About Volvo Cars
The name Volvo, Latin for “I roll,” was trademarked by Swedish SKF corporation, a ball bearing manufacturer, in 1911. The first vehicles produced under the name Volvo appeared in 1927, but the public took little note until the first Volvo truck was produced. Diversification through business acquisitions from the 1930s-1950s added aerospace, precision motor manufacturing, agricultural machinery, and marine engine manufacturing capabilities. In 1978 the automotive manufacturing component of Volvo became independent, and it soon sought partnerships with other automakers including Renault and two attempts to partner with Saab-Scania.
In 1999 Volvo was sold to Ford Motor Co. The period 2000-2012 saw a series of acquisitions and sales as Volvo bought Renault’s and Nissan’s truck divisions and sold its aero division and auto telematics subsidiary. The Volvo Group umbrella includes Volvo, Dongfeng, Mack, and Renault trucks; financial services, marine engines (Volvo Penta), construction equipment, defense industry vehicles (Volvo Arquus), and Volvo buses.
Quick Facts
-
Volvo VNL
is the most-recalled Volvo vehicle
-
Volvo 240
is the least expensive car from Volvo starting from
$ 16,725.00
-
Volvo S60
has an MPG of
26 miles/gallon / 38 miles/gallon
which is the highest gas mileage in the city and on highways
-
Volvo XC60
has the most trims available with 232 variations released
Number of Volvo Sales in the United States
Volvo U.S. Sales Reports - By Month
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 3,794 | 4,012 | 5,916 | 4,636 | 5,023 | 5,985 | 5,619 | 5,869 | 5,527 | 7,422 | 6,902 | 9,341 |
| 2016 | 4,244 | 5,260 | 6,857 | 6,169 | 5,536 | 8,454 | 8,584 | 7,682 | 5,615 | 6,340 | 7,723 | 10,129 |
| 2017 | 3,472 | 4,651 | 5,356 | 7,121 | 6,202 | 7,303 | 6,967 | 7,994 | 7,900 | 7,008 | 7,854 | 9,679 |
| 2018 | 5,567 | 6,283 | 8,233 | 8,333 | 9,338 | 9,868 | 8,622 | 8,970 | 8,715 | 7,327 | 8,181 | 8,826 |
| 2019 | 5,854 | 6,635 | 9,569 | 8,367 | 9,761 | 9,934 |
Volvo Car Sales in The United States from 2015 to 2019
| Year | Car Sales |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 70,046 |
| 2016 | 82,593 |
| 2017 | 81,507 |
| 2018 | 98,263 |
| 2019 | 50,120 |
Average Pricing for Volvo Popular models
| Popular Volvo Models | Average Price |
|---|---|
| XC90 | $ 40,189.88 |
| XC70 | $ 35,895.98 |
| V70 | $ 32,176.36 |
| C70 | $ 40,567.81 |
| 850 | $ 29,163.02 |
| 240 | $ 11,163.61 |
| 740 Wagon | $ 24,445.82 |
| 940 Wagon | $ 26,655.35 |
| V60 Cross Country | $ 42,334.66 |
| XC40 | $ 36,385.56 |
| 760 Wagon | $ 24,155.00 |
| V90 | $ 37,120.18 |
| V90 Cross Country | $ 53,956.67 |
| S60 Cross Country | $ 44,350.00 |
Interesting Facts About Volvo
Volvo has been a pioneer in vehicle safety, introducing standard seat belts in 1957 and in the late 1960s model Volvo 144, additional features like a collapsible steering column, crumple zones that absorb crash energy, disc brakes, and enhanced safety belts.
Zeijing Geely Holding Group has owned Volvo Cars since 2010 when it purchased the entity from Ford. It also owns a majority stake of the London Electric Vehicle Company (taxis) and the performance brand Lotus. Known as Geely, it ranks about 15th worldwide in vehicle production with 1.9 million vehicles produced.
Electric vehicles are the future, Volvo believes, having produced a fleet of EV in 2010. Since then the company has developed a hybrid electric-diesel engine and has committed to making electric versions of every model they produce.
Passenger comfort is not overlooked by Volvo, which aided an Irish theater by providing seating made for its S80 luxury saloon for those watching staged dramas in Kilcullen.
Volvo’s crash standards are its calling card, with each test facility incident photographed thousands of times to understand equipment strength and failure under extreme circumstances. The company’s Gothenberg manufacturing facility uses an 800-ton piece of equipment developed for earthquake testing on its vehicles.
