1990 Volvo 240 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1990 Volvo 240, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical625.0%
- Driver assistance520.8%
- Interior & seats416.7%
- Brakes312.5%
- Steering14.2%
- Tires & wheels14.2%
- Transmission14.2%
- Engine14.2%
- Exterior lighting14.2%
- Seat belts14.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1990 VOLVO 240 WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS CONTINUOUSLY FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE INTO THE SERVICE BAY AREA. AS SOON AS SHE SHIFTED FROM PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT MADE A HARD LEFT TURN TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE FRONT ENTRANCE OF THE SHOP AND CRASHED INTO A WALL INSTEAD. THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY BECAME FILLED WITH WHITE SMOKE AND A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER. THE VEHICLE ONLY CAME TO A STOP DUE TO THE OBSTRUCTIONS BUT WAS STILL ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE EXTRACTED FROM THE VEHICLE BY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WITH A SLEDGE HAMMER, AND THE WALL HAD TO BE OPENED IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE CONTACT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS REMOVED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE ANY FURTHER DUE TO THE OBSTRUCTION OF THE WALL. THE AMBULANCE ARRIVED TO THE SCENE BUT BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS IN A STATE OF SHOCK, REFUSED MEDICAL TRANSPORT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 VOLVO 240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND THE BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GLASS DOORS OF THE AUTO DEPARTMENT AND THROUGH THE BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 01/05/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIRS DUE TO THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY SHUTTING OFF.*JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1990 VOLVO 240 WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS CONTINUOUSLY FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE STATION FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE INTO THE SERVICE BAY AREA. AS SOON AS SHE SHIFTED FROM PARK, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT MADE A HARD LEFT TURN TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE FRONT ENTRANCE OF THE SHOP AND CRASHED INTO A WALL INSTEAD. THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY BECAME FILLED WITH WHITE SMOKE AND A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER. THE VEHICLE ONLY CAME TO A STOP DUE TO THE OBSTRUCTIONS BUT WAS STILL ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO BE EXTRACTED FROM THE VEHICLE BY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WITH A SLEDGE HAMMER, AND THE WALL HAD TO BE OPENED IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE CONTACT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS REMOVED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE ANY FURTHER DUE TO THE OBSTRUCTION OF THE WALL. THE AMBULANCE ARRIVED TO THE SCENE BUT BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS IN A STATE OF SHOCK, REFUSED MEDICAL TRANSPORT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR DUPLICATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 VOLVO 240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND THE BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GLASS DOORS OF THE AUTO DEPARTMENT AND THROUGH THE BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 01/05/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIRS DUE TO THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY SHUTTING OFF.*JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE SEATING IN DRIVER SEAT NOTICED SEAT ROCKING SOON AFTER WHEN SEAT BROKE IN HALF. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT FELL OFF. THE DEALER REPLACED A BOLT BUT NOW THE SEAT BACK APPEARS READY TO FALL AGAIN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 VOLVO 240. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND THE BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GLASS DOORS OF THE AUTO DEPARTMENT AND THROUGH THE BUILDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. UPDATED 01/05/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIRS DUE TO THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY SHUTTING OFF.*JS
WHILE DRIVING BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING A COLLISION. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT 3 FAILED COMPONENTS; MASTER CYLINDER/ LEFT FRONT CALIPER, AND "BOOSTER".*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING LOWER KNUCKLE FAILED (PLEASE EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL). TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
GOODYEAR VIVA 2 TIRES FROM WALMART HAVE GONE OUT-OF-ROUND REPEATEDLY. THE MECHANICS AT ANOTHER TIRE SHOP SAY THEY SEE THIS ALL THE TIME WITH WALMART GOODYEARS. I GAVE UP ON WARRANTY REPLACEMENTS, SINCE THEY ALSO FAIL, AND I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS AND A WIFE DRIVING THESE CARS WITH FAILING TIRES. I SACRIFICED THE WARRANTIES AND PUT KUMHOS ON THE CARS. I HAVE 6 VOLVO 240S AND ALL OF THEM HAVE HAD FAILURES OF WALMART TIRES. GOODYEAR, DOUGLAS AND UNIROYAL. 185 -70 - 14. IN EVERY CASE THE TIRES GO OUT-OF-ROUND AND CANNOT BE BALANCED. THEY WOBBLE AND SHAKE, BECAUSE OF BUBBLES IN THE SIDEWALLS AND THE TREAD FACE, OR FLAT SPOTS IN THE TREAD FACE, WHERE THE BELTS OR BANDS INSIDE THE TIRE ARE SEPARATING AND THE TIRE STRUCTURE ITSELF IS FAILING. IN EVERY CASE THE TIRES ARE A FEW MONTHS OLD AND STILL HAVE THE BRAND NEW MOLD NIPPLES, AND THE TREAD DEPTH IS ALMOST BRAND NEW. I HAVE TAKEN THE CARS TO FRONT END ALIGNMENT SHOPS AND NONE OF THEM NEEDED SUSPENSION PARTS OR ALIGNMENT - IT HAS BEEN TIRE FAILURE SHAKING THE CARS. I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 8 OF THESE TIRES FAIL IN THIS MANNER. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE PARKED WITH KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, CONSUMER'S CHILD WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE PARK POSITION TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING AT 55 MPH DUE TO FAILURE OF THE IGNITION CONTROL UNIT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER STATES HE HAS BEEN HAVING NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH REAR TAIL LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLIES AND THE FRONT MARKER LIGHT, CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MATERIALS THAT ARE BEING USED ARE VERY BRITTLE, CONSUMER STATES OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS HE HAS NOTICED NUMEROUS CRACKS, SURFACE DISTORTIONS, AND CLOUDING, ALSO WATER ENTERS THE LENS/REFELCTOR ASSEMBLIES AND HAS FURTHER AGGRAVATED THE PROBLEM BY INTRODUCING ROAD CONTAMINATES INTO THE LENS HOUSING, AS WELL AS CAUSING NUMERUS PREMATURE BULB FAILURES. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT WARNING LIGHT IS ON. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .