The 1985 Volvo 240 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 89,587 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
IN THE EVENT OF A LOW SPEED FRONTAL IMPACT, ENGINE MOVEMENT COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE CABLE SLEEVE TO BE PULLED OUT OF THE ADJUSTING FITTING AND NOT RETURN TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION OR IDLE POSITION. CONSEQUENCE OF…
REPLACE THROTTLE CABLES.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Following multiple breakdowns failed insulation on exposed electrical wires in close proximity to the fuel injection system and alternator were found. I believe this to be a dangerous situation which could lead to fire and have taken the car off the road pending repair. I searched google for volvo…”
“Radiator failure.”
“Replaced brake pad.”
“Transmission failure. *ak”
“Turbo-charger failure.”
“Replaced brake rotor.”
“While backing out, with foot applied to brake, without pressing gas, suddenly engine surged then accelerated out of control, hitting a house, in reverse. *ak”
“Poor wire insulation for engine wire harness crumbles away.”
FUEL SYSTEM RELIABILITY
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:A SEARCH OF THE ODI FILES FOUNDNO RECALLS AND ONE SERVICE BULLETIN DATED JUNE 1985, PERTAINING TO 1980740'S THAT ARE PREWIRED.THE BULLETIN GIVES THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR WIRINGIN THE CRUISE CONTROL PEDAL SWITCH CONNECTION.ANALYSIS:THE REVIEW OF THE OWNER COMPALINTS INDICATES THE…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1985 Volvo 240 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.