1990 Volvo 740 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 11%of 47 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 200,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the brakes of the 1990 Volvo 740, 11% of the 47 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 200,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“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“Booster assist became erratic -upon disassembly bakelite type diaphragm support was found to be broken in 3 pieces-ther are no signs of impact on the exterior of the booster nor has the car been involved in an accident in the last year.it was purchased used so no further history is available.”
NHTSA complaint #717620, filed 2000-01“While driving at a low rate of speed and when attemtping to turn around a curve vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing unwanted and unexpected acceleration, resulting in an accident. Consumer has contacted Volvo. The brakes failed to stop the accelerating vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #879198, filed 2001-01“While driving at 30 MPH, coming to make stop, driver attempted to make a normal braking stop when brake pedal went to floor ,experienced total loss of brakes, causing loss of vehicle control and could have resulted in accident.”
NHTSA complaint #853579, filed 1999-12Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 1990 Volvo 740
14 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1990 Volvo 740
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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