SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
1990 Volvo 740
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 47 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Volvo 740, most frequently naming the driver assistance, airbags and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 66 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1995 | 2 | 2 |
| Mar 1995 | 2 | 4 |
| Apr 1995 | 1 | 5 |
| Sep 1995 | 1 | 6 |
| Nov 1995 | 1 | 7 |
| Jan 1996 | 1 | 8 |
| Jul 1996 | 1 | 9 |
| Aug 1996 | 3 | 12 |
| Sep 1996 | 1 | 13 |
| Jan 1997 | 2 | 15 |
| Feb 1997 | 2 | 17 |
| Mar 1997 | 1 | 18 |
| Jun 1997 | 1 | 19 |
| Aug 1997 | 1 | 20 |
| Oct 1997 | 1 | 21 |
| Dec 1997 | 1 | 22 |
| Jun 1998 | 1 | 23 |
| Sep 1998 | 1 | 24 |
| Feb 1999 | 2 | 26 |
| Apr 1999 | 1 | 27 |
| Jul 1999 | 1 | 28 |
| Dec 1999 | 1 | 29 |
| Jan 2000 | 1 | 30 |
| Aug 2000 | 1 | 31 |
| Sep 2000 | 1 | 32 |
| Oct 2000 | 2 | 34 |
| Jan 2001 | 2 | 36 |
| Aug 2002 | 1 | 37 |
| Oct 2002 | 1 | 38 |
| Mar 2003 | 1 | 39 |
| Oct 2003 | 1 | 40 |
| Apr 2004 | 1 | 41 |
| Mar 2006 | 1 | 42 |
| Mar 2007 | 1 | 43 |
| Mar 2010 | 1 | 44 |
| Oct 2010 | 1 | 45 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 46 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 47 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Driver assistance1426.4%
- Airbags917.0%
- Electrical713.2%
- Engine59.4%
- Brakes59.4%
- Transmission23.8%
- Other / unspecified23.8%
- Seat belts23.8%
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
2 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.govFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
TL* 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 ID
- 10816574
- Incident
- Dec 13, 2015
- Mileage
- 200,000 mi
TL* 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 ID
- 10730707
- Incident
- Jun 24, 2015
- Mileage
- 170,000 mi
NORMAL EVERYDAY USE. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES FALL PART. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10358963
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2005
- Mileage
- 100,000 mi
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. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR, BUT TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AND FOUND NO RECALLS. I SOLD THE CAR LONG AGO, BUT THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW. I LOVE VOLVO AND STILL BELIEVE THEY ARE SAFE CARS, SO I REGRET TO BRING THIS UP.
- NHTSA ID
- 10319236
- Incident
- Apr 15, 1996
- Mileage
- 65,000 mi
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. THE SUV WAS THEN SANDWICHED IN BETWEEN MY CAR AND A PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF IT. BOTH CARS WERE EMPTY BUT THE PASSENGER FROM THE FIRST CAR WAS BADLY BRUISED IN HER SIDE AND KNEE. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION HAD OCCURED AND THE TIRE MARKS REMAINED FROM THE STARTING LOCATION TO THE END BECAUSE I WAS PUSHING THE BRAKE ALL THE TIME, NEVERTHELESS, THE CAR FLEW UNINTENTIONALLY. SINCE IT IS A VERY UNUSUAL CASE, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO THE CAR YET AND I WILL PROBABLY TOTAL THAT CAR.
- NHTSA ID
- 10185465
- Incident
- Mar 13, 2007
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING OVER A HILL AT 45 MPH, A DEER ENTERED THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE DEER. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND DOWN AN EMBANKMENT STRIKING TREES. THE FRONT END WAS DAMAGED IN THE COLLISION. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A TECHNICIAN WHO DETERMINED, BASED ON THE SPEED AND ANGLE THE VEHICLE MADE CONTACT, THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT DEPLOY. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10152406
- Incident
- Jan 18, 2006
- Mileage
- 100,000 mi
THE RADIATOR OPENING TO WHICH THE HOSE ATTACHES [FOR RETURN OF THE COOLANT TO THE ENGINE] CRACKED AND BROKE OFF. THERE ARE CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC PORTION OF THE RADIATOR WHERE THE HOSE ATTACHES. THE FAILURE IS NOT THE RESULT OF ANY IMPACT OR OTHER EXTERNAL FORCES. THE PLASTIC OUT OF WHICH THE RADIATOR IS MADE IS EITHER DEFECTIVE OF INADEQUATELY DESIGNED FOR NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I AM TOLD THAT NO REPAIR IS POSSIBLE. THE ENTIRE RADIATOR MUST BE REPLACED.
- NHTSA ID
- 10066180
- Incident
- Apr 11, 2004
VEHICLE FIRE AS A RESULT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.*MR 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. AT THE END OF THE RUBBER TUBE THE POSITIVE CABLE RAN ACROSS THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER TO THE STARTER. THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE AFTER LEAVING THE RUBBER TUBE CROSS OVER THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE GOING TO GROUND ITSELF TO THE ENGINE. OVER THE YEARS THE TWO CABLES RUB TOGETHER TILL THE SHEATING WORN DOWN AND MAKING CONTACT CAUSING THE SHORT CIRCUIT AND FIRE. THE DAMAGE FROM THE FIRE ( POSITIVE/NEGATIVE CABLE BURNED ALL THE WAY THROUGH, BOTH POWER STEERING HOSE BURNED, OIL SENDING UNIT AND CONNECTING WIRE, SPLASH PAN MELTED FROM FIRE DROPPING ON IT, THE A/C COMPRESSOR HOSE BURNED TO THE POINT WHERE YOU COULD SEE TREAD COMING FROM THE HOSE. THE ITEMS WERE REPLACED BUT THE A/C WASN'T WORKING. *PH
- NHTSA ID
- 10044474
- Incident
- Sep 13, 2003
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
EQUIPMENT
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT
Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
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.
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.
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.
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
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.