1994 Volvo 940

1994 VOLVO 940 SEDAN WAS AT FULL STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (UNEXPLAINED), CAUSING CAR TO CRASH INTO A REGULAR PICKUP TRUCK. BECAUSE OF THE SHORT DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CARS, THE IMPACT WAS NO MORE THAN A 2-2.5 MPH CRASH AS EVIDENCED BY MINOR (REALLY SMALL) BUMPER FASCIA INDENTATION AND NO DAMAGE TO BUMPER SYSTEM WHATSOEVER. SURPRISINGLY, THIS VERY MINOR CRASH RESULTED IN BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING, RESULTING IN SHATTERING THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THIS VERY MINOR CRASH AND THE RESULTING TOTALLY UNNECESSARY AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT ($8 -9,000 + COST TO REPLACE) HAS RESULTED IN THE INSURANCE COMPANY (STATE FARM) DECLARING THE CAR AS A TOTAL LOSS -- ALONG WITH A RELATIVELY LOW FAIR MARKET VALUE (DUE TO THE 189,000 MILES). CAR IS WELL-MAINTAINED WITH A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF ANOTHER 200,000 + MILES (BASED ON A VOLVO 240 I'VE OWNED). *LA

ALL OF THE PROBLEMS MENTIONED HAVE SHOWN UP DURING MY 2 YEAR PLUS OWNERSHIP OF THIS 1994 VOLVO 940. THE CRUISE CONTROL OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY AND WHEN IT DOES, IF THE CAR GOVES OVER A BUMP, IT KNOCKS OUT; ANTENNA FAILED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, ASSUMED IT WAS THE POWER PACK; THE 4TH GEAR SOMETIMES KICKS OUT ON ITS OWN AT STARTUP AND RUNS IN 3RD, SOMETIMES FOR DAYS, OTHERS/HOURS; ABS BRAKES SOMETIMES SKIP A BEAT (OR IT'S MY HEART) WHEN GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPS WHILE BRAKE PEDAL IS ENGAGED OR ON SLIPPERY SURFACES WHILE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. BIG PROBLEM, NOT SAFETY RELATED, WITH VOLVOS, THEY DROP HUB CAPS READILY AND EASILY!*AK