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1994 Volvo 940 problems

The most common problem on the 1994 Volvo 940 is airbags, typically around 189,000 miles. It has 2.6 times the complaints of a typical 940 model year.

Typical year2.6x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
41
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
100
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
19-20mpg

The worst 1994 Volvo 940 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    20
  • Acceleration
    5
  • Brakes
    4
  • Engine
    4
  • Suspension
    3

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    20
  • Acceleration
    5
  • Brakes
    4
  • Engine
    4
  • Suspension
    3
  • Tires
    3
  • Body
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Visibility
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Defect investigations

Inadvertent air bag deploymentOpened October 29, 1997, closed April 21, 1998

There is no summary currently available

PE97047

Technical service bulletins for the 1994 Volvo 940 100

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 100 bulletins for the 1994 Volvo 940

1994 Volvo 940 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.3L 4‑cylRWD1722-2419-20

What 1994 Volvo 940 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 25, 2018 · Airbags · 285,633 miles · GA

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.

Filed Mar 29, 2013 · Airbags · 152,000 miles · MA · 1 injury

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.

Filed Aug 2, 2011 · Airbags · 220,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Feb 25, 2010 · Engine · 180,000 miles · WA · 3 injuries

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.

Filed Oct 9, 2009 · Airbags · 132,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

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.

Filed Aug 3, 2007 · Wheels · 120,882 miles · CA

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.

Filed Nov 16, 2004 · Tires · 165,673 miles · NC

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.

Filed Sep 24, 2004 · Tires · DC

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.

Filed Jan 24, 2004 · Acceleration, Airbags · 189,000 miles · CA · crash

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).

Filed Apr 17, 2003 · Seat belts · 90,000 miles · FL

Seat belt latch is cracked. Contacted volvo by email, said item not under warranty, thought this might be a safety issue.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1994 Volvo 940 before you buy

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Questions about the 1994 Volvo 940

Is the 1994 Volvo 940 reliable?

Owners have filed 41 complaints about the 1994 Volvo 940, 2.6 times a typical 940 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1994 Volvo 940?

Airbags, with 20 complaints, typically around 189,000 miles. Next is acceleration (5).

How many recalls does the 1994 Volvo 940 have?

No recalls on record.

What gas mileage does the 1994 Volvo 940 get?

Official estimates for the 1994 Volvo 940 range from 19 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 17 city and 22-24 highway.

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