1990 Volvo 740 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 30%of 47 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 170,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1990 Volvo 740, 30% of the 47 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 170,000 miles. 10 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.
“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“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“In a parking lot at a local grocery store, my daughter and I went into the car, started it and shifted the gear, while holding the brake, from park mode to revers mode to get out of the parking lot. As soon as I shifted it, the car took off in full speed backward as if it was crazy, hitting a car and a passenger that was coming out of the car. As my car hit the 2nd vehicle's open door, it bounced forward, also in full speed. By this time, I shifted the gear to park mode in attempt to stop the car. Nevertheless, the car flew and hit a SUV and as the airbag broke, my car stopped. …”
NHTSA complaint #10185465, filed 2007-03“The contact owns a 1990 Volvo 740. While reversing into a parking space, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into a parked vehicle. The service brakes and emergency brake failed to stop the vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The contact had to remove the keys from the ignition in order to stop the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 170,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10730707, filed 2015-06, 170,000 miles“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 2001-01Vehicle speed control: other model years
Other parts of the 1990 Volvo 740
9 complaintsElectrical system
7 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 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