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Volvo 240Model year report

1986 Volvo 240 Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
155,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 20 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Volvo 240 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1986 Volvo 240. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (33% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (3) and brakes (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 155,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 64 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Cruise control/speedometer and odometer/air intake sensor/glove box door hinge heater/air conditioner indoor fan/ radio antenna/inside rear view mirror/dome light, tail light lense/catalitic converter/water pump/timing belt/plastic cover under engine/wheel studs/throttle cable/brackets that hold sunvisor/rocker panel trim molding around wheel wells/vent line for gas tank, and alternator failed.”

NHTSA complaint #781540, filed 1998-11

Brakes: “Seat on the driver side isn't fixed and the frame is rusted. Also brake pedal is corroded. The consumer is concerned about the brakes and the seat. The seat might brake away from the frame if the consumer was to get involved in an accident.”

NHTSA complaint #829068, filed 1998-10

Seats: “Upon depressing driver's seat warmer button, driver smelled burning odor followed by flames below driver's seat, vehicle totally destroyed, injury to consumer.”

NHTSA complaint #544514, filed 1999-03

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 155,000 and 155,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–150100%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 155,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

1995199619983199932000200220032017
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1986 Volvo 240 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
240 DL/240 GL RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed manual202622$3,050
240 DL/240 GL RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182220$3,350
240 DL/240 GL Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed manual202622$3,050
240 DL/240 GL Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182220$3,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1986 Volvo 240 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 64 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 64 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volvo 240

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
19931450—21—Not enough data
199222159,5250—21—Stable
199117175,5000—21—Stable
199020129,0000—20—Stable
19891778,0000—20—Stable
198810102,0000—21—Not enough data
19876—0—22—Not enough data
198612155,0001—22—Not enough data
19845—0—20—Not enough data
19836—0———Not enough data

All Volvo 240 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Volvo 240 have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1986 Volvo 240 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1986 Volvo 240 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (33% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 3.

Has the 1986 Volvo 240 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1986 Volvo 240 get?

The EPA rates the 1986 Volvo 240 (240 DL/240 GL, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Volvo 240 reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 155,000 miles and the middle half falls between 155,000 and 155,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.