RoadVitals

1986 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.
11
Latest Dec 12, 2013
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.
4
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.
1
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.
7
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Volvo 740, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and body & structure categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; 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

  • Engine436.4%
  • Electrical327.3%
  • Body & structure19.1%
  • Fuel system19.1%
  • Powertrain (other)19.1%
  • Seat belts19.1%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
89V204000

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Nov 17, 1989
38,000 units potentially affected
The defect: DRIVESHAFT COULD CONTACT THE FUEL TANK AND SCORE AND SCRAPE OUTER SURFACES OF THE TANK AT THE POINT OF CONTACT.
The risk: A SMALL LEAK COULD DEVELOP WHICH COULD , IN THE PRESENCEOF AN IGNITION SOURCE, RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANK AND/OR INSTALL PROTECTIVE DEVICE BETWEEN DRIVESHAFT AND THE TANK.
VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.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

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE89107ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

FUEL TANK/DRIVESHAFT

Opened Apr 4, 1989
Closed Nov 21, 1989

===

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 89V204000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 11
Engine
Filed Dec 12, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1986 VOLVO 740 GLE (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO PASS STATE EMISSIONS STANDARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A STATE CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10555824
Incident
Aug 13, 2013
Mileage
140,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 19, 2001

FORWARD RUBBER BUSHING TEARS MUCH TO OFTEN. IM AFRAID ONE DAY, THAT THE DRIVESHAFT WILL FALL AND HIT STREET , CAUSE A SPARK AND START A FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
741115
Incident
Jun 20, 1995
Electrical
Filed Jan 19, 2000
Fire reported

CONSUMER BELIEVES WIRING PROBLEM EXISTED WHICH CAUSED PLASTIC ODOR AND FIRE TO START WHEN CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM NEAR THE GEAR SHIFTER, FLAMES APPEARED AND THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WAS COMPLETELY INCINERATED, ENGINE RELATIVELY UNDAMAGED. *ET

NHTSA ID
784441
Incident
Jan 16, 2000
Electrical
Filed Sep 25, 1998

PLASTIC MOULDING COVERING WIRES COMING OFF, ELECTRICAL WIRES ARE EXPOSED. MECHANIC DID NOT REPAIR DUE TO NOT BEING UNDER WARRANTY. *AK CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEMS THIS CAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS AND PARKING LIGHTS TO BE INOPERATIVE AS WELL AS OTHER COMPONETS THAT ARE AFFECTED.*JB

NHTSA ID
828203
Incident
Jul 31, 1998
Engine
Filed Apr 23, 1998
Fire reported

WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER PUT OUT FIRE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

NHTSA ID
534702
Incident
Dec 31, 1997
Engine
Filed Dec 18, 1997
Fire reported

THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
816411
Incident
Jul 7, 1992
Engine
Filed Nov 26, 1997
Fire reported

ENGINE FIRE.

NHTSA ID
525446
Incident
Nov 4, 1997
Electrical
Filed Apr 1, 1997
Fire reported

THIS PARTICULAR MODEL HAS DEFECTIVE BATTERY CABLE WHICH CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE, HOWEVER VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO MODEL YEAR. (REPRESENTATIVE OF AUTO SHOP)

NHTSA ID
516127

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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Service Manager

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
1986Viewing114167.8
1985103055.6

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.