Volvo2401993Overview/volvo/240/1993/base/

1993 Volvo 240

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1993 240.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1993 Volvo 240 stands as a passenger car configured with an automatic 4-speed transmission and an engine requiring 4.0 quarts of 15W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 API oil. EPA fuel economy figures for this configuration are rated at 18/23/20 mpg, establishing the efficiency baseline for the model year. Within the 1990-1994 model complaint history, this specific year documents 22 total owner complaints with air bags identified as the top complaint area, while the broader period records a high of 21 complaints in 1990 and a low of 2 in 1994. The absence of any recalls alongside these figures frames the 1993 model as a distinct iteration in the vehicle's reliability history, characterized by owner-reported issues rather than regulatory actions.

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 length190.6 in
Overall width67.3 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight2954 lb

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 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 10,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 20,000 miBattery (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Driveshaft Support Bearing (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · EGR Valve (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 50,000 miTiming Belt (replace)
At 60,000 miEGR System (inspect) · EGR Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miFuel 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 1993 Volvo 240 occupies a notable position in its generation’s federal safety record, particularly when compared to the preceding and subsequent model years. Complaints spiked in 1990 (21) and 1991 (17), with investigations also peaking in 1991 (2), before dropping sharply by 1994 (2 complaints, 0 recalls or investigations). The 1993 model year, though not explicitly detailed in complaint volume here, aligns with the tail end of this elevated concern, as its top issues—air bags (4 complaints), vehicle speed control, tires, and seat belts (2 each)—reflect persistent but not escalating trends. Crash-related complaints (4) suggest some durability concerns, though fire-related incidents were absent. The data implies 1993 may have benefited from mid-cycle refinements but still carries legacy risks from earlier years. **Takeaway:** While not the cleanest year, 1993 appears to be a relatively stable choice within this generation, provided air bag and safety system inspections are prioritized.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
67
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
22
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 22 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags4
Vehicle Speed Control2
Tires2
Seat Belts2
Exterior Lighting2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Wheels1
Engine & Engine Cooling1

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 67 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 1993 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 1993 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.