RecallMyCar

1976 Volvo 242 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

5 safety recalls list the 1976 Volvo 242. Check your own VIN below.

5
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

5 safety recalls for the 1976 Volvo 242

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 79V048000 Reported 61,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.

    The involved vehicles contain a potentially defective pressure control valve in the evaporative emission control system which, through excess pressure over extended periods, could cause metal fatigue and eventually fuel vapors to be emitted into the atmosphere through hairline cracks in the fuel tank.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect the tank and make replacements, if necessary. The valve will be replaced to correct the emission and safety-related problems. Certain vehicles will require installation of a filler inlet fuel trap…

  2. Filler pipe and cap (fuel system)

    NHTSA 79V028000 Reported 57,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.

    Under adverse conditions of high ambient temperatures, pressures and fuel volatility, fuel may surge when the fuel filler cap is removed in a certain manner. Under these same conditions the involved vehicles may develop vapor lock.

    Remedy: The dealer will install a baffle in the fuel filler neck to prevent fuel surge and install a new pressure control valve, which will bring about a lower vent pressure. This will be done at no cost to owner.

  3. Suspension: lower ball joint

    NHTSA 76V106000 Reported 56,820 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.

  4. Rack (steering)

    NHTSA 76V107000 Reported 56,820 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.

  5. Filler pipe and cap (fuel system)

    NHTSA 76V069000 Reported 67,633 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1976 Volvo 242. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.

Compare Volvo 242 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Volvo 242 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1975 Volvo 24290
1976 Volvo 24250
1977 Volvo 24220
1978 Volvo 24210
1983 Volvo 24201

Checking a specific 1976 Volvo 242

How do I know if my 1976 Volvo 242 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 1976 Volvo 242; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Volvo dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 76V069000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Volvo models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.