The Volvo NR spans 1985–1996 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers up to 22 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the Volvo NR — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
Overview
The Volvo NR is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1985 to 1996 across multiple generations.
How to read a Volvo NR VIN — every digit explained
Every Volvo NR carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Volvo and the country it was built in (real Volvo codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this NR.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- USA1WA · 1WU · 4V3 · 4V4 · 4V6 · 4VJ
- Mexico3CE · 3V4 · 3X1
- SwedenYV1 · YV3 · YV4
- ChinaLVY · LYV
- Canada2PC
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your NR, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Volvo NR have?
The Volvo NR has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1985–1996. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Volvo NR
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Volvo NR — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Volvo NR problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Volvo NR — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Volvo NR specifications & dimensions
The 1996 Volvo NR. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Volvo NR window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Volvo NR cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the NR holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 98 cu ft of passenger volume and 15 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Volvo NR tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Volvo NR get?
The Volvo NR returns up to 22 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,850/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1993 Volvo NR (2.3L 4-cyl) gets 21 mpg combined and costs about $2,950/yr to fuel, emitting 423 g/mi CO₂ — about $3,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 NR | 19 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.3L 4-cyl | |
| 1992 NR | 19 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.3L 4-cyl | |
| 1991 NR | 19 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.3L 4-cyl | |
| 1990 NR | 19 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.3L 4-cyl | |
| 1989 NR | 19 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.3L 4-cyl | |
| 1988 NR | 19 | 25 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.3L 4-cyl | |
| 1987 NR | 19 | 26 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2.3L 4-cyl | |
| 1986 NR | 20 | 26 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2.3L 4-cyl | |
| 1985 NR | 20 | 26 | $2,850 | 404 | — | 2.3L 4-cyl |
The 1996 Volvo NR (2.4L 5-cyl) gets 21 mpg combined and costs about $3,650/yr to fuel, emitting 423 g/mi CO₂ — about $7,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 NR | 18 | 26 | $3,650 | 423 | — | 2.4L 5-cyl | |
| 1995 NR | 18 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.4L 5-cyl | |
| 1994 NR | 18 | 26 | $2,950 | 423 | — | 2.4L 5-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the NR stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this NR's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Volvo NR have? Power & range
The Volvo NR is offered with 2 powertrains — 2.3L 4-cyl, 2.4L 5-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.3L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | RWD | Regular |
| 5-cyl | 2.4L · 5-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | FWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Volvo NR cost to own?
A Volvo NR tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used NR is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this NR loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $14,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the NR ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Volvo NR safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the NR yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Volvo NR last?
A well-maintained Volvo NR typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain.
Check your Volvo NR’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this NR’s VIN free →All Volvo NR model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Volvo NR — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 NR | 0 | — | |
| 1995 NR | 0 | — | |
| 1994 NR | 0 | — | |
| 1993 NR | 0 | — | |
| 1992 NR | 0 | — | |
| 1991 NR | 0 | — | |
| 1990 NR | 0 | — | |
| 1989 NR | 0 | — | |
| 1988 NR | 0 | — | |
| 1987 NR | 0 | — | |
| 1986 NR | 0 | — | |
| 1985 NR | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the NR?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Volvo NR.
How many recalls does the NR have?
0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1985–1996. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Volvo recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the NR get?
Up to 22 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a NR last?
A well-maintained NR typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the NR reliable?
We're still compiling NHTSA data for the Volvo NR — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
What's the Volvo NR warranty?
New Volvo models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Volvo dealer.
Where is the Volvo NR made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your NR's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Volvo may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the NR have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.