1989 Volvo 740 Problems
- Complaints
- 41filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 205,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 17 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Volvo 740 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 1989 Volvo 740. The part named most often is electrical system, with 15 complaints (37% of the total), followed by engine cooling (12) and brakes (5). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 205,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 16 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 64 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 NHTSA investigation and 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Electrical system15 37%
- Engine cooling12 29%
- Brakes5 12%
- Air bags3 7.3%
- Equipment2 4.9%
- Vehicle speed control2 4.9%
- Exterior lighting1 2.4%
- Fuel system1 2.4%
- Other or unknown1 2.4%
Also reported: Seats (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “Made an appointment with volvoville USA for recall campaign 96v08500 for date below. Showed up on time and provided VIN # for vehicle that was purchased from volvoville (as a new car by my wife pennie wilfong ) and all other data requested by service writer. I stated I was not interested in any other service and only wanted the recall item taken care of. The service writer went into her database and informed me there was nothing there and did not provide any explanation even when one was requested. …”
NHTSA complaint #10100165, filed 2004-11Engine cooling: “The vehicle stalls out constantly due to the battery being drained for no reason. Consumer states that vehicle stalls soon after being started, it seems as though there is not enough gas to restart vehicle, it will eventually restart, vehicle was once repaired, it worked fine for a while and then started experiencing problems again.”
NHTSA complaint #986590, filed 1996-07Brakes: “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 milesAir bags: “I entered my car and put the key in the ignition. When I turned the key to start the engine, the air bag deployed. My left hand was resting on the steering whell as I turned the key. The air bag ripped my watch from my wrist and lacerated the wrist in numerous places. My neck, chest and both arms were abraised. Volvo cars of north america was notified. They sent a technical specialist to inspect the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #762690, filed 2002-06Mileage 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 205,000 and 205,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 740 RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 740 RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 740 RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 740 RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 740 RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 740 RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 740 RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 740 RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 740 Wagon RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 740 Wagon RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 740 Wagon RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 740 Wagon RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 740 Wagon RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 740 Wagon RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
3 more EPA-rated versions are not shown.
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
- 91V075000May 6, 1991Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Volvo 740 1985–1991, 760 1985–1990, 940 1991
Safety belts are designed to be routed under a diagonal cross brace during fastening. The instructional labels for the belt routing are inadequate, and can result in inadvertent release of the belt buckle.
Recall details for the 1989 Volvo 740 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE96019Battery cable shortClosed · Mar 4, 1996
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.
- 10212891Feb 9, 2022Equipment. VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
- 10212892Feb 3, 2022Equipment, Electrical system. Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
- 10181041Sep 18, 2020Equipment. Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and…
- 10178503Jul 2, 2020Equipment. Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and…
- 10171676Jan 30, 2020Equipment. Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and…
- 10169394Nov 19, 2019Electrical system. This 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 the swapped control…
- 10169393Nov 14, 2019Electrical system. This 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 the swapped control…
- 10169391Nov 9, 2019Electrical system. Software Installation Policy changes.
- 10169389Nov 9, 2019Equipment. This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Technician Skillset Requirments
- 10169036Oct 17, 2019Equipment. Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and…
Other model years of the Volvo 740
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 8 | — | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 19 | 135,000 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 47 | 115,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 41 | 205,000 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 16 | 163,000 | 2 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 15 | — | 3 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1986 | 11 | 140,000 | 4 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 10 | 10,000 | 3 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Volvo 740 have?
NHTSA recorded 41 consumer complaints for the 1989 Volvo 740 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Volvo 740 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 15 complaints (37% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 12.
Has the 1989 Volvo 740 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Volvo 740 get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Volvo 740 (740, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Volvo 740 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 205,000 miles and the middle half falls between 205,000 and 205,000 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 29, 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.