RoadVitals

1991 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.
19
Latest Mar 15, 2016
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.
1
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.
2
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.
8
7 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 19 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Volvo 740, most frequently naming the airbags, driver assistance and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 65 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

  • Airbags1145.8%
  • Driver assistance28.3%
  • Electrical28.3%
  • Engine28.3%
  • Seat belts28.3%
  • Steering28.3%
  • Transmission14.2%
  • Brakes14.2%

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

1 campaign 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

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

Safety investigations

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

EA94015ClosedEngineering Analysis

INADVERT. AIR BAG DEPLOYS

Opened Apr 20, 1994
Closed Oct 12, 1994

There is no summary currently available

AIR BAGSLed to recall 94V185000
PE93095ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INADVER.AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

Opened Nov 23, 1993
Closed Apr 20, 1994

There is no summary currently available

AIR BAGS

Recent owner complaints

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

Airbags
Filed Mar 15, 2016
1 injury reported

TL* 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*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10849810
Incident
Mar 9, 2016
Mileage
248,865 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 6, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

DT: THE OWNER TRIED TO PARK CAR AND WAS SLOWY GOING INTO THE PARKING SPACE. ALL OF SUDDEN THE CAR ACCERELATED AND IT CRASHED INTO A WALL OF A BUILDING. THEN, CAR SMOKED. OWNER SUSTAINED INJURIES . BEFORE THE CAR TOOK OFF THE OWNER WAS GOING 1-2 MPH. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND INJURED THE OWNER'S ARM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10124303
Incident
Jun 2, 2005
Mileage
140,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 5, 2005
1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES ARM, CHEST, AND FACE INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10117442
Incident
Mar 27, 2005
Mileage
105,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 16, 2004

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
10063317
Incident
Mar 16, 2004
Seat belts
Filed Jul 3, 2003

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS BROKE FROM THE ANCHORING AT THE BOTTOM DUE TO DETERIORATION OF THE PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTON. *AK *CB *NLM

NHTSA ID
10022238
Incident
Jun 3, 2003
Mileage
130,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 30, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HAD STOP ON A TRAFIC LIGHT AND THEN BEARLY REALESED THE BRAKE PAD AND INPACTED THE FRONT VEHICLE THAT LET THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY. MANUFACTOR WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE RETRAINT SYSTEM PERFORM PROPERLY AND THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF PRIOR ACCIDENT THAT IT WAS DONE SIX YEARS BEFORE WHERE THE ACCIDENT WAS MAJOR AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TS

NHTSA ID
8021952
Incident
Sep 3, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Oct 12, 2000

IN MAY 2000, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR EITHER NOT STARTING, AND IF IT DID START IT WOULD STALL AT ANY TIME. THIS SEEMS SIMULAR TO THE INCIDENT WITH THE RECENT COURT ORDERED RECALL OF THE FORD VEHICLE WITH THE FAULTY IGNITION UNIT WHICH CAUSES THE CARS TO STALL AT ANY TIME. IN MY SITUATION, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART THAT WAS ACTUALLY CAUSING THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE ISOLATED DOWN TO A SINGLE ITEM. THE PROBLEM THAT I WAS HAVING WAS NEVER DUPLICATED BY THE VOLVO DEALER THAT LOOKED AT IT. THEY KNEW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ONE OF THREE COMPONENTS, THE FUEL PUMP RELAY - P/N 3523608, INJECTOR RELAY - P/N 1323592-1, AND THE ENGINE SPEED SENSOR - P/N 2719949. CHANGING THESE PARTS WAS A NORMAL PROCEDURE FOR THIS SITUATION, I WAS TOLD BY THE VOLVO SERVICE ADVISER. AT THE TIME HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THEY GET 3 TO 4 OF THESE PROBLEMS IN A MONTH, AND HE DIDN'T SEEM CONCERNED FOR THE POTENTIAL DANGER WITH THE CAR CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING, OR THE FACT THAT HE WAS CHANGING TWO PARTS THAT DIDN'T NEED TO BE CHANGED. LATER I WROTE THE MANAGER OF THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP REQUESTING A REFUND FOR THE TWO GOOD PARTS THAT WERE CHANGED AND GOT A REPLY FROM THE SAME SERVICE ADVISER. AT THIS TIME THE NUMBER OF TIMES THEY GET THIS PROBLEM PER MONTH ACCORDING TO HIM DROPPED TO 1 INSTEAD OF THE3 TO 4 PER MONTH THAT HE HAD CLAIMED BEFORE. I POINTED OUT TO HIM THAT THE FACT THAT THE PART NEVER FAILS PERMENATELY IS CAUSE TO CONSIDER IT A DEFECTIVE PART. HE SAID THERE'S NOTHING IN THE BOOK THAT STATES THAT A PART HAS TO FAIL PERMENATELY. I RECOGNIZED THE POTENTIAL FOR DANGER THAT THIS SITUATION HAS FROM THE MOMENT I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS, BUT DUE TO THE APATHY OF THE SERVICE ADVISER AND THE MANAGER AT THE VOLVO CENTER HERE I WAS HESITANT TO CONTACT NHTSA. SINCE THE JUDGE IN CALIFORNIA SEEMS TO THINK LIKE I DO, I'M NOW BRINGING THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM TO YOUR ATTENTION. THIS IS THE BASICS OF MY COMPLAINT. PLEASE SEND ME ANY OTHER INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT THAT YOU MAY HAVE..

NHTSA ID
734121
Incident
May 16, 2000
Steering
Filed Sep 11, 2000

I TOOK MY CAR IN WHEN THE RED LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD FOR AIR BAG LIGHTS COMING ON. THE FAIRFAX VOVLO DEALER ESTIMATED MY REPAIRS TO BE $1400.00. I FIND THIS OUTRAGEOUS, THE PART ALONE WAS $1100. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND OR IS THIS A ONE TIME CASE. I WILL ALSO SEND AN E-MAIL TO VOLVO. *AK

NHTSA ID
731074
Incident
Sep 1, 2000

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
1991Viewing191260.8
1990472165.6
1989411159.9
1988162165.0
1987153063.0
1986114167.8
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.