Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1983 242.
The 1983 Volvo 242 specifies a 3.5‑quart oil capacity with approved viscosities of 15W‑40, 10W‑40, and 10W‑30 API SL, reflecting the model’s adaptable lubrication requirements. Owner‑reported data shows just a single complaint logged for this model year, with suspension identified as the top concern area, while the vehicle carries zero recalls. This minimal complaint record and absence of factory campaigns position the 1983 edition as a notably trouble‑free instance within the 242 lineage, suggesting that routine maintenance around the specified oil standards is likely the primary focus for 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.