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: 2 of 17 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 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. 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.
2 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
17 reports
140,000 miles · Dec 20, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 VOLVO 240 DL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DIFFERENTIAL FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE AND ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION NEAR THE REAR AXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 VOLVO 240 DL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DIFFERENTIAL FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE AND ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION NEAR THE REAR AXLE AND DIFFERENTIAL COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10440562
Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2010
Equipment
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1989 VOLVO 240 DL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GASKETS OF THE WALKER PART NUMBER 35145 EXHAUST RUBBER INSULATOR HANGERS FOR THE REAR MUFFLER HAD CRACKED AND DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1989 VOLVO 240 DL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GASKETS OF THE WALKER PART NUMBER 35145 EXHAUST RUBBER INSULATOR HANGERS FOR THE REAR MUFFLER HAD CRACKED AND DISINTEGRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA ODI #10371830
16,000 miles · Jun 24, 2009
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 VOLVO 240. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE GPH TIRES, SIZE P195/65/R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SOUND WAS SIMILAR TO A FLAPPING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN PERFORMING DIFFERENTLY. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 VOLVO 240. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR EAGLE GPH TIRES, SIZE P195/65/R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE SOUND WAS SIMILAR TO A FLAPPING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN PERFORMING DIFFERENTLY. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS SHREDDED AROUND THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS LISTED FOR HER PARTICULAR TIRE SIZE; HOWEVER, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE P195/60/R15 SIZE TIRE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 16,000.
NHTSA ODI #10274830
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
NEED NEW BLOWER MOTOR FAN AND FAN WHEEL INSTALLED. SEE NHTSA ITEM #SB015770, SB019152
NHTSA ODI #733804
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
REIMBURSEMENT REQUESTED. SEE NHTSA ITEM #SB023184,SB028386, SB028388, SB036283,SB019139, SB026140,SB028385. ALSO REFER TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 225913X ISSUED FEB. 1995.
NHTSA ODI #733799
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2000
Power Train
PROBLEMS WITH SLIPPING/NO REVERSE. SEE NHTSA ITEM # SB028389 &SB025086. ALSO REFER TO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ATRATB143 ISSUED NOV. 1992.
NHTSA ODI #733796
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR SERVICES-SEE NHTSA ITEM #SB012762
NHTSA ODI #733779
Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 1999
Seats
CONDITION OF SEAT IS A SAFETY VIOLATION IN VA AND MUST BE CORRECTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #704901
Mileage unknown · Nov 19, 1998
Seats
DRIVER SEAT BACK FRAME BROKE, CAUSING SEAT TO FALL BACK AT AN ANGLE ON ONE SIDE. DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #831075
Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 1998
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
AIR MASS FLOW SENSOR/ COMPUTER AND FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED. 0
NHTSA ODI #781539
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1989 Volvo 240 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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