1987 Volvo 240 Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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 · 19 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Volvo 240 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1987 Volvo 240. The part named most often is electrical system, with 1 complaints (17% of the total), followed by equipment (1) and exterior lighting (1). NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 64 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Equipment complaints overlap with 49 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.
- Electrical system1 17%
- Equipment1 17%
- Exterior lighting1 17%
- Seat belts1 17%
- Body and structure1 17%
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 240 DL/240 GL RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| 240 DL/240 GL RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 22 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 240 DL/240 GL Wagon RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| 240 DL/240 GL Wagon RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 23 | 20 | $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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1987 Volvo 240 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- DP89009Fuel system reliabilityClosed · Jun 13, 1989
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.
- 10212891Feb 9, 2022Equipment. VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
- 10212892Feb 3, 2022Electrical system, Equipment. Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
- 10181041Sep 18, 2020Equipment. 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…
- 10178503Jul 2, 2020Equipment. 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…
- 10171676Jan 30, 2020Equipment. 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…
- 10169394Nov 19, 2019Electrical system. 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…
- 10169393Nov 14, 2019Electrical system. 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…
- 10169391Nov 9, 2019Electrical system. Software Installation Policy changes.
- 10169389Nov 9, 2019Equipment. This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Technician Skillset Requirments
- 10169036Oct 17, 2019Equipment. 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…
Other model years of the Volvo 240
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 14 | 5 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 22 | 159,525 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 17 | 175,500 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 20 | 129,000 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 17 | 78,000 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 10 | 102,000 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 6 | — | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 12 | 155,000 | 1 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1983 | 6 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Volvo 240 have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1987 Volvo 240 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Volvo 240 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 1 complaints (17% of the total), followed by equipment with 1.
Has the 1987 Volvo 240 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Volvo 240 get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Volvo 240 (240 DL/240 GL, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 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.
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.