Skip to content
Volvo 740Model year report

1986 Volvo 740 Problems

Complaints
11filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
140,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 18 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Volvo 740 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1986 Volvo 740. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by engine cooling (3) and engine (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 140,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 6 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 64 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the front underhood and 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Plastic moulding covering wires coming off, electrical wires are exposed. Mechanic did not repair due to not being under warranty. Consumer stated due to the electrical wiring problems this cause the headlights, turn signals and parking lights to be inoperative as well as other componets that are affected.”

NHTSA complaint #828203, filed 1998-09

Engine: “The contact owns a 1986 Volvo 740 gle (na). The contact stated that the mass air flow sensor malfunctioned. As a result, the vehicle was unable to pass state emissions standards. The vehicle was taken to a state certified mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the mass air flow sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10555824, filed 2013-12, 140,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 140,000 and 140,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–100100%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 140,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

1996199741998200020012013
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1986 Volvo 740 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
740/760 RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed manual202622$3,050
740/760 RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192321$3,200
740/760 RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed manual182320$3,350
740/760 RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic172018$3,700
740/760 RWD2.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162018$3,700
740/760 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed manual202622$3,050
740/760 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic192421$3,200
740/760 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed manual182320$3,350
740/760 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic172018$3,700
740/760 RWD2.4L 6-cyl · diesel4-speed manual222724$4,000
740/760 RWD2.4L 6-cyl · diesel4-speed automatic212423$4,150
740/760 Wagon RWD2.4L 6-cyl · diesel4-speed automatic212423$4,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1986 Volvo 740 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 64 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 64 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volvo 740

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
19928—0—20—Not enough data
199119135,0001—20—Stable
199047115,0002—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198941205,0001—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198816163,0002—20—Stable
198715—3—20—Stable
198611140,0004—20—Not enough data
19851010,0003—19—Not enough data

All Volvo 740 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Volvo 740 have?

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1986 Volvo 740 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1986 Volvo 740 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (27% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 3.

Has the 1986 Volvo 740 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1986 Volvo 740 get?

The EPA rates the 1986 Volvo 740 (740/760, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Volvo 740 reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 140,000 miles and the middle half falls between 140,000 and 140,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.