Volvo 740 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 167 consumer complaints across the 8 model years of the Volvo 740 (1985–1992) that have at least 5 complaints. 1990 has the most, with 47. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (44 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 740 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 8 | — | 0 | 62 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 19 | 135,000 | 1 | 63 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 47 | 115,000 | 2 | 63 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 41 | 205,000 | 1 | 64 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 16 | 163,000 | 2 | 64 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 15 | — | 3 | 64 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 11 | 140,000 | 4 | 64 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 10 | 10,000 | 3 | 64 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system44 27%
- Air bags28 17%
- Vehicle speed control27 17%
- Engine cooling27 17%
- Brakes13 8.0%
- Transmission and drivetrain9 5.5%
- Fuel system8 4.9%
- Seat belts7 4.3%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1988: “I turned the ignition key and the driver's airbag deployed, striking me in the face and chest, knocking me unconscious and damaging my right eye and breast and causing chemical burns on my face and neck. I was transported to the emergency room and spent most of the night at the hospital and followup the following day by eye surgeons and retina specialists. I sustained permanent damage to my right eye which resulted in a blind-spot. I was unable to drive or work for a week. …”
NHTSA complaint #10662195, filed 2014-12, 163,000 miles1990: “Rapid acceleration incident in a 1990 Volvo 740 turbo sedan. Given the recent press re toyota, I would just like it known that the issue may extend to other manufacturers as well. My vehicle became possessed in a parking garage in downtown minneapolis in 1996. I was about to back out of a parking space, and it went into a super high speed reverse (on its own from zero to perhaps 40 MPH?) while my foot was jammed in terror on the brake. I was able to throw the transmission into first gear, which did not solve the problem, and shut off the engine, before I smashed into a car behind me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10319236, filed 2010-03, 65,000 miles1989: “While braking at this speed or higher the car steering wheel began to shack and pull to the left. Took it to Volvo and they said the caliber was not releasing properly. Had calibers replaced several years prior due to a similar malfunction.”
NHTSA complaint #10669236, filed 2014-12, 205,000 milesOther Volvo models
1,531 complaintsVolvo S60
1,263 complaintsVolvo S80
953 complaintsVolvo V70
922 complaintsVolvo XC60
654 complaintsVolvo S70
584 complaintsVolvo 850
566 complaintsVolvo S40
491 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology