1987 Volvo 240 problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

1987 Volvo 240 at a glance

Safety recallsNone

Owner complaints7

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1987 Volvo 240 recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1987 Volvo 240.

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.

1987 Volvo 240 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Exterior Lighting

Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

Equipment

Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Structure

Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

Seat Belts

Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

Dimensions & weight

Length

189.8–190.6 in

Width

67.3 in

Height

56.3–57.5 in

Wheelbase

104.3 in

Curb weight

2,917–3,040 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1987 Volvo 240 — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

FUEL SYSTEM RELIABILITY Closed

FUEL SYSTEM RELIABILITY

NHTSA #DP89009 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Jun 1989 · closed Oct 1989

An 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.

VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App

Bulletin 356EN01 · Equipment · Feb 2022

Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)

Bulletin Service Manager · Electrical System, Equipment · Feb 2022

Mandatory 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 2020

Mandatory 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 2020

Mandatory 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 2020

This 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 2019

This 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 2019

This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Technician Skillset Requirments

Bulletin SMB00-438-2019-1 · Equipment · Nov 2019

Software Installation Policy changes.

Bulletin SMB00-006-2019-1 · Electrical System · Nov 2019

Mandatory 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 2019

Source: 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.

1987 Volvo 240 vehicles on record

1987 Volvo 240YV1245773H1729236

1987 Volvo 240YV1244883H1248707

1987 Volvo 240YV1AX884XH1254501

1987 Volvo 240YV1244773H1231008

Other Volvo 240 model years

2009 2001 1993 1992 1990 1988 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981

1987 Volvo 240 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1987 Volvo 240 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1987 Volvo 240. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1987 Volvo 240?

Across all 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, exterior lighting, equipment.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.