1985 Volvo 240
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1985 Volvo 240 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.
1985 Volvo 240 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1985 Volvo 240 recalls 1
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.
Fix: REPLACE THROTTLE CABLES.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1985 Volvo 240 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1985 Volvo 240 — ranges cover the 6 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
FUEL SYSTEM RELIABILITY Closed
FUEL SYSTEM RELIABILITY
NHTSA #DP89009 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Jun 1989 · closed Oct 1989SUDDEN ACCELERATION Closed
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 INPU…
NHTSA #PE86050 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Apr 1986 · closed Oct 1986An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 64
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 64.
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Bulletin 356EN01 · Equipment · Feb 2022Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
Bulletin Service Manager · Electrical System, Equipment · Feb 2022Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely…
Bulletin ST-001-2020-09-1 · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Sep 2020Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely…
Bulletin ST-001-2020-06-2 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Jul 2020Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely…
Bulletin ST-001-2020-01-2 · Equipment · Jan 2020This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the…
Bulletin TJ31946.1.2-2019 · Electrical System · Nov 2019This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the…
Bulletin TJ31946.1.1-2019 · Electrical System · Nov 2019This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Technician Skillset Requirments
Bulletin SMB00-438-2019-1 · Equipment · Nov 2019Software Installation Policy changes.
Bulletin SMB00-006-2019-1 · Electrical System · Nov 2019Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely…
Bulletin ST-001-2019-10-1 · Equipment · Oct 2019Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 240. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
About the Volvo 240
The Volvo 200 Series was a range of mid-size cars manufactured by Swedish automaker Volvo Cars from 1974 to 1993. Designed by Jan Wilsgaard, the series was developed from the Volvo 140 Series and incorporated safety innovations from Volvo's VESC experimental safety vehicle program.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.