Volvo 240 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
89 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
129,577 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1975 to 1994 model years. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 89 complaints (13.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 18.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 5.6% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 5.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 7 |
| Tires | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 3 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Air Bags:Frontal: 7; Tires: 5; Exterior Lighting: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 4; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 6
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 74 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 31 |
| 1996 | 10 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 31; 1996: 10; 2000: 10; 2001: 7; 2002: 5; 2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 963638 · 1995-04-12 (April 12, 1995)
VEHICLE STALLS AT LOW SPEEDS AND THERE ARE NO BRAKES WHEN THIS HAPPENS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963638 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002964 · 2003-01-19 (January 19, 2003)
I WENT TO THE MIDAS AUTO SHOP LOCATED ON 8888 JAMACHA ROAD TO GET MY BRAKE SYSTEM BLED. WHEN I GOT THERE, THE MANAGER, NANCY, SAID THAT I NEEDED TO GET A THOROUGH BRAKE INSPECTION BEFORE GETTING ANYTHING DONE. I CONSENTED, AND SIGNED A CONSENT FORM. NOTE: PRIOR TO GOING TO THE AUTO SHOP, MY CAR WAS IN TOP RUNNING CONDITION, EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE PROBLEM. AS SOON AS THE BRAKE INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED, NANCY TOLD ME THE OTHER "PROBLEMS" THAT MY CAR HAD TO GET FIXED IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKE SITUATION. IN ADDITION TO THAT SHE SAID THAT THE WHOLE BRA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002964 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 727703 · 2000-08-12 (August 12, 2000)
WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INTO NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY, INTO THEIR GARAGE, CAUSING VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. WHEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, VEHICLE AGAIN ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY BACK INTO OUR HOME'S GARAGE, HITTING OUR SECOND VEHICLE. TWO OF OUR VEHICLES DAMAGED (INCLUDING VOLVO), TWO NEIGHBOR'S VEHICLES DAMAGED, AS WELL AS STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO NEIGHBOR'S GARAGE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 727703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967717 · 1995-06-26 (June 26, 1995)
WHEN PLACING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE VEHICLE SURGE INTO REVERSE AT HIGH SPEED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963692 · 1995-04-13 (April 13, 1995)
STEERING LOWER KNUCKLE FAILED (PLEASE EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL). TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963692 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961600 · 1995-03-09 (March 9, 1995)
WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961600 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10068043 · 2004-04-29 (April 29, 2004)
FOLLOWING MULTIPLE BREAKDOWNS FAILED INSULATION ON EXPOSED ELECTRICAL WIRES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND ALTERNATOR WERE FOUND. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH COULD LEAD TO FIRE AND HAVE TAKEN THE CAR OFF THE ROAD PENDING REPAIR. I SEARCHED GOOGLE FOR VOLVO BAD WIRING AND CAME UP WITH MANY HITS. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY RELATED DESIGN FAULT RELATED TO THE TYPE OF WIRE USED ONLY IN CERTAIN YEARS IN THE EARLY 1980'S. EARLIER AND LATER CARS SEEM TO BE OK. IT SEEMS THE WIRE IS NOT HEAT RESISTENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 188,192 miles reported. Look up ODI 10068043 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1983 | 0 |
| 1984 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 0 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
1980: 0; 1983: 0; 1984: 0; 1985: 1; 1986: 1; 1987: 0; 1988: 0; 1989: 0; 1990: 0; 1991: 0; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0