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Compilation of 240 design complaints[200/All] posted by Don Foster on
Saturday, 21 November 1998, at 6:47 p.m.
Last Saturday I asked BB readers to list their favorite -- or most annoying -- design flaws in the 240. Thanks to all for sharing experiences, observations, and sounding off.
I've taken the liberty of separating them into (what I think are) design issues, materials issues, and other. Also -- while I have included every comment -- I've reworded a few. And I've tallied multiple mentions of favorites.
My criteria for the categories are:
- "Design" means a design, configuration, or architecture, which -- if improved -- would yield a better product.
- "Materials" means a failure or problem that could have been solved by simply choosing a better or different material for the component without changing the design. Often, this engineering aspect is cost-driven, not stupidity-driven. Sometimes, as with tailgate hinges, both categories fit.
- "Other" are other snivels -- valid, but not related to design.
These are not in any particular order -- sorta combination of LIFO and FIFO.
DESIGN:
- Blower motor location, design, quality, robustness -- 3 mentions
- Tailgate wiring harness -- 5 mentions
- Tailgate hinge design, quality -- 3 mentions
- Oil filter access on turbos -- 2 mentions
- Front strut cups rust out
- Radiator, plastic tanks
- Chintzy fuse panel -- 3 mentions
- Rattles -- 6 mentions:
- glove box (2)
- center console
- spare tire cover
- rearview mirror (2)
- Rearview mirror design
- Door handles break
- Fuel filter under car, inaccessible -- 2 mentions
- Main pump under car, inaccessible
- Airbox thermostat
- Chintzy spare tire cover -- 2 mentions
- Plastic clips holding interior panels
- Need to flip rear seat to lower seat back -- 2 mentions
- Front brake lines attachment to calipers, wrapped around strut
- Taillights collect, hold water
- Chintzy pressboard trunk floor piece over well
- Gutterless engine bay
- Weak splash pan, poorly fastened
- Air filter location
- Inaccessible fan
- Inaccessible oil pan
- Inaccessible flame trap
- Inaccessible engine sensors
- Sun visor not effective side use
- No under-seat storage
- Wiper nozzles plug up
- Rear window defrost grid too easily damaged
- Chintzy outer window seals
- Driver's side door light lazy in cold
- No radiator drain valve
- Wiper linkage, pivots, cables, mechanism
- Body prone to leaks in many places
- Location, protection of critical 25 amp FI fuse
- Rust-prone: Floors, doors, taillights, trunk lid, spare tire wells -- 2 mentions
MATERIALS:
- Tailgate hinge material & construction -- 3 mentions
- Front strut cups rust out
- Radiator plastic tanks
- Door handles that break
- Engine harnesses -- 6 mentions
- Relays -- 2 mentions
- Spare tire cover cheap
- Plastic clips holding interior trim
- Chintzy pressboard floor piece, trunk floor, over well
- Chintzy license plate bracket
- Weak splash pan
- Chintzy spare tire cover -- 2 mentions
- Rear window defrost grid too easily scratched
- Chintzy window outer seals
- Cracked dash
- Rust: Floors, doors, taillights, trunk lid, spare tire wells
- Cheap 4" front speakers
OTHER:
- Cost of parts
- OEM water pump failed after 1 year, under warranty
- Stupid speedometer (?)
- R12 to R134a conversion (?)
- Lambda Sond (?)
- Cheap 4" front speakers
- No cruise control available on '93 models
- Crummy 5-speed transmission
Thanks to everybody. I've got another one brewing.
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