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Volvo 240Model year report

1989 Volvo 240 Problems

Complaints
17filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
78,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 18 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Volvo 240 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1989 Volvo 240. The part named most often is electrical system, with 5 complaints (29% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (3) and seats (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 78,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. 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.

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

Vehicle speed control: “Reimbursement requested. See NHTSA item #sb023184,sb028386, sb028388, sb036283,sb019139, sb026140,sb028385. Also refer to technical service bulletin 225913x issued feb. 1995.”

NHTSA complaint #733799, filed 2000-10

Transmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 1989 Volvo 240 dl. The contact stated that differential fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who confirmed the failure and also discovered that there was corrosion near the rear axle and differential cover. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 140,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10440562, filed 2011-12, 140,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,000 and 140,000 miles.

0%0–1050%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–10050%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 78,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

1995199619971998199920004200920102011
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 1989 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 manual192621$3,200
240 DL/240 GL RWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual182521$3,200
240 DL/240 GL RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic172219$3,550
240 DL/240 GL Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual182521$3,200
240 DL/240 GL Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual182420$3,350
240 DL/240 GL Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic172219$3,550
240 DL/240 GL Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic162218$3,700

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 1989 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.

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 1989 Volvo 240 have?

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1989 Volvo 240 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1989 Volvo 240 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 5 complaints (29% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 3.

Has the 1989 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 1989 Volvo 240 get?

The EPA rates the 1989 Volvo 240 (240 DL/240 GL Wagon, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Volvo 240 reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 78,000 miles and the middle half falls between 16,000 and 140,000 miles; 50% 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.