1995 Volvo 940 problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 30 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.1 times the median 940 year — the 1995 model ranks #2 of 8 940 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.
Airbags leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (33% of the total).
30
NHTSA complaints
0
Recalls
1
Investigations
12
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
11
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 1995 compare to other 940 years?
What are the most common 1995 Volvo 940 problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 10 | 33% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 7 | 23% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 3 | 10% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 3 | 10% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 2 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 3% | — flat |
| Brakes | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Electrical System | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 1 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 3% | — flat |
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“1995 VOLVO 940 WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT AND NONE OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *MR ALSO WITH THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE REAR AND DESTROYED THE FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE. (TOTALED) THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WITHOUT ANY…”
“WIFE HEARD A THUMPING SOUND WHEN CAR WAS IN MOTION. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM CARCASS. WE ARE NOT POSITIVE OF MODEL OF FIRESTONE TIRE, BUT KNOW IT WAS FIRESTONE. ALL TIRES WERE REPLACED AND LEFT WITH DEALER SO FURTHER INFORMATION IS NOT AVAILABLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER:…”
“NOTICED GAS SMELL EVERY TIME I FILLED GAS LOOKED UNDER CAR AND NOTICED GAS PUDDLING UNDER CAR. ALSO GAS PUDDLING AFTER PARKING OF CAR. HAVE NOT TAKEN TANK DOWN AS OF YET TO TROUBLE SHOOT PROBLEM BUT BELIEVE IT TO BE A CRACKED GAS TANK AS THE AMOUNT OF GAS PUT INTO TANK BEFORE LEAKING HAS STEADILY…”
“WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND A SHARP TURN WAS MADE, A HISSING SOUND WAS HEARD. ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE, RESULTING IN A MINOR COLLISION. A SECOND SIMILAR OCCURRENCE OCCURRED AFTERWARDS , BUT THERE WAS NO COLLISION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK”
“CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT DEALER REPLACED MICRO SWITCH ON FIVE OCCASIONS. WHENEVER THE MICRO SWITCH FAILED TO OPERATE, CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PUSH THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON WITH TWO HANDS TO ENGAGE THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. *AK”
1995 Volvo 940 — common questions
Is the 1995 Volvo 940 reliable?
NHTSA data argues against it: 30 complaints put the 1995 model at #2 of 8 940 years. It is one of the 940 years to avoid.
What are the most common 1995 940 problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (10 complaints), tires & wheels (7 complaints), speed control (3 complaints).
Does the 1995 Volvo 940 have recalls?
No. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1995 Volvo 940.
Is the 1995 Volvo 940 under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened one investigation 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.