Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Volvo 940, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 9 | 32% |
| Tires | 5 | 18% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 11% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 11% |
| Power train | 2 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 4% |
| Tires | 1 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 4% |
| Air bags | 1 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 CR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
1995 VOLVO 940 TURBO ODOMETER SUDDENLY BECAME INOPERATIVE. PROCEEDING THROUGH SCHOOL ZONES IS PRIMARY SAFETY ISSUE. INTERNET INVESTIGATION SHOWS PROBLEM IS NOT UNIQUE. COULD NOT MAKE CONTACT AT THEIR WEB SITE TO ALERT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
GASOLINE FUMES IN MY GARAGE, NO APPARENT EVIDENCE OF GAS LEAK IN CAR. THIS IS A 1995 VOLVO SEDAN 940 WITH 80000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE IT WAS NEW. NEXT DAY FUMES GREW STRONGER, WE THOUGHT IT WAS FROM LAWN
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
DT: 18 INCH RIM AND TIRES. TIRE CITY RECOMMENDED 18 INCH SACCHI RIMS AND TIRES FOR VEHICLE. CONSUMER ORDERED THE RIMS AND TIRES AND DID NOT GET TO SEE THEM. CALLED THE MECHANIC, AND HE ADVISED THE CONSUMER NOT TO G
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I OWN A 1995 VOLVO 940 TURBO WAGON. IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS, WE HAVE HAD RANDOM INCIDENTS OF THE CAR LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE SPEED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT RANGES - ANYTHING FROM 35 TO 70. THERE IS NO INDICATI
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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. (TOT
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHILE DRIVING OVER A POT HOLE AT APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH FRONTAL AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
PIRRELY, P400 TOURING, SIZE P185/65R15, DOT CHFPH1410. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT TWO REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. *AK BOTH REAR TIRES SPLIT OPEN. *SC
NHTSA complaint: Tires
| Reliability raw | 60 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 86 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 53 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 9 of them (32%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 60/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.