Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1983 242.
Defined by its specific maintenance parameters, the 1983 Volvo 242 requires an engine oil capacity of 3.5 qt using 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SL viscosity grades. This model year occupies a distinct position in the vehicle's reliability history, registering zero recalls alongside a single total owner complaint focused on the suspension. Such sparse negative feedback indicates a period of exceptional mechanical consistency for researchers evaluating the model's long-term durability.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 3.5 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SL engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | 80W-90 · GL-5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 3 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 3.5 qt |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 3.5 qt |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 1983 Volvo 242 dominate in one area — the suspension, 1 of 1 reports (100%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the suspension pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
Showing 2 of 2 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 356EN01 | 2022-02-09 | Equipment | VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App |
| Service Manager | 2022-02-03 | Electrical System | Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
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Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
3.5 qt of ABOVE 10 degrees F: 15W-40 API SL OR GREATER, ABOVE -13 degrees F: 10W-40 API SL OR GREATER, -13 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 10W-30 API SL OR GREATER, BELOW 32 degrees F: 5W-30 API SL OR GREATER, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.