1994 Volvo 940 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 49%of 41 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 189,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the air bags of the 1994 Volvo 940, 49% of the 41 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 189,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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 complaint #11113516, filed 2018-07, 285,633 miles“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 complaint #10416762, filed 2011-08, 220,000 miles“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 complaint #10504983, filed 2013-03, 152,000 miles“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 complaint #10286905, filed 2009-10, 132,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10128123Oct 18, 2017Service Manager Bulletin TITLE : Service Action Notification Re - Mails GROUP : NO : ISSUING DEPARTMENT : CAR MARKET : Product Safety & Compliance United States and Canada 00 325…
Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 1994 Volvo 940
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 Volvo 940
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology