Volvo Gl problems

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The Volvo 200 Series (or 240 and 260 Series) is a range of mid-size cars produced by Swedish company Volvo Cars from 1974 until 1993, with more than 2.8 million total units sold worldwide. Like the Volvo 140 Series (1966 to 1974), from which it was developed, it was designed by Jan Wilsgaard.

The series overlapped production of the Volvo 700 Series (1982 to 1992). As the 240 Series remained popular, only the 260 Series was displaced by the 700 Series, which Volvo marketed alongside the 240 for another decade. The 700 was replaced by the 900 Series in 1992, a year before the 240 was discontinued. Production of the 240 ended on 14 May 1993, after nearly 20 years, with the basic platform and architecture lasting 27 years, if the production run of the original 140 Series is aggregated.

History

The Volvo 240 and 260 series were introduced in the autumn of 1974, and was initially available as six variations of the 240 Series (242L, 242DL, 244DL, 244GL, 245L and 245DL) and two variations of the 260 Series (264DL and 264GL). The 240 Series was available as a sedan (with two or four doors) or a station wagon, however, the 260 Series was available as a coupé (262C Bertone), two-door sedan, four-door sedan, or station wagon. The 200 looked much like the earlier 140 and 164, they shared the same basic body shell and were largely identical from the cowl rearward. However, the 200 incorporated many of the features and design elements tried in the Volvo VESC ESV in 1972, which was a prototype experiment in car safety. The overall safety of the driver and passengers in the event of a crash was greatly improved with very large front and rear end crumple zones. Another main change was the new engines offered, which were of an overhead cam design based on the earlier B20. The 260 series also received a V6 engine in lieu of the 164's inline-six.

The 200 Series had MacPherson strut-type front suspension, which increased room around the engine bay, while the rear suspension was a modified version of that fitted to the 140 Series. The steering was greatly improved with the introduction of rack-and-pinion steering, with power steering fitted as standard to the 244GL, 264DL and 264GL, and there were some modifications made to the braking system (in particular the master cylinder).

The front end of the car was also completely restyled with a "shovel nose" which closely resembled that of the VESC prototype vehicle – that being the most obvious change which made the 200 Series distinguishable from the earlier 140 and 160 Series. Other than all the changes mentioned above, the 200 Series was almost identical to the 140 and 160 Series from the bulkhead to the very rear end. In 1978, a facelift meant a redesigned rear end for sedans, with wraparound taillights and a trunk opening with a lower lip. The dashboard was derived from the safety fascia introduced for the 1973 model year 100 Series - the main change for the 200 Series was the adoption of slatted "egg crate" style air vents in place of the eyeball style vents used in the 140/160 and the square clock. All models were available with a choice of four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic transmission. Overdrive was also optional on the manual 244GL, while a five-speed manual gearbox was optional on the 264GL and 265GL.

In the autumn of 1975 (for the 1976 model year in America), the 265 DL estate became available alongside the existing range, and this was the first production Volvo estate to be powered by a six-cylinder engine. The choice of gearboxes was also improved, with overdrive now available as an option in all manual models except the base-model 242L and 245L. As before, a three-speed automatic was optional in every model. The B21A engine gained three horsepower; a new steering wheel and gearknob were also introduced.

At the 1976 Paris Motor Show Bertone first showed the stretched 264 TE, a seven-seat limousine on a 3,430 mm (135.0 in) wheelbase, although it had entered production earlier. The raw bodies were sent from Sweden to Grugliasco for lengthening, reinforcing, and finishing. Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden used one, as did much of East Germany's political leadership.

For 1977 the B19A engine with 90 PS (66 kW) replaced the B20A in most markets, although the old pushrod type soldiered on for another two years in some places. This is also the year that the sportier 242 GT arrived.

In 1978 the grille was altered, now with a chrome surround. Rear view mirrors were now black, while the front seats were changed as were the emblems, while interval wipers were introduced. 1978 models were also the first 240s to receive a new paint formula, to help solve the severe rust problems in previous model years.

The 1979 model year brought a full facelift front and rear, the most obvious change being the adoption of flush fitting square headlamps on the DL or rectangular headlamps on the GL, GLE in place of the recessed circular units. The sedans received new wraparound rear lamp clusters and a restyled leading edge to the trunk lid, while the rear of the wagons remained unchanged. The GLE was added while the L was cancelled, and the six-cylinder diesel arrived late in the year. For 1980, the sporty GLT arrived, replacing the GT. For 1981 there was yet another new grille, while the station wagons received new, wraparound taillights. The B21A gained some four horsepower, now 106 PS (78 kW), while the carburetted B23A with 112 PS (82 kW) was introduced in some markets. The Turbo arrived, while six-cylinder models now had a more powerful 2.8-liter engine. 1981 also saw the dashboard altered significantly, which a much larger binnacle in order to bring the radio and clock within the driver's line of sight. The instrument pod itself, which had been unaltered since the 1973 model year 100 Series, was also redesigned.

Incremental improvements were made almost every year of the production run. One of the major improvements was the introduction of the oxygen sensor in North America in late 1976 (1977 models), which Volvo called Lambda Sond and developed in conjunction with Bosch. It added a feedback loop to the Jetronic fuel injection system already in use, which allowed fine-tuning of the air and fuel mixture and therefore produced superior emissions, drivability and fuel economy.

For the 1983 model year, Volvo dropped the DL and GLE labels, selling the cars simply as 240s. In the domestic Swedish market, the 240 could be had with a 2.1 or 2.3-liter engine (more options were available in export), but the bigger engine always came coupled with a five-speed transmission and tinted windows. The 1983s also received wider side trim and all models had the larger taillights introduced on the previous year's GLT model. A B23E-engined GLE variant was also added (not available with two doors). Buyers protested against the lack of grades and they returned for 1984. A new manual gearbox also arrived for 1984, while a four-speed automatic option was available in the GL. The GLT and Turbo versions received a taller grille.

While Volvo had been planning to discontinue the 200-series since the early 1980s, the design kept selling well and Volvo provided steady updates. In late 1991, for the 1992 model year, it received 160 detail improvements including changes to the heater controls, heated rear view mirrors, and revised front seats. For the final, 1993 model year, air conditioning units were upgraded to use R-134a rather than the ozone-depleting R-12 (Freon).

About one-third of all 240s sold were station wagons, which featured very large cargo space of 41 cubic feet (1.2 m3). They could be outfitted with a rear-facing foldable jumpseat in the passenger area, making the wagon a seven-passenger vehicle. The jumpseat came with three-point seat belts, and wagons were designed to have a reinforced floor section, protecting the occupants of the jumpseat in the event of a rear-end collision.

A 1993 Volvo 240DL was driven by IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad, who stopped driving it when he was told the car was too dangerous due to outdated safety design two decades later.

The last 200 produced was a blue station wagon built to the Italian specification and named the "Polar Italia", currently displayed at the Volvo World Museum. It was manufactured the 14th May 1993.

photo of Volvo Gl car production

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Volvo Gl model years

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Gl 1990
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Gl 1984
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Common Volvo Gl problems

The Volvo GL cars, including the 740 and 940 models, are known for several common problems based on complaints from owners. Here are some of the issues in detail:

  • Engine randomly cutting out: The car may go through a phase of cutting out, with the engine revs dying away so that it's on the verge of cutting out. After restarting, the engine would run fine for a short period before the same issue occurs. New leads, plugs, and cleaning out the distributor cap seemed to solve this problem.
  • Rough idle: The engine may run a bit rough, especially when cold, with a lumpy idle. This issue could be related to the unconnected single white wire that connects to a sensor on the engine block under the inlet manifold. The owner in the forum thread was unsure where this wire should be connected, and it's possible that connecting it correctly could help resolve the running issue.
  • Fuel injection relay: The main fuel pump relay can be a problematic component in Volvo GL cars. It's recommended to clean the fuses in the fuse box annually to prevent numerous problems associated with it.
  • Heater blower motor: The heater blower motor in Volvo GL cars is known for failing over time. Replacing the motor can take several hours for experienced mechanics and even longer for beginners. However, the motors are of decent quality, and if you're lucky, you might only have to replace it once during your ownership.
  • Worn air intake hose & air box thermostats: Volvo 240 models with Bosch LH electronic fuel injection have a large plastic accordion style intake hose that connects the air mass meter to the intake manifold. Over time, a hole can wear through where it touches the inner fender, causing unfiltered and unmetered air to enter the engine. This issue can cause erratic behavior and running problems. It's recommended to inspect the hose at every oil change and replace it as necessary.
  • Lumbar support systems: The lumbar support systems in Volvo GL cars are known to fail between 50-100,000 miles. This can cause discomfort for drivers, as the bottom seat cushion support grid is also a weak spot, causing drivers to struggle when trying to see over the steering wheel when it fails.
  • Motor & transmission mounts: The Volvo GL cars go through engine and transmission mounts on a regular basis. To prevent serious damage, it's essential to inspect these mounts annually and replace them every 2-3 years, depending on how hard you drive the car.

