Skip to content
Volvo 240Model year report

1988 Volvo 240 Problems

Complaints
10filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
102,000miles, 3 complaints with mileage
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
21 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 19 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Volvo 240 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1988 Volvo 240. The part named most often is tires, with 2 complaints (20% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (2) and brakes (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 102,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 63 technical service bulletins for this model year. Tires complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.

Example complaints

Tires: “The contact owns a 1988 Volvo 240. The vehicle has goodyear integrity, size 175/70r13 tires. Six months after purchasing new tires, they deflated. The contact returned to where she purchased the tires to have them inflated. The tires were rotated and inflated again five days later. There were no recalls on the tires. The current mileage was 228,000 and failure mileage was 222,350. Updated 02-14-08. Updated 02/14/08”

NHTSA complaint #10214783, filed 2008-01, 222,350 miles

Vehicle speed control: “When shifted into reverse, car suddenly accelerated into neighbor's driveway, into their garage, causing vehicle and property damage. When shifted into drive, vehicle again accelerated uncontrollably back into our home's garage, hitting our second vehicle. Two of our vehicles damaged (including Volvo), two neighbor's vehicles damaged, as well as structural damage to neighbor's garage.”

NHTSA complaint #727703, filed 2000-08

Engine cooling: “- the contact owns a1988 Volvo 240 dl. The rear camshaft seal failed. The contact was driving at 45 MPH under dry conditions when he smelled smoke. The contact then pulled over an looked under the hood and saw oil leaking on the exhaust system. The vehicle was towed to his home where he found that the rear camshaft seal had failed. The contact ordered the part from the dealer and repaired it. Updated 02/13/07.”

NHTSA complaint #10178287, filed 2007-01, 102,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 222,350 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5033%50–750%75–10033%100–15033%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 102,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

1995199721998200020012005200720082014
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 1988 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-cyl5-speed manual192521$3,200
240 DL/240 GL RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182219$3,550
240 DL/240 GL Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual192622$3,050
240 DL/240 GL Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182219$3,550

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 1988 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

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. 63 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 63 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 1988 Volvo 240 have?

NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1988 Volvo 240 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1988 Volvo 240 is reported most often?

Tires is named most often, in 2 complaints (20% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 2.

Has the 1988 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 1988 Volvo 240 get?

The EPA rates the 1988 Volvo 240 (240 DL/240 GL, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Volvo 240 reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 102,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 222,350 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 29, 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.