Volvo9401994Overview/volvo/940/1994/base/

1994 Volvo 940

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 940.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1994 Volvo 940 pairs a 4-speed automatic transmission with EPA fuel-economy ratings of 17 city/22 highway/19 combined mpg, and its maintenance schedule calls for 4.0 quarts of engine oil in 15W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 API viscosity grades. Across the 1990–1998 model run, the 1994 model year stands out as the peak complaint year with 44 owner reports, led by air-bag concerns, while recording zero recalls. That concentration of reported issues makes 1994 the most documented trouble spot in the 940's nine-year complaint history, especially when set against the single complaint logged for 1990.

Model year19951994199319921991

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/22/19 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.7 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height55.5 in
Wheelbase109.1 in
Curb weight3208 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 57.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 22 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume17 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the 940 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8–8.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 1991 SE Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1991SE Sedan 2.3L Turbo I-47.80 sec16.20 sec162 hpRWD
1991Turbo Sedan 2.3L Turbo I-48.40 sec16.60 sec162 hpRWD
1991Turbo Sedan 2.3L Turbo I-48.90 sec16.80 sec162 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect)
At 10,000 miSuspension System (inspect) · Timing Belt (inspect)
Every 10,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
At 20,000 miSuspension Shock or Strut (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBattery (inspect) · Driveshaft Support Bearing (inspect) · EGR Valve (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 50,000 miTiming Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (inspect)
At 60,000 miEGR Valve (inspect) · Timing Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · PCV System (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record shows complaints were minimal in the early 1990s (1 in 1990, 11 in 1991) but climbed steadily, reaching a peak of 44 complaints in 1994 before falling to 28 in 1995 and dropping to single‑digit levels by 1997‑1998. Recalls were absent in 1994, while investigations remained at one and technical service bulletins (TSBs) surged to 96, the second‑highest figure in the series after 1995’s 97. Compared with 1993 (25 complaints, 68 TSBs) and 1995 (28 complaints, 97 TSBs), the 1994 model year records the highest complaint count and a near‑peak TSB level. The leading complaint areas for 1994 are air bags (18 reports), engine/engine cooling (4), tires (3), and suspension (3), with 12 crash‑related complaints and no fire complaints. Because the 1994 year exhibits elevated complaint volume and TSB frequency without a recall to address them, it indicates a higher likelihood of issues, making it a less favorable choice for a used purchase.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
96
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
44
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 44 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags18
Engine & Engine Cooling4
Tires3
Suspension3
Air Bags,Vehicle Speed Control2
Structure2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 96 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
C000092023-07-21Unknown Or OtherCOMPLIMENTARY UPGRADE C00009 DESCRIPTION.
TJ36563302023-06-12Unknown Or OtherRubber cushion
Special Tools Bu2022-05-12Unknown Or OtherThe Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to…
Service Manager2022-05-06EquipmentICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations
356EN012022-02-09EquipmentVIDA QR Scanner Mobile App

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 940. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1994 940 take?

4.0 qt of ABOVE 0 degrees F: 15W-40 API, -14 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 68 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1994 940 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 940 get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined mpg.