A Volvo P1800 purchased new in 1966 by American Irv Gordon is the longest-running production vehicle known, with an excess of 3,000,000 miles on it. Volvo owners are eligible to join elite clubs when their vehicles hit certain milestones of 150,000 miles and above.
Volvo owners are particularly enthusiastic about the brand’s safety features, sharing dramatic stories of crashes and survival on a website called VolvoSavedMyLife.com. Many feature images of mangled automobiles and exciting details of near-death experiences.
How to Identify and Decode Volvo VINs
WMI
The first three characters of a VIN are called the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). These three-digit codes are established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The WMI provides basic information, such as the manufacturer of the vehicle and its country of origin.
Volvo uses the following WMI codes:
| XLB | passenger cars built by Volvo Car BV / NedCar |
| YV1 | passenger cars |
| YV2 | trucks |
| YV3 | buses |
| YV4 | multipurpose |
| 4V1 | trucks |
| 4V4 | trucks |
| 4V5 | trucks |
| MHA | PT. Central Sole Agency |
Volvo uses the fourth digit to represent the code for the vehicle. The models identified by Volvo are included below.
| Code | 1981-1998 | 1999-On | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 240 | 2006- S80 | XC90 (2015+) |
| B | 260 | 2008- V70, XC70 | |
| C | XC90 (2002-2014) | ||
| D | 1983-85 700 sedan | XC60 | |
| E | 480 | ||
| F | 740 | New S60/V60 | |
| G | 760 | V60 Plug-In Hybrid | |
| H | 780 | ||
| J | 940 | ||
| K | 440, 960 | S90, V90 | |
| L | 460, 850 | S70, V70 | |
| M | S40, V50, C30, C70 | 2013- V40 | |
| N | C70 1st gen. | ||
| R | 2000-2009 S60 | ||
| S | 2000-2007 V70, XC70 | ||
| T | 1999-2006 S80 | ||
| V | S40, V40 1st gen. | ||
Volvo has used the character in the fifth position to denote body style, safety equipment, and model platform code at various times since 1981. The vehicle platform codes have been in use since 2010. Volvo uses the following codes:
| C | All-New C70 |
| H | S40 AWD, S60 AWD, S80 AWD |
| J | V50 AWD, V70 AWD |
| K | C30 FWD |
| L | XC60 2WD |
| M | XC90 5-Seater AWD |
| N | XC90 5-Seater FWD |
| R | XC90 5-Seater AWD |
| S | S40 FWD, S60 FWD, S80 FWD |
| T | XC90 R-Design |
| V | V40 FWD |
| W | V50 FWD, V60 FWD, V60 AWD, V60 Plug-In Hybrid (AWD), V70 FWD, V70 AWD |
| Y | XC90 7-Seater FWD |
| Z | XC60 AWD, XC70 AWD, XC90 7-Seater AWD |
| M | V40 Cross Country AWD |
Position six and seven are used to identify the engine. The codes used by Volvo are below.
| 11 | B17A |
| 15 | B20F |
| 20 | B200G |
| 21 | B19A, B200FT |
| 22 | B200GT |
| 24 | B19E/B200E |
| 25 | B204FT |
| 26 | B19ET |
| 27 | B200F |
| 37 | D20 |
| 41 | B21A |
| 44 | B21E |
| 45 | B21F (1976-81 US, 1976-80 |
| 46 | B21ET |
| 47 | B21FT |
| 48 | B21F-LH (LH-Jet 1.0) |
| 49 | B21F-MPG (1981-82) |
| 61 | B27A |
| 62 | B28A |
| 64 | B27E |
| 65 | B27F |
| 68 | B28E, B280E |
| 69 | B28F, B280F |
| 74 | D24 TIC with EGR |
| 75 | D24 TIC without EGR |
| 76 | D24T |
| 77 | D24 (1980-1984) |
| 80 | B230G |
| 81 | B23A, B230A, B230FK |
| 82 | B230GT, B230FD (LH 3.1) |
| 83 | B230FD w/pulsair (LH 2.4) |
