RoadVitals

1985 Volvo 740

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest May 6, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest May 6, 1991
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Volvo 740, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and brakes categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 64 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance330.0%
  • Electrical220.0%
  • Brakes110.0%
  • Body & structure110.0%
  • Engine110.0%
  • Steering110.0%
  • Transmission110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
91V075000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

May 6, 1991
485 units potentially affected
The defect: SAFETY BELTS ARE DESIGNED TO BE ROUTED UNDER A DIAGONAL CROSS BRACE DURING FASTENING. THE INSTRUCTIONAL LABELS FOR THE BELT ROUTING ARE INADEQUATE, AND CAN RESULT IN INADVERTENT RELEASE OF THE BELT BUCKLE.
The risk: CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SAFETY BELT MISUSE COULD CAUSE THE SEAT OCCUPANT TO FACE GREATER RISK OF INJURY IN A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE ACCIDENT IF AN INADVERTENT RELEASE OF THE SAFETY BELT OCCURRED.
The remedy: INSTALL LABELS TO INSTRUCT THE USER IN PROPER SAFETY BELT ROUTING; ALSO REPLACE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES.
VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
87V064000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

May 11, 1987
106,602 units potentially affected
The defect: ENGINE WIRING HARNESS COULD CHAFE AGAINST AN AIR CONDITIONING PIPE.
The risk: A SHORT CIRCUIT AND MALFUNCTIONING OF THE ELECTRICALSYSTEM, AS WELL AS CHARRING OF THE WIRING INSULATION, COULD RESULT.
The remedy: RELOCATE WIRING HARNESS AND SECURE WITH A NEW BRACKET AND CLAMP.
VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
85V002000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Dec 2, 1985
7,390 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH WATER PUMP PULLEYS WHICH MAY CONTAIN A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, REDUCING THE DURABILITY OF THE PULLEY. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE PULLEY FAILS, PIECES MAY BE THROWN ABOUT INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPONENTS. IF THE HOOD SHOULD BE OPENED IT IS POSSIBLE A PULLEY FAILURE COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PERSONS IN THE AREA.
The remedy: INSPECT AND REPLACE THE PULLEY WHERE NECESSARY.
VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 10
Driver assistance
Filed May 6, 2004

WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WIRING HARNESS FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10072229
Incident
May 2, 2004
Driver assistance
Filed May 6, 2004

WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10072228
Incident
May 2, 2004
Engine
Filed Aug 11, 2003

THE WIRE PLASTIC INSULATION AROUND ENGINE IS CONTINUOUSLY DISINTEGRATING AND FALLING OFF. *AK

NHTSA ID
10033536
Mileage
10,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 3, 2001

PART FAILED AGAIN 12/28/2000

NHTSA ID
738723
Incident
Jan 28, 2000
Electrical
Filed Aug 31, 2000
Fire reported

AFTER DRIVING FROM THE GROCERY STORE, I STOPPED AT A STORE AND LET MY GRANDDAUGHTER RUN IN FOR A COKE. WHILE SHE WAS INSIDE,I LET THE CAR IDLE. WITHIN 3 MINUTES, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE MOTOR NEVER GAVE ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. THE PEOPLE IN THE PARKING LOT TOLD ME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR ,IT WAS ON FIRE, I CUT OFF THE CAR , POPPED THE HOOD AND THEN STARTED TO OPEN THE HOOD BUT THE SMOKE WAS SO THICK, DARK TAN AND PEPPERED WITH BLACK, THAT I COULDN'T GET CLOSE. THE STORE EMPLOYEES CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THEY CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE WIRING, PLASTIC CONTAINERS,HOSES, INSULATION, ETC. WERE BURNT TO A CRISP. WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!

NHTSA ID
729626
Incident
Aug 15, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Jul 13, 1999

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
708573
Incident
Jun 15, 1999
Electrical
Filed Jun 22, 1999

THERE IS A SHORT WITHIN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH IS DRAINING THE BATTERY, AND VEHICLE WON'T START UNLESS THE CONSUMER GIVES VEHICLE A BOOST. DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
840775
Incident
May 12, 1999
Transmission
Filed Oct 22, 1997

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
526223
Incident
Aug 1, 1997

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

356EN01

EQUIPMENT

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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)

ST-001-2020-09-1

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.

ST-001-2020-06-2

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.

ST-001-2020-01-2

EQUIPMENT

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.

TJ31946.1.2-2019

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This 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 the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the vehicle. Swapping the Driver Information Module (DIM) is strictly forbidden as the DIM it is the main carrier of the odometer function, and will, in case of swapping, result in manipulated odometer value. Service: Please do NOT swap any control modules from vehicle to vehicle for testing, unless instructed to do so in a Vehicle Report by the Technical Helpdesk

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volvo 740 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002100—
2000200—
1998200—
1995100—
1993201—
1992801—
1991191260.8
1990472165.6
1989411159.9
1988162165.0
1987153063.0
1986114167.8
1985Viewing103055.6

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.