These common problems with Volvo GL cars can be frustrating for owners, but many of these issues can be resolved with regular maintenance and inspections.

Volvo Gl

What does GL stand for in Volvo?

Volvo has used DL and GL to indicate the trim level of these models from 1974 to 1990 and then inconsistently from 1991 until the end of introduction in 1993. In 1993. DL (De Luxe) indicates the base model with modest interiors and accessories where GL (Gran Luxe) indicates the higher level of trim.

Was there any known issues with the Volvo 240?

The 240 is notorious for having an awesome heater, however, the heater blower motor is buried in the deepest confines of the dash, almost like Volvo built the car around the heater motor, and over time can experience bearing failure, leading to an ear-piercing squeal, or all-out failure.

What does GL only mean?

GL-Only (General Liability Only)

The term can mean that the entire wrap-up program provides general liability and excess liability coverage to enrolled contractors and requires that the contractors own workers' compensation policies be primary at all times.

What does GL mean on a car?

Many of the letter combinations have their origins in named trim levels, with DX and DL meaning "Deluxe," GL "Grand Luxe," SE "Special Edition," GT "Gran Turismo," and so on.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Volvo Gl years

We have researched Volvo problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Volvo Gl cars and compiled the top 3 most problematic Volvo Gl model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Volvo Gl model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Volvo Gl years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Volvo Gl car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Volvo Gl , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Engine and engine cooling problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Volvo Gl vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Gl model years

There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Volvo Gl . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Volvo Gl vehicles.

List of Volvo Gl complaints

Volvo Gl 1984
  • Date Of Incident: 2001-03-01
  • Date Complaint: 2001-03-22
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: WHEN TRYING TO STOP AND PUTTING ON BRAKES BRAKE WILL GO TO FLOOR. THEN, HAS TO PRESS BRAKES AGAIN AND VEHICLE WILL STOP. CONSUMERS VERY CONCERNED BECAUSE OF CHILDREN THAT RODE IN CAR.*AK
Volvo Gl 1990
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 1998-01-22
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: YV1FA8842L2
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN NOTICED THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM PASSENGER'S SIDE, PULLED OVER TO SIDE ,TURNED OFF ENGINE, FIRE CAUSED THE FRONT END TO BE COMPLETLY BURNT. *AK
Volvo Gl 1982
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 1996-08-22
  • VIN: YV1AZ4946C1
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK

Recalls Volvo Gl

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the Volvo Gl.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

  • Model: Volvo Gl 1982
  • Report Received Date: 1982-12-28
  • Manufacturer: VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
  • Summary: INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE SYSTEM WIRING CONNECTORS DUE TO THE POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF LACQUER, PLASTIC RESIDUE ON THE PINS AND IMPERFECT PIN DIAMETERS, MAY CAUSE IGNITION MISFIRING AND, IN EXTREME CASES, INTERMITTENT STALLING.
  • Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND INSERT CONTACT PIN SLEEVES DESIGNED TO SCRAPE ANY LACQUER OR UNWANTED RESIDUE AWAY. THIS WILL PRODUCE HIGHER CONTACT PRESSURE WITHIN THE CONNECTOR AND IMPROVE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION.

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