Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports5 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
16 reports
163,000 miles · Dec 4, 2014
Air BagsInjury
I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY AND THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED, STRIKING ME IN THE FACE AND CHEST, KNOCKING ME UNCONSCIOUS AND DAMAGING MY RIGHT EYE AND BREAST AND CAUSING CHEMICAL BURNS ON MY FACE AND NECK. I WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND SPENT MOST OF THE NIGHT AT THE HOSPITAL AND FOLLOWUP THE FOLLOWING DAY BY EYE SURG…
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I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY AND THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED, STRIKING ME IN THE FACE AND CHEST, KNOCKING ME UNCONSