AI Damage1989 Volvo 240: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Volvo 240 filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and vehicle speed control. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 17
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Vehicle speed control 18% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 12% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
- 6 Equipment 6% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (29% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 3 complaints (18% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (12% of all).
- Seats: 2 complaints (12% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (6% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 17 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
After starting vehicle, the throttle and/or linkage stuck, causing the vehicle to increase in speed, resulting in an accident.
Vehicle went into open throttle position, impact 12:00 position speed unknown. Replaced idle air control valve. Tt
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.
Tl 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.
Tl 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.
Need new blower motor fan and fan wheel installed. See nhtsa item #sb015770, sb019152
Problems with slipping/no reverse. See nhtsa item # sb028389 &sb025086. Also refer to technical service bulletin atratb143 issued nov. 1992.
I should be reimbursed for services-see nhtsa item #sb012762
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 8,820 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 240 has 9 complaints (15 years in the data). This year has 17, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Volvo 240?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, vehicle speed control, powertrain. Total complaints: 17. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (12%), door locks, latches, handles (6%), rust, corrosion (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 Volvo 240?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1989 Volvo 240 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1989 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.