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 4 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 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 1 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 reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
4 reports
188,192 miles · Apr 29, 2004
Electrical System
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 MAN…
Read full complaint
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.
NHTSA ODI #10068043
Mileage unknown · May 14, 1998
Electrical System
POOR WIRE INSULATION FOR ENGINE WIRE HARNESS CRUMBLES AWAY.
NHTSA ODI #535608
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 1996
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE BACKING OUT, WITH FOOT APPLIED TO BRAKE, WITHOUT PRESSING GAS, SUDDENLY ENGINE SURGED THEN ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL, HITTING A HOUSE, IN REVERSE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #980883
Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 1995
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
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
2
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
PE86050 · Sudden Acceleration
Opened Apr 28, 1986 · Closed Oct 1, 1986
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:A SEARCH OF THE ODI FILES FOUNDNO RECALLS AND ONE SERVICE BULLETIN DATED JUNE 1985, PERTAINING TO 1980740'S THAT ARE PREWIRED.THE BULLETIN GIVES THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR WIRINGIN THE CRUISE CONTROL PEDAL SWITCH CONNECTION.ANALYSIS:THE REVIEW OF THE OWNER COMPALINTS INDICATES THE POSSIBLEEXISTENCE OF A DEFECT IN WHICH THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS A SUDDEN ACCELERATIONWITH NO DRIVER INPUT.PROPOSED ACTION:OPEN A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION.
1985 Volvo 240 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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