Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
193,906 miles · Nov 15, 2011
Air BagsInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 VOLVO 420. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED BURNS TO THE FACE AND DAMAGE TO HER HEARING AS WELL AS OTHER INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEPLOYED BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE ANY COOPERATI…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 VOLVO 420. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THE CONTACT RECEIVED BURNS TO THE FACE AND DAMAGE TO HER HEARING AS WELL AS OTHER INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEPLOYED BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE ANY COOPERATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,906.
NHTSA ODI #10435666
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1994 Volvo 420 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year