Skip to content
Volvo 740Model year report

1991 Volvo 740 Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
135,000miles, 4 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
20 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 18 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Volvo 740 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1991 Volvo 740. The part named most often is air bags, with 11 complaints (58% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine cooling (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 135,000 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 7 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 63 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Example complaints

Air bags: “The contact owns a 1990 Volvo 740gl (na). While driving 30 MPH, the driver side air bag deployed without warning. The contact sustained injuries to both arms, the left shoulder, and back that required medical attention. The cabin of the vehicle was filled with air bag debris. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 248,865. Updated 05/03/16”

NHTSA complaint #10849810, filed 2016-03, 248,865 miles

Electrical system: “While driving 45 MPH vehicle stalled. Consumer tried to restart vehicle, and after 60 seconds the vehicle started up again. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic could not duplicate the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10063317, filed 2004-03

Seat belts: “Srs light indicates not functional. In addition, center/rear seat belt plastic cover over male portion of latch continually comes off, causing an inside part to fall out.”

NHTSA complaint #534786, filed 1998-04

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 130,000 and 140,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–10075%100–15025%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 135,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

199619994200220042016
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 1991 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 manual192622$3,050
740 RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182420$3,350
740 RWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual182420$3,350
740 RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic172018$3,700
740 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual192622$3,050
740 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182420$3,350
740 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual182420$3,350
740 Wagon RWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic172018$3,700

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 1991 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. 63 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 63 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 1991 Volvo 740 have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1991 Volvo 740 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1991 Volvo 740 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 11 complaints (58% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 1991 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 1991 Volvo 740 get?

The EPA rates the 1991 Volvo 740 (740, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 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 1991 Volvo 740 reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 135,000 miles and the middle half falls between 130,000 and 140,000 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.