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Volvo 240Model year report

1991 Volvo 240 Problems

Complaints
17filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
175,500miles, 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
21 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 19 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Volvo 240 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1991 Volvo 240. The part named most often is air bags, with 7 complaints (41% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and brakes (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 175,500 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 64 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 NHTSA investigations and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. 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

Air bags: “While driving air bags deployed automatically at 10 MPH in bumper to bumper traffic. There was also a chemical burning smell inside the vehicle. The srs light illuminated intermittently.”

NHTSA complaint #10094985, filed 2004-10

Electrical system: “Car was in driveway warming up prior to driving for school. After about 5 to 10 minutes dash caught fire and flames were coming for heater vents. Used a garden hose to extinguish fire and fire department was called. Dash and interior was damaged buy smoke, water and fire.”

NHTSA complaint #10149443, filed 2006-02, 151,000 miles

Brakes: “When pulling into parking space, at 5 MPH, applied brakes and they went to the floor, hit a concrete wall, airbag deployed. Vehicle was totalled. Dealer not aware of problem. Rear brake pads and rotors have been replace several times during life of vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #844735, filed 1999-08

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 151,000 and 200,000 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 (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 175,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

1995519961997199819992004200620152018
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 1991 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 RWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual192621$3,200
240 RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182320$3,350
240 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual192622$3,050
240 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182320$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 1991 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. 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 1991 Volvo 240 have?

NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 1991 Volvo 240 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1991 Volvo 240 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 7 complaints (41% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.

Has the 1991 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 1991 Volvo 240 get?

The EPA rates the 1991 Volvo 240 (240, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 26 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 1991 Volvo 240 reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 175,500 miles and the middle half falls between 151,000 and 200,000 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 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.