1987 Volvo 740 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 53%of 15 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 1987 Volvo 740, 53% of the 15 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The engine stalled while the car was in motion. Wisps of foul-smelling smoke issued from the steering column. I parked the car and evacuated the occupants. The car restarted by itself, ran for a few minutes, then stalled. During this time, fire spread from the dashboard and engulfed the entire passenger compartment and cargo area. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire before the engine compartment burned.”
NHTSA complaint #741321, filed 2001-02“The insulation on the wiring harness in the engine compartment has totally degraded, causing multiple failures of the engine electrical system, the worst being overpower to the fuel injectors causing total gasoline flooding of the cylinders and dumping gasoline all over the road. This is a major fire hazard. In researching this, I have found out that all Volvo's from 1983-1987 have the same problem. Volvo is well aware of the problem but never fixed it. …”
NHTSA complaint #765458, filed 2002-08“Wiring harness insulation is not adequately rated for the temperture of the engine compartment, causing the vehicle to cut completely off when traveling at any speed. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer is aware of the problem. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #854306, filed 1999-12“Left emission station & radio died; pulled over & looked under hood & noticed smoke & air conditioner lines were hot; took to dealer & informed problem w/electric wire harness had shorted out; vehicle burned 2nd time while at dealer. (recall #87v064000).”
NHTSA complaint #817650, filed 1997-09“When consumer used key to unlock the door soon after smoke started coming from under the hood, within minutes vehicle was in flames, due to possible electrical failure. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #551208, filed 2000-03Related recalls
- 87V064000May 11, 1987Engine wiring harness could chafe against an air conditioning pipe.Covers: Volvo 740 1985–1987, 760 1985–1987
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Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 1987 Volvo 740
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1987 Volvo 740
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology