Volvo2401991Overview/volvo/240/1991/base/

1991 Volvo 240

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 240.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1991 Volvo 240 is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission and delivers an EPA-rated fuel economy of 18/23/20 mpg. Technical specifications for the vehicle include a 4.0-quart oil capacity compatible with 15W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 API viscosities. With zero recalls and 17 owner complaints—primarily concerning air bags—the 1991 model sits within a period of improving reliability, positioned between the 1990 peak of 21 complaints and the 1994 low of two.

Model year1993199219911990

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/23/20 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.8 in
Overall width67.3 in
Overall height56.3 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight2919 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 23 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.4 Pints, non_mvc
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

At 5,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)
Every 5,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Radio Antenna (clean) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 20,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Driveshaft Support Bearing (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 55,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEGR System (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · PCV System (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1991 Volvo 240 shows a modest improvement over its 1990 predecessor in complaint volume (17 vs. 21), though both years generated identical numbers of TSBs (64), indicating persistent service issues across the model run. Notably, 1991 actually recorded the highest number of NHTSA investigations (2) in this three-year window, even exceeding 1994 (0), which may reflect emerging safety concerns being probed rather than resolved problems. Air bags dominate the complaint landscape, accounting for 6 of 17 total complaints—an noteworthy trend given the era's airbag technology maturation. The presence of 7 crash-related complaints and 1 fire complaint, alongside brake and speed control issues, suggests a broader reliability profile requiring careful inspection. By 1994, complaints had dropped dramatically to 2 with TSBs at 10, indicating the platform had substantially matured. The 1991 model represents a transitional year—better than 1990 but still carrying the generation's earlier growing pains—making it a decent buy if thoroughly vetted for airbag, electrical, and brake systems, though a later-year example may offer fewer unresolved teething issues.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
64
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
17
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 17 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Air Bags6
Electrical System4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Exterior Lighting,Air Bags,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Seats1
Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 64 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
356EN012022-02-09EquipmentVIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
Service Manager2022-02-03Electrical SystemShipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery…
ST-001-2020-09-12020-09-18EquipmentMandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians…
ST-001-2020-06-22020-07-02Equipment Adaptive/MobilityMandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians…
ST-001-2020-01-22020-01-30EquipmentMandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 240. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 240 take?

4.0 qt of ABOVE 0 degrees F: 15W-40 API, -14 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 68 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 240 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 240 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined mpg.