1988 Volvo 740 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 38%of 16 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 1988 Volvo 740, 38% of the 16 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“Vehicle was parked for over two hours smoke was noticed coming from hood area. Fire department came, opened the hood, and it bursted into flames. It may have been caused by a short circut of the wire harness. Volvo has not been contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #869529, filed 2000-09“Pe96-019 active, electrical short, under the hood fire,after parking the vehicle for 1/2 hour. The fire completely destroyed the engine compartment under the hood, the automobile was declared a total loss by the insurance company, vehicle was parked in the garage.”
NHTSA complaint #986952, filed 1996-07“Battery cables failed prior to recall notice resulting in and engine fire causing the consumer to recieve burns to the arm and wrist while extinguishing the fire.”
NHTSA complaint #529949, filed 1998-02Related service bulletins
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- 10169394Nov 19, 2019This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to…
- 10169393Nov 14, 2019This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to…
- 10169391Nov 9, 2019Software Installation Policy changes.
- 10164851Aug 12, 2019Software Installation Policy changes.
- 10163310Jun 5, 2019This is a Service Product Journal: Information Notice. We process the personal data that you provide in connection with the creation of your VIDA account. The purpose of our…
- 10156282Aug 4, 2018This is a Technical Journal: Vehicle Key Not Found
- 10157931Mar 29, 2018Software Installation Policy changes - Canada
- 10156271Mar 20, 2018Software Installation Policy changes - Canada
- 10159065Mar 7, 2018Software Installation Policy changes - Canada
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 1988 Volvo 740
4 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 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