RoadVitals

1993 Volvo 240

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Jun 13, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1993 Volvo 240, most frequently naming the airbags, brakes and driver assistance categories. 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 64 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags426.7%
  • Brakes320.0%
  • Driver assistance16.7%
  • Engine16.7%
  • Interior & seats16.7%
  • Seat belts16.7%
  • Steering16.7%
  • Tires & wheels16.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA94015ClosedEngineering Analysis

INADVERT. AIR BAG DEPLOYS

Opened Apr 20, 1994
Closed Oct 12, 1994

There is no summary currently available

AIR BAGSLed to recall 94V185000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Jun 13, 2017
1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 VOLVO 240 STATION WAGON. WHILE WAITING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO PASS TO PULL INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH FORCE AND EMITTED A GRAY SUBSTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED INTO THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WEEKS LATER. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR BRUISING, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA94015 (AIR BAGS) AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE93095 (AIR BAGS). IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 94V185000 (AIR BAGS), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10994616
Incident
Apr 27, 2017
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 28, 2005

DT: CONSUMER STATED THAT A VEHICLE SHE WAS ABOUT TO PURCHASE HAD ODOMETER FRAUD INVOLVED. THE VEHICLE WAS 1993 VOLVO WAGON 240. THE CONSUMER WAS CONSIDERING PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE RAN A CAR FAX ON THE VOLVO. THE CAR FAX SHOWED THAT THE MILEAGE WAS INCREASING. THE ACTUAL MILEAGE WAS INCREASING AND CONSISTENT, COULD TELL THROUGH THE DMV RECORDS. THE LAST MILEAGE SHOWN WAS ON JULY 30, 2004 WITH THE GEORGIA INSPECTION STATION FOR AN EMISSION TEST, THE MILEAGE WAS 298,106 MILES. THE CONSUMER IS POINTING OUT THAT THIS WAS NOT A CLERICAL ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE CAR AND THE MILEAGE, THE MILEAGE WAS SHOWING AS 156,820 MILES. THERE WAS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT WAS ADVERTISING THIS CAR FOR SALE IN THE LOCAL PAPER CLASSIFIEDS ON THE INTERNET. THE EXACT WEB ADDRESS IS AJCCARS.COM THE CONSUMER HAS THE NAME AND CELL PHONE NUMBER OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS TRYING TO SALE THE CAR. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAS A KEY TO THE CAR IN HER POSSESSION. THE POLICE HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THE CONSUMER AT THIS POINT. ALL THE CONSUMER HAS ABOUT THE VEHICLE IS THE VIN NUMBER. THE CONSUMER ALSO HAS A RECEIPT FROM HER MECHANIC WITH THE 156,820 MILES ON IT. ALTHOUGH, THE CONSUMER IS REPORTING THIS, THERE IS NOT ANY MORE INFORMATION THAT CAN BE PROVIDED BY THE CONSUMER.*AK

NHTSA ID
10130395
Incident
Jul 27, 2005
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 4, 2004

I OWN A 1993 VOLVO 240 SEDAN. I AM SELLING IT AND UPON REMOVING THE "TEMPORARY USE SPARE" TO CLEAN OUT THE TRUNK, I SAW THAT THE TREAD HAS SEPARATED IN A SECTION ABOUT ONE FOOT OF THE CIRCUMPHRENCE. THIS TIRE HAS NEVER BEEN USED, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IN THE TRUNK. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES: FIRESTONE TEMPORARY USE ONLY 155R 15 90 Q MADE IN SPAIN DOT F7P7 B2ET 472. *AK

NHTSA ID
10079254
Incident
Jul 4, 2004
Mileage
5 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 1, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE VEHICLE WAS JUST PASSING THROUGH A TOLL BOOTH CONSUMER HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THEN, STEERING COLUMN BEGAN TO SHAKE, AND SUDDENLY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO REAR END VEHICLE IN FRONT. BECAUSE OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CONSUMER SUSTAINED FACE AND CHEST INJURIES, AND WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR ONE WEEK. *AK

