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Volvo 740Model year report

1990 Volvo 740 Problems

Complaints
47filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
115,000miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns 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
20 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 18 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Volvo 740 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 1990 Volvo 740. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 14 complaints (30% of the total), followed by air bags (9) and electrical system (7). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 115,000 miles. Of all complaints, 16 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 64 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.

Also reported: Fuel system (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1).

Example complaints

Vehicle speed control: “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 miles

Air bags: “I feel stronly that I should not have to pay for a repair service (taillight sensor problem) that should have been fixed permanently while the vehicle was under warranty. The srs warning light problem is not only a mechanical issue, but also a safety hazard to the driver, leaving the airbag inoperable. I do not believe that a consumer should have to pay out $1200 to service the srs warning light every time the owner disconnects and reconnects the battery.”

NHTSA complaint #703625, filed 1999-02

Electrical system: “While driving 30 MPH thick smoke came from air conditioner's vents, shortly after, consumer saw flames. Vehicle was totally burned before fire department got to scene. Driver suffered smoke inhalation.”

NHTSA complaint #8015957, filed 2002-08

Brakes: “The contact owned a 1990 Volvo 740. While the vehicle was in the garage, it suddenly accelerated to approximately 60 MPH. The vehicle slammed into a brick wall. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The brake pedal was soft and would not respond. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact was bleeding from his head and required medical attention. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10816574, filed 2015-12, 200,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 100,000 and 170,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5017%50–750%75–10050%100–15033%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 115,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’969’98’00’02’04’07’15
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 1990 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 RWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual192621$3,200
740 RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182320$3,350
740 RWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual182420$3,350
740 RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182420$3,350
740 RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed manual182320$3,350
740 RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic162018$3,700
740 16-Valve RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed manual162419$3,550
740 16-Valve RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic162218$3,700
740 16-Valve Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed manual162419$3,550
740 16-Valve Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic162218$3,700
740 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual192621$3,200
740 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182320$3,350
740 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual182420$3,350
740 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182420$3,350

2 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

Recall details for the 1990 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 1990 Volvo 740 have?

NHTSA recorded 47 consumer complaints for the 1990 Volvo 740 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1990 Volvo 740 is reported most often?

Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 14 complaints (30% of the total), followed by air bags with 9.

Has the 1990 Volvo 740 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1990 Volvo 740 get?

The EPA rates the 1990 Volvo 740 (740, 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 1990 Volvo 740 reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 115,000 miles and the middle half falls between 100,000 and 170,000 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.