RecallPlainVehicle recalls, explained in plain English

1990 Volvo 240 recalls & complaints

21 owner complaints on file. Recall list must be checked by VIN (see below).
0recalls
0high risk
0stop-driving
21complaints

Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.

Recalls: check by VIN

NHTSA files recalls for the Volvo 240 under individual trim or body names rather than "240", so we can't match them automatically. Enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the definitive list. The owner complaints below are matched correctly.

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Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

21complaints
5crashes
2fires
1injuries
0deaths

Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (7), Vehicle Speed Control (5), Brakes (3), Seats (3), Wheels / tires (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.

Read recent complaints (8)

11/04/2014 · Electrical system · crash · fire
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 VEHI…

10/27/2014 · Electrical system · crash
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…

10/30/2011 · Wheels / tires
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…

08/05/2003 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO REVERSE AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE ACCELERATED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

09/19/2002 · Brakes · crash
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

05/17/2001 · Lights
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…

02/27/2001 · Seats
WHILE SEATING IN DRIVER SEAT NOTICED SEAT ROCKING SOON AFTER WHEN SEAT BROKE IN HALF. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

10/23/1999 · Brakes
I'M REPORTING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE VOLVO (240 DL) BECAUSE I FEEL IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN THE CONTROLLER GOES OUT ON THESE VEHICLES THE CARS NO LONGER OPERATE, THUS CREATING A VERY SERIOUS HAZARD, ESPECIALLY IF ONE IS TRAVELING ON A CONGESTED HIGHWAY. THIS HAS BEEN PROBLEM WITH THE VOLVO 240 DL THROUGH 1988 UNTIL 1992. VOLVO HAS NOT RECALLED ANY OF THESE…

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