The installation of the wire harness is crumbling into dust and the wires are exposed underneath the engine compartment. The dealership is aware of the problem.*Jb. Consumer stated the main power from alternator to starter had bad insulation and major portions of the copper cable were exposed, virtually the fuel injection, ignition, and emission controls were in the same condition, with the engine running, consumer saw sparks at night when harness was agitated.*Jb
Vehicle safety record
1983 Volvo 240 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 1983 Volvo 240 with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (5) and the transmission & drivetrain (1). Those complaints describe 1 fire. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 1982 has 2 and the 1984 has 6.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical 240 year, for its age
#7 most complained-about 1983 vehicle
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1983 Volvo 240 problems
Share of all 6 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
No recalls for the 1983 Volvo 240
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1983 Volvo 240. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.
What owners say
Be the first 240 owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
6 complaints about the 1983 Volvo 240
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Improper design of the cable caused the clutch cable to fail. Yh
I need recall #84v017000 dated 03/84 on this 1983 volvo glt please. I want to be able to read the recall verbatim that was published re:electrical system,alternator;regulator;starter. Thank you very much for help to me on this matter.
WIRING HARNESS FAILURE.
Vehicle stalls at low speeds and there are no brakes when this happens. Tt
WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT FIRE. TT
Volvo 240: every year compared
All 240 years1983 Volvo 240 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 Volvo 240 | 6 | 0 | C | |
| 1983 Volvo DL | 3 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 1983 Volvo 242 | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1983 Volvo 244 | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1983 Volvo 245 | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1983 Volvo 240
Does the 1983 Volvo 240 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1983 Volvo 240 right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 1983 Volvo 240?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (5), transmission & drivetrain (1).
How many complaints has the 1983 Volvo 240 had?
6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 9, 1995 and the latest on May 23, 2002. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1983 Volvo 240 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 45 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Volvo 240 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Volvo 240 years have the most complaints?
1990 (20), 1989 (17), 1991 (17). See every Volvo 240 year compared.
What should I do if my 1983 Volvo 240 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data