Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 12 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
12 reports
155,000 miles · Jun 2, 2017
Exterior LightingFire
I OWNED A 1986 240 GL VOLVO 4 DOOR SEDAN. ONE NIGHT LAST MONTH MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME AND WITHIN A BLOCK OF OUR HOUSE SHE NOTICED A FIRE ON THE BACK OF THE CAR. THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT WAS ON FIRE. I CONTACTED VOLVO USA AND ABOUT A MONTH LATER THEY HAD AN "EXPERT" INSPECT OUR CAR. THEY WILL NOT GIVE ME A WRITTEN REPORT…
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I OWNED A 1986 240 GL VOLVO 4 DOOR SEDAN. ONE NIGHT LAST MONTH MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME AND WITHIN A BLOCK OF OUR HOUSE SHE NOTICED A FIRE ON THE BACK OF THE CAR. THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT WAS ON FIRE. I CONTACTED VOLVO USA AND ABOUT A MONTH LATER THEY HAD AN "EXPERT" INSPECT OUR CAR. THEY WILL NOT GIVE ME A WRITTEN REPORT. THE EXECUTIVE, JOSEPH (VOLVO9@MAILMW.CUSTHELP.COM) CALLED ME AND LEFT A MESSAGE SAYING THAT WE HAD TOO LARGE OF A FUSE IN THE FUSE BLOCK AND THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. I'VE TRIED REPEATEDLY TO TELL THEM THAT TOO LARGE OF A FUSE DIDN'T CAUSE THE DEAD SHORT FIRE ON OUR TAIL LIGHT. I GOOGLED TAIL LIGHT FIRES ON VOLVO'S AND FOUND SEVERAL PAGES. I'VE HAD TO SCRAP THE CAR. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WASN'T SHOCKED TO SEE THE MELTED TAIL LIGHT ON MY VOLVO. HE TOLD ME HE HAD A 1984 VOLVO JUST LIKE MINE AS HIS FIRST CAR. HE SAID HIS TOO HAD THE SAME MELTED TAIL LIGHT FIRE AS MINE.
NHTSA ODI #10992940
Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL PROCEEDED TO THE FLOOR AFTER DRIVING AT LEAST 12 MILES. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10031239
Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2002
TiresInjury
WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.(NO TIRE INFO GIVEN.(OHIO CRASH TRAFFIC REPORT)*JB
NHTSA ODI #567284
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2000
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #738530
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1999
Electrical System
WIRING HARNESS HAS DETERIORATED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848526
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 1999
SeatsFireInjury
UPON DEPRESSING DRIVER'S SEAT WARMER BUTTON, DRIVER SMELLED BURNING ODOR FOLLOWED BY FLAMES BELOW DRIVER'S SEAT, VEHICLE TOTALLY DESTROYED, INJURY TO CONSUMER.
NHTSA ODI #544514
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 1999
Electrical System
WIRING IS FAILING BOTH INSIDE AND OUT,LIGHTS MOTOR ECT!!!!
NHTSA ODI #704411
Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 1998
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
CRUISE CONTROL/SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER/AIR INTAKE SENSOR/GLOVE BOX DOOR HINGE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER INDOOR FAN/ RADIO ANTENNA/INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR/DOME LIGHT, TAIL LIGHT LENSE/CATALITIC CONVERTER/WATER PUMP/TIMING BELT/PLASTIC COVER UNDER ENGINE/WHEEL STUDS/THROTTLE CABLE/BRACKETS THAT HOLD SUNVISOR/ROCKER PANEL TRIM MOLDIN…
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CRUISE CONTROL/SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER/AIR INTAKE SENSOR/GLOVE BOX DOOR HINGE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER INDOOR FAN/ RADIO ANTENNA/INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR/DOME LIGHT, TAIL LIGHT LENSE/CATALITIC CONVERTER/WATER PUMP/TIMING BELT/PLASTIC COVER UNDER ENGINE/WHEEL STUDS/THROTTLE CABLE/BRACKETS THAT HOLD SUNVISOR/ROCKER PANEL TRIM MOLDING AROUND WHEEL WELLS/VENT LINE FOR GAS TANK, AND ALTERNATOR FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #781540
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 1998
Power Train
SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK . *AK
NHTSA ODI #830291
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 1998
SeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic
SEAT ON THE DRIVER SIDE ISN'T FIXED AND THE FRAME IS RUSTED. ALSO BRAKE PEDAL IS CORRODED. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE BRAKES AND THE SEAT. THE SEAT MIGHT BRAKE AWAY FROM THE FRAME IF THE CONSUMER WAS TO GET INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
IN THE EVENT OF A LOW SPEED FRONTAL IMPACT, ENGINE MOVEMENT COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE CABLE SLEEVE TO BE PULLED OUT OF THE ADJUSTING FITTING AND NOT RETURN TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION OR IDLE POSITION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THIS OCCURS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE SPEED WOULD RESULT, MAKING CAR DIFFICULT TO CONTROL IN A POST COLLISION ENVIRONMENT, WHICH CAN CAUSE MORE SERIOUS DAMAGE AND/OR INJURIES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REPLACE THROTTLE CABLES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
DP89009 · Fuel System Reliability
Opened Jun 13, 1989 · Closed Oct 18, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
FUEL SYSTEM RELIABILITY
1986 Volvo 240 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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