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Volvo 940Model year report

1994 Volvo 940 Problems

Complaints
41filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
165,673miles, 9 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1994 Volvo 940 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 1994 Volvo 940. The part named most often is air bags, with 20 complaints (49% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (5) and brakes (4). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 165,673 miles. Of all complaints, 11 involved a crash, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 96 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10054804, filed 2004-01, 189,000 miles

Vehicle 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. …”

NHTSA complaint #735573, filed 2000-11

Brakes: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #735583, filed 2000-11

Engine cooling: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10314175, filed 2010-02, 180,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 132,000 and 189,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–7511%75–10022%100–15067%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (9 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 165,673 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’96’98’009’02’04’09’11’18
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1994 Volvo 940 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
940 RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic172420$3,350
940 RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic172219$3,550
940 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic172420$3,350
940 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic172219$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1994 Volvo 940 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 96 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 96 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volvo 940

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
19952792,0000—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199441165,6730—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199323115,6171—20—Stable
199216130,0000—18—Stable
199111118,0002—18—Not enough data

All Volvo 940 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1994 Volvo 940 have?

NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 1994 Volvo 940 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1994 Volvo 940 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 20 complaints (49% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 5.

Has the 1994 Volvo 940 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1994 Volvo 940 get?

The EPA rates the 1994 Volvo 940 (940, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1994 Volvo 940 reported?

Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 165,673 miles and the middle half falls between 132,000 and 189,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.