1990 Volvo 240
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1990 Volvo 240 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 5 on record.
1990 Volvo 240 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1990 Volvo 240 recalls 0
No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1990 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.
1990 Volvo 240 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1990 Volvo 240 MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 6 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1990 Volvo 240 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1990 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
INADVERT. AIR BAG DEPLOYS Closed
NHTSA #EA94015 · Air Bags · opened Apr 1994 · closed Oct 1994An 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.