1990 Volvo 240 problems

Filed Nov 4, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 129,000 miles · MD · crash · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 1990 volvo 240 wagon. The contact stated that the battery was continuously failing. The vehicle was taken to a service station for inspection. The mechanic advised the contact to drive the vehicle into the service bay area. As soon as she shifted from park, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact applied the brakes but the vehicle did not respond. The contact made a hard left turn to avoid crashing into the front entrance of the shop and crashed into a wall instead. The building immediately became filled with white smoke and a strong odor of burning rubber. The vehicle only came to a stop due to the obstructions but was still attempting to accelerate. The contact had to be extracted from the vehicle by emergency responders with a sledge hammer, and the wall had to be opened in order to remove the contact from the vehicle. The vehicle was still attempting to accelerate when the contact was removed. However, the vehicle was unable to move any further due to the obstruction of the wall. The ambulance arrived to the scene but because the contact was in a state of shock, refused medical transport. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a police report was filed of the incident. The failure was neither diagnosed nor duplicated. The failure mileage was 129,000.

Filed Oct 27, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 129,577 miles · MD · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 1990 volvo 240. The contact stated that when shifting from park, the vehicle began to accelerate and the brakes failed. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the glass doors of the auto department and through the building. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The mechanic was unable diagnose the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000. Updated 01/05/14*lj the consumer stated the vehicle was initially brought in for repairs due to the vehicle constantly shutting off.

Filed Oct 30, 2011 · Tires · 2,000 miles · VA

Goodyear viva 2 tires from walmart have gone out-of-round repeatedly. The mechanics at another tire shop say they see this all the time with walmart goodyears. I gave up on warranty replacements, since they also fail, and I have two daughters and a wife driving these cars with failing tires. I sacrificed the warranties and put kumhos on the cars. I have 6 volvo 240s and all of them have had failures of walmart tires. Goodyear, douglas and uniroyal. 185 -70 - 14. In every case the tires go out-of-round and cannot be balanced. They wobble and shake, because of bubbles in the sidewalls and the tread face, or flat spots in the tread face, where the belts or bands inside the tire are separating and the tire structure itself is failing. In every case the tires are a few months old and still have the brand new mold nipples, and the tread depth is almost brand new. I have taken the cars to front end alignment shops and none of them needed suspension parts or alignment - it has been tire failure shaking the cars. I have had at least 8 of these tires fail in this manner.

Filed Aug 5, 2003 · Acceleration · CA · crash

Consumer stated that when trying to reverse and without warning vehicle accelerated, causing an accident. Dealer notified.

Filed Sep 19, 2002 · Brakes · KY · crash

While driving brakes failed, causing a collision. Vehicle checked by dealer who determined that 3 failed components; master cylinder/ left front caliper, and "booster".

Filed May 17, 2001 · Lights · TX

Consumer states he has been having numerous problems with rear tail lights, turn signal assemblies and the front marker light, consumer states that the materials that are being used are very brittle, consumer states over the last 18 months he has noticed numerous cracks, surface distortions, and clouding, also water enters the lens/refelctor assemblies and has further aggravated the problem by introducing road contaminates into the lens housing, as well as causing numerus premature bulb failures.

Filed Feb 27, 2001 · Seats · FL

While seating in driver seat noticed seat rocking soon after when seat broke in half. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide further information.

Filed Oct 23, 1999 · Brakes · CA

I'm reporting this problem with the volvo (240 dl) because I feel it's a safety issue. When the controller goes out on these vehicles the cars no longer operate, thus creating a very serious hazard, especially if one is traveling on a congested highway. This has been problem with the volvo 240 dl through 1988 until 1992. Volvo has not recalled any of these cars or corrected the problem, and volvo is perfectly aware of this problem. Several mechanics and research have indicated to me that the emissions controllers and supporting devices have been failing on these cars. The parts are computerized electronic devices and are very expensive to replace. My last emissions repairs have cost me $1100.00. Failure of the controller prevents the car from operating.

Filed Feb 2, 1998 · Seats · NJ

While driving at highway speed the back of the driver's seat fell off. The dealer replaced a bolt but now the seat back appears ready to fall again.

Filed Nov 10, 1997 · Transmission · IL · crash

While parked with key out of the ignition, consumer's child was able to take the vehicle out of the park position to the neutral position, causing an accident.