1990 Volvo 740 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 15%of 47 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 1990 Volvo 740, 15% of the 47 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 5 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.
“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“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“Vehicle fire as a result of electrical problems. Vehicle caught fire at work four hours after it was parked. Fire was extinguished and the battery was disconnected upon discovering it was an electrical fire. Vehicle was driven home that night. Vehicle was taken to the mechanic the next day. Consumer believed the fire was the result of the battery cables. Consumer contacted the dealership and learned of a service bulletin for the 740 models. Consumer believed the positive and negative batter cable came together and ran down a rubber tub that secured the inter frame. …”
NHTSA complaint #10044474, filed 2003-10Related service bulletins
- 10212892Feb 3, 2022Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
- 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 1990 Volvo 740
14 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsBrakes
5 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 28, 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