NHTSA ID
10061074
Incident
Mar 1, 2004
Engine
Filed Jan 19, 2001

THE ORIGINAL PART (VOLVO PART #3536202) HAS 3 HEAT SHIELDS MADE OF ALUMINUM WITH ASBESTOS INSIDE FOR INSULATION. THE HEAT SHIELDS ALLOW WATER TO REMAIN IN CONTACT WITH THE DOWNPIPE AND FACILITATE CORROSION. THIS CORROSION ALLOWS PREMATURE CRACKING OF THE WELDS. THE WELD FAILURES ALLOW EXHAUST TO LEAK OUT BEFORE IT LEAVES THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I PURCHASED A NEW DOWN PIPE FROM VOLVO, IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY HEAT SHIELDS! VOLVO REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE HEAT SHIELDS CAUSING CORROSION, AND CHANGED THE WAY THEY MANUFACTURE THE DOWNPIPE. VOLVO OFFERS NO RECOURSE TO ME.*AK

NHTSA ID
739620
Incident
May 12, 1999
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 7, 2000

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HOOD LATCH RELEASED, CAUSING HOOD TO FLY UP INTO WINDSHIELD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
876136
Incident
Dec 4, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Feb 5, 1999
Crash reported

THE COLLISION ON 1/5/99 DAMAGED THE LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL AND TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. . ALSO, THE HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP NO LONGER WORKED. WHEN THE REPAIR SHOP LOOKED AT THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE TAILGATE, THEY DETERMINED THAT, THOUGH THE IMPACT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE WIRES FOR THE TAIL LIGHT TO SEPARATE, THE PROBLEM WAS PRE-EXISTING IN THAT THE DESIGN OF THE WIRING HARNESS CAUSED THE WIRES TO FLEX EACH TIME THE TAILGATE OPENED AND CLOSED. WITH TIME, AS THE WIRES GET BRITTLE WITH AGE (DUE TO METAL FATIGUE), THEY ARE BOUND TO BREAK. THE WIRES FOR THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER HAD BEEN BROKEN FOR SOME TIME, THOUGH I WAS UNAWARE OF THAT, AS THERE IS NOT MUCH NEED TO USE THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WHEN THE CAR IS KEPT IN A GARAGE IN TEXAS. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOT WILLING TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS AS IT WAS A "PRE-EXISTING" CONDITION. (THE BROKEN WIRES DID NOT CAUSE THE ACCIDENT, BUT NOW THE CAR WILL NOT PASS A SAFETY INSPECTION). THE BODY REPAIR SHOP WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE VOLVO DEALERS IN THE AREA, AND HAS BEEN TOLD BY THESE DEALERS THAT THEY OFTEN REPLACE THE TAILGATE WIRING HARNESS. A SEARCH THROUGH THE NHTSA COMPLAINT DATABASE SHOWS THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM AS EVIDENCED BY THE FOLOWING REPORTS: ODI ID: 516365 MAKE: VOLVO MODEL: 240 YEAR: 1993 COMPONENT: LIGHTING:GENERAL OR UNKNOWN COMPONENT: SUMMARY: HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP HIGH MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHT FAILED. COMPONENT: HEATER:WATER:DEFROSTER:DEFOGGER SUMMARY: REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER FAILED DUE TO A BROKEN WIRE. ODI ID: 97V4608 DATE OF FAILURE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 06, 1995 COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:HARNESS:REAR COMPARTMENT SUMMARY: THE REAR LIGHT WIRES ARE BEING BROKEN DUE TO METAL FATIQUE AND CAUSING THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT NOT TO WORK. ODI ID: 385260 DATE OF FAILURE: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1990 COMPONENT: HEATER:WATER:DEFOGGER REAR-VIEW WINDOW:HOSE DUCT:AIR SUMMARY: REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER INOPERATIVE. *AK

NHTSA ID
702952
Incident
Jan 5, 1999
Airbags
Filed Aug 6, 1998

DRIVIER SIDE AIRBAG HAS CRACKED, PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TWICE. DEALERS HAS CORRECTED PROBLEM, BUT PROBLEM REOCCURRED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID
826374

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

356EN01

EQUIPMENT

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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)

ST-001-2020-09-1

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.

ST-001-2020-06-2

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.

ST-001-2020-01-2

EQUIPMENT

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.

TJ31946.1.2-2019

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the vehicle. Swapping the Driver Information Module (DIM) is strictly forbidden as the DIM it is the main carrier of the odometer function, and will, in case of swapping, result in manipulated odometer value. Service: Please do NOT swap any control modules from vehicle to vehicle for testing, unless instructed to do so in a Vehicle Report by the Technical Helpdesk

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volvo 240 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1994200
1993Viewing140149.3
1992220148.9
1991170254.2
1990200149.0
1989170040.4
1988100144.8
1987601
1986121156.8
1985412
1984500
1983600
1982200
1981000
1980100
1978000
1976100
1975010

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.