| 84 | B23E, B230E, B230GK |
| 85 | B230FB |
| 86 | B23ET, B230ET (1983-88), B230FT - EGR (1994-98?) |
| 87 | B23FT (LH 2.1), B230FT (LH 2.2, 2.4) - non EGR (1984-98) |
| 88 | B23F (1983-1984 - LH 2.0), B230F (1985-95 - LH 2.2, 2.4) |
| 89 | B234F |
| 92 | B6244F |
| 93 | B6254F |
| 95 | B6304F/S 1992-94 |
| 96 | B6304S 1995-98 |
| 98 | N6304G |
| 99 | B6254G |
| 4 | B4204S4 C30/S40/V50/V70 2.0 Flexifuel FWD |
| 17 | B4204S2 V40 2.0l FWD |
| 18 | B4194T V40 1.9l Turbo FWD |
| 20 | B4164S3 C30 1.6 FWD |
| 21 | B4184S11 V50/S40 1.8 |
| 30 | D5244T18 XC90 2.4 AWD |
| 31 | D5204T7 XC60 |
| 38 | B5244S4 S40/V50 2.4i FWD |
| 39 | B5244S7 S40/V50 2.4i FWD |
| 40 | B4204T11 S60/V60 2.0 T5 FWD |
| 41 | B5202S 850/V70 2.0i FWD |
| 43 | B5204T3 850/V70/S80 2.0 T5 FWD, or B4204S3 S80(2.0F 2007-2010) |
| 47 | B5204T 850/V70 2.0 T5 FWD |
| 50 | B5234T4 V70 R AWD |
| 51 | B5252S 850/V70 2.5i FWD or D5204T6 V40/V40CC D3/D4 |
| 52 | B5254T4 S60/V70 R AWD |
| 53 | B5234T3 S60/V70 T5 FWD |
| 54 | B5244T5 S60 T5 FWD |
| 55 | B5254S; B5254FS 850/V70/S70 FWD |
| 56 | B5254T S70/V70 GLT FWD V70 XC AWD - 1999 |
| 56 | B5244T 2000 - |
| 57 | B5234T 850/V70 2.3T FWD Turbo |
| 58 | B5234T5 1995-1997 850 T-5R/R ; B5244T3 S60/V70/S80/XC70 2000 - |
| 59 | B5254T2 S80/S60/XC90 2.5T FWD/AWD, V70 2.5T FWD, XC70 AWD |
| 61 | B5244S S60/V70 2.4 FWD |
| 64 | B5244S6 S60/V70 2.4 FWD |
| 65 | B5244S2 S80/V70 2.4 FWD |
| 66 | B5244S5 S40/V50 2.4 FWD |
| 67 | B5254T7 C30/C70/V50 T5 FWD/AWD |
| 68 | B5254T3 S40/V50 T5 FWD/AWD |
| 69 | D5244T5 S80/V70 2.4D FWD |
| 70 | D4192T3 S40/V40 |
| 70 | D5244T10 XC60 AWD D5(205) |
| 71 | D5244T4 V70 AWD D5(185), XC90 AWD D5(185) |
| 72 | D5252T S70/S80 2.5TDi FWD |
| 73 | D4192T2 S40/V40 |
| 74 | D5244T2 |
| 75 | D4204T C30 2.0D |
| 76 | D4164T 1.6D (PSA-Ford Engine) |
| 77 | D5244T8 S40 D5 AT |
| 78 | D4192T4 S40/V40 |
| 79 | D5244T D5(163) |
| 81 | D5244T7 V70 2,4 D5 93kW (2005-2007) |
| 82 | D5244T15 XC60/V60 AWD D5(215) |
| 84 | D4162T S60 |
| 85 | B8444S XC90/S80 V8 AWD |
| 88 | D5204T3 XC60 |
| 90 | B6284T S80 2.8 T6 |
| 91 | B6294T S80/XC90 2.9 T6 |
| 94 | B6294S S80 2.9 FWD |
| 97 | B6304S S80 2.9 FWD |
| 98 | B6324S XC90/S80/V70 3.2 FWD/XC70 AWD |
| 99 | B6304T4 S80 3.0 T6 AWD |
| AA | V60 Plug-In Hybrid |
| A9 | S60/V60 Polestar 3,0L (350) |
| A8 | V40 D4 D4204T14 2,0L |
| A0 | S60/V60 Polestar 2,0L (367) |
Position eight indicates the factory-equipped emissions features the vehicle was originally equipped with.
| 0 | non-EGR / Engine codes 82, 83, 87, 88; SULEV+ (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) / Engine Codes 39, 55, 64, 72 |
| 1 | EGR / Engine codes 82, 83, 86, 88 |
| 2 | ULEV2 (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) / Engine Codes 38, 41, 51, 59, 61, 67, 68, 85, 98, 99 |
| 4 | Engine Codes 71 |
| 7 | LEV2 (Low Emissions Vehicle) / Engine Codes 52, 54 |
| 8 | Engine Codes 70 |
| C | Unknown |
| D | L6 |
Position nine is the check digit. The check digit is a number between 0 and 9, or the letter X. The check digit represents the result of an algorithm using the numbers and letters of the VIN. The check digit can be used to ensure a VIN is valid.
Position ten indicates the model year the vehicle was made.
| A | 1980, 2010 |
| B | 1981, 2011 |
| C | 1982, 2012 |
| D | 1983, 2013 |
| E | 1984, 2014 |
| F | 1985, 2015 |
| G | 1986, 2016 |
| H | 1987, 2017 |
| J | 1988, 2018 |
| K | 1989, 2019 |
| L | 1990, 2020 |
| M | 1991, 2021 |
| N | 1992, 2022 |
| P | 1993, 2023 |
| R | 1994, 2024 |
| S | 1995, 2025 |
| T | 1996, 2026 |
| U | 1997, 2027 |
| W | 1998, 2028 |
| X | 1999, 2029 |
| Y | 2000, 2030 |
| 1 | 2001, 2031 |
| 2 | 2002, 2032 |
| 3 | 2003, 2033 |
| 4 | 2004, 2034 |
| 5 | 2005, 2035 |
| 6 | 2006, 2036 |
| 7 | 2007, 2037 |
| 8 | 2008, 2038 |
| 9 | 2009, 2039 |
The digit in the eleventh position indicates the factory that made the vehicle. Volvo factories use the following codes:
| 0 | [Sweden] Kalmar Plant |
| 1 | [Sweden] Torslanda Plant VCT 21(Volvo Torslandaverken) (Gothenburg) |
| 2 | [Belgium] Ghent Plant VCG 22 |
| 3 | [Canada] Halifax Plant |
| 4 | [Italy] - Bertone models 240 |
| 5 | [Malaysia] |
| 6 | [Australia] |
| 7 | [Indonesia] |
| A | [Sweden] Uddevalla Plant (Volvo Cars/TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing)) |
| B | [Italy] - Bertone Chongq 31 |
| D | [Italy] - Bertone models 262C (US/CDN), 780 |
| E | [Singapore] |
| F | [The Netherlands] Born Plant (NEDCAR) |
| J | [Sweden] Uddevalla Plant VCU 38 (Volvo Cars/ Pininfarina Sverige AB) |
| M | PVÖ 53 |
Positions 12 through 17 are the serial number. A serial number is a little like a fingerprint. It identifies the vehicle specifically using manufacturer specific codes. It is important to recognize that serial numbers are not consecutive. A serial number does not indicate the order in which a vehicle was produced.
Safety and Recalls for Volvo Cars
A recall was issued for 2017 Volvo XC90, S90, and V90 Cross Country vehicles due to the potential for a bolt to fail that might cause the inflatable curtain airbags to mis-deploy.
Issues with the driver and passenger airbag inflators have prompted a recall for the following 2017 models:
- Volvo S60
- Volvo S60CC
- Volvo V60
- Volvo V60 Cross Country
- Volvo XC60
Front seat buckles are recalled due to potential failure in the following 2016-2017 models manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016:
- Volvo XC90
- Volvo S90
- Volvo XC60
- Volvo V60 Cross Country
- Volvo V60
- Volvo S60 Cross Country
- Volvo S60
- Volvo S60 Inscription
A recall was issued to repair an air conditioning hose that may drain into the passenger compartment and affect airbag deployment in 2016-2017 Volvo XC90 and S90 vehicles manufactured April 15, 2015, through September 19, 2016.
Volvo Recalls
Volvo had 2834 from 1980 to 2024 of which the most recalled model is 2016 Volvo VNL and the least is 1993 Volvo 850. Volvo had the most recalled during 2012.
| Model | Number of Recalls |
|---|---|
| 2016 Volvo VNL #1 with most recalls | 8 |
| 2017 Volvo VNL #2 with most recalls | 5 |
| 2008 Volvo V50 #3 with most recalls | 3 |
| 1995 Volvo 850 #4 with most recalls | 3 |
| 1986 Volvo 760 #5 with most recalls | 3 |
| 2007 Volvo V50 #6 with most recalls | 2 |
| 2003 Volvo S40 #7 with most recalls | 2 |
| 2012 Volvo VNL #8 with most recalls | 16 |
| 2016 Volvo S60 #9 with most recalls | 14 |
| 2016 Volvo XC70 #10 with most recalls | 1 |
| 2000 Volvo S40 #11 with most recalls | 1 |
| 1993 Volvo 850 #12 with most recalls | 1 |
