RoadVitals

1990 Volvo 740 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
47
Latest Dec 28, 2015
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
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.
21

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1990 Volvo 740, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags917.0%
  • Electrical713.2%
  • Engine59.4%
  • Brakes59.4%
  • Transmission23.8%
  • Other / unspecified23.8%
  • Seat belts23.8%
  • Suspension23.8%
  • Body & structure11.9%
  • Tires & wheels11.9%
  • Fuel system11.9%
  • Interior & seats11.9%
  • Exterior lighting11.9%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 28, 2015

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 · filed Jun 26, 2015
All 14 reports naming driver assistance

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 10, 2006

CONSUMER STATES THE AIR BAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED AS THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN GOING 5-10MPH TO A STOP. NO AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED TO SPECIFY A PROBLEM. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID 8021035 · filed Oct 17, 2002
All 9 reports naming airbags

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 12, 2010

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 · filed Oct 20, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 14, 2004

VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM ABOUT 20 TO 65MPH DUE TO A PIECE OF A BROKEN GASKET FALLING INTO THE THROTTLE BODY. DRIVER HAD TO TURN IGNITION OFF IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER TOOK OUT THE PIECE OF GASKET AND REPLACED GASKET. *AK

NHTSA ID 868602 · filed Aug 24, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 28, 2015

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. *AK THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE ACCELERATING VEHICLE. *YH

NHTSA ID 879198 · filed Jan 29, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TRANSMISSIONS 4TH GEAR DISENGAGEMENT IN OPERATION CONSTANTLY, PREVENTING TRANSMISSION FROM SHIFTING INTO FOURTH GEAR. *DH

NHTSA ID 506788 · filed Jul 29, 1996

STARTED VEHICLE WHILE IN PARK, IT WENT IN REVERSE. TT

NHTSA ID 962262 · filed Mar 20, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE REAR WHEEL CRACKED IN HALF, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.*JB

NHTSA ID 10009993 · filed Mar 6, 2003

TWO WHEEL BASES BENT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL TO ONE SIDE/NOISE. *SKD

NHTSA ID 482739 · filed Apr 4, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NORMAL EVERYDAY USE. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES FALL PART. *TR

NHTSA ID 10358963 · filed Oct 3, 2010

DRIVER SEAT BELT "FROZE" IN RETRACTING POSITION, UNABLE TO WITHDRAW AND FASTEN SEAT BELT. TECHNICIAN AT DEALER SAID PROBLEM PROBABLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE INERTIAL REEL. VOLVO SAID MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY ON SEAT BELT EXPIRED AFTER 5 YEARS. *AK

NHTSA ID 705184 · filed Apr 1, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FRONT UPPER STRUT MOUNTS FAILED AND PUSHED A STRUT ROD THROUGH THE HOOD. FAILURE COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STABILITY DURING CORNERING OR STOPPING.

NHTSA ID 522492 · filed Aug 2, 1997

FRONT SHOCKS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES, THEY KEEP EXPLODING, PUTTING HOLES IN THE HOOD OF VEHICLES, DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. *AK

NHTSA ID 807565 · filed Jan 13, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DESCRIBE THE INCIDENT OR HAZARD, INCLUDING DESCRIPTION OF INJURIES:HAZARD IS TO PERSONS GENERALLY. UNSAFE PRODUCT IS THE PART # 71901 GTSTYLING BUG-GARD. SEE EMAIL FROM: [email protected] I WROTE THAT THEIR DESIGN WAS FLAWED BECAUSE IT DEPENDED ON ADHESIVES. THEY ASKED ABOUT MY CAR MAKE AND MODEL AND FITMENT: IT IS A 1990 740 AND THE PART NUMBER I GAVE WAS SPECIFICALLY FOR IT. CONFORMING TO THE HOOD (WHICH IT DOES) IS NOT THE PROBLEM. IT IS THAT THE OUTSIDE FASTENING DEPENDS ON ADHESIVE DOTS 3M TO STAY IN PLACE AND IT DOES NOT.CORRESPONDENCE BELOW) YOU SENT A REPLACEMENT ONCE; THE ENTIRE SHIELD. THEN YOU SENT A BOX OF BUMPONS AND A BOX OF 3M VELCRO-LIKE DOTS. I PUT 4 ON EACH SIDE AND IT STILL BREKS LOOSE AND WHIPS IN THE WIND ! ! ! ! THE FAULT IS YOURS NOT THE SELLERS AND J.C. WHITNEY IS NOT GOING TO MAKE GOOD ON IT AT THIS LATE DATE ANYWAY. I ALLEGE THAT THE PLASTIC PART FITTING ACROSS THE AUTOMOBILE HOOD IS AT RISK OF BREAKING OFF BECAUSE OF FAILURE OF THE ADHESIVE DOTS USED TO HOLD THE ENDS IN PLACE. IF IT DOES, IT POSES A THREAT TO PEDESTRIANS AND THE PUBLIC. NOT AN AUTOMOBILE, SO I TOOK A CHANCE THAT YOU ARE THE PROPER SITE TO REPORT THIS TO. IF NOT, PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA ID 734246 · filed Oct 13, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TIRE THREADS STARTED TO FALL OUT, TIRE WAS HARDLY USED, REPLACED WITH ANOTHER SPARE FROM SALVAGE YARD( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 155/R1587T )

NHTSA ID 731613 · filed Sep 16, 2000

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ALTERNATOR FAILED AND VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC. YH

NHTSA ID 605510 · filed Oct 20, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE STRUTS THAT HOLDS THE REAR DOOR ARE WEAK . TT

NHTSA ID 975247 · filed Nov 21, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I FEEL STRONLY THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A REPAIR SERVICE (TAILLIGHT SENSOR PROBLEM) THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED PERMANENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE SRS WARNING LIGHT PROBLEM IS NOT ONLY A MECHANICAL ISSUE, BUT ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER, LEAVING THE AIRBAG INOPERABLE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT A CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT $1200 TO SERVICE THE SRS WARNING LIGHT EVERY TIME THE OWNER DISCONNECTS AND RECONNECTS THE BATTERY.

NHTSA ID 703625 · filed Feb 23, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .