 5; 1996: 1; 2000: 9; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 3; 2007: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10016140 · 2003-04-17 (April 17, 2003)
SEAT BELT LATCH IS CRACKED. CONTACTED VOLVO BY EMAIL, SAID ITEM NOT UNDER WARRANTY, THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE A SAFETY ISSUE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016140 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054804 · 2004-01-24 (January 24, 2004)
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 U…
Owner-reported narrative. 189,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10094305 · 2004-09-24 (September 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10094305 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101054 · 2004-11-16 (November 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
Owner-reported narrative. 165,673 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101054 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10199159 · 2007-08-03 (August 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
Owner-reported narrative. 120,882 miles reported. Look up ODI 10199159 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10286905 · 2009-10-09 (October 9, 2009)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 132,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10286905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10314175 · 2010-02-25 (February 25, 2010)
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 COM…
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10314175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10416762 · 2011-08-02 (August 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 220,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10416762 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.