VehicleVerdict

1991 Volvo 940 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 1991 Volvo 940 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1991 compare to other 940 years?

940 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted50 complaints1990: 1 complaints1991: 11 complaints1992: 17 complaints1993: 26 complaints1994: 50 complaints1995: 30 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 2 complaints
940 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1991 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 940 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1991 Volvo 940 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags327%
Seats327%
Fuel System218%
Electrical System19%
Speed Control19%
Body & Structure19%

Does the 1991 Volvo 940 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

91V075000Seat BeltsMay 6, 1991 · 485 units

Defect

SAFETY BELTS ARE DESIGNED TO BE ROUTED UNDER A DIAGONAL CROSS BRACE DURING FASTENING. THE INSTRUCTIONAL LABELS FOR THE BELT ROUTING ARE INADEQUATE, AND CAN RESULT IN INADVERTENT RELEASE OF THE BELT BUCKLE.

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SAFETY BELT MISUSE COULD CAUSE THE SEAT OCCUPANT TO FACE GREATER RISK OF INJURY IN A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE ACCIDENT IF AN INADVERTENT RELEASE OF THE SAFETY BELT OCCURRED.

Remedy

INSTALL LABELS TO INSTRUCT THE USER IN PROPER SAFETY BELT ROUTING; ALSO REPLACE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES.

91V010000Fuel SystemJanuary 8, 1991 · 19,286 units

Defect

IF CONDITIONS OF HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, OVERFILLING OF THE FUEL TANK, AND INSUFFICIENT TORQUE ON THE SENDING UNIT LOCK RING EXIST SIMULTANEOUSLY, FUEL SEEPAGE MAY OCCUR FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK.

Consequence

FUEL SEEPAGE COULD RESULT IN FIRE IN THE PRESENCE OF ANIGNITION SOURCE.

Remedy

RETORQUE SENDING UNIT LOCK RING; REPLACE LOCK RING GASKET IF FUEL SEEPAGE IS DETECTED. NOTE: THE ONLY 940 MODEL SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL IS THE 940SE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN SHE NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR (SRS LIGHT) WAS ILLUMINATED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSORS WERE GONE. TO REPLACE THE PART IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $1,100 PLUS $200 TO INSTALL. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 12, 1998

“DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL 91V010000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP. THIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 8, 2005

1991 Volvo 940 — common questions

Is the 1991 Volvo 940 reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1991 940 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seats (3 complaints), airbags (3 complaints), fuel system (2 complaints).

Does the 1991 Volvo 940 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1991 Volvo 940. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1991 Volvo 940 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volvo 940 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 940 years to avoid are 1994, 1995. The cleanest record among 940 years belongs to 1997.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.