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.
1994 Volvo 940
Owners filed 41 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the airbags. No safety recall has been issued.
Most common 1994 Volvo 940 problems
17 of the 41 complaints (41%) are about the airbags.
| Component | Reports | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags › Frontal · airbags | 13 | 8 | 0 | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control · throttle and acceleration | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | |
| Air Bags · airbags | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Tires › Tread/Belt | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Suspension › Front | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System · engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Wheels › Rim | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What owners reported
Newest filingsTL* 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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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
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
SEAT BELT LATCH IS CRACKED. CONTACTED VOLVO BY EMAIL, SAID ITEM NOT UNDER WARRANTY, THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE A SAFETY ISSUE. *NLM
WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING GAS TANK CRACKED, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
DRIVER'S AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH.T DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND CONSUMER WAS UNLOADING GROCIERS FROM TRUCK. HYDRAULIC BAR SNAPPED/ FELL DOWN, AND HIT HER IN HEAD.
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
VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
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
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
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
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 )
ARIBAG SENSOR HAS FAILED AT 49,000 MILES, CAUSING AIRBAGS TO BE INOPERATIVE IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT.*AK
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
WHILE TRAVELING 25-30 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
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.
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BOTTOM HEATING ELEMENT SHORT CIRCUITED, BURNING A HOLE IN THE SEAT AND THROUGH THE OCCUPANT'S COAT. *AK *YC
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
AFTER LOSING CONTROL AND BUMPING INTO A POLE WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
THE VEHICLE LEAKS WATER FROM THE RADIATOR DUE TO A CRACKED CAP ASSEMBLY. DEALER REPLACED THE CAP ASSEMBLY.MJS
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND HER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
CONSUMER WAS STOPPED AT A TRFFIC LIGHT/ LIGHT CHANGED VEHICLE COMMENCED ON. CONSUMER HIT THE REAR OF FRONT VEHICLE AT APPROX 5 MPH OR LESS. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FROM THIS LOW SPEED IMPACT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR, TRAVELING LESS THAN 10 MPH, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, WITHOUT REASON. THERE WAS NO OUTSIDE DAMAGE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
ABS FAILURE.
WHILE PARKED VEHICLE WAS LIGHTLY HIT AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THEN IT WAS PUT INTO DRIVE AND IT ACCELERATED UNEXPECTANTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE GARAGE. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK
IN WET WEATHER THE REAR END PULLS TO THE SIDE( ANY SIDE ) PURCHASED CAR USED . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
FALSE DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVERS AIR BAG.
ENGINE; THE VHEICLE STALLS/HESITATES/STUMBLES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. *AK
DURING SLOW LEFT HAND TURNS, THE DIFFERENTIAL LOCKS UP, CAUSING REAR OF CAR TO BEHAVE ERRATICALLY. *DSH
DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT WITH A DEER. TT
ENGINE OVERHEATED, ONLY 4K MILES ON CAR. TT
CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE. *AK
ENGINE OVERHEATED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
All 41 complaints, reproduced as filed.
Reading this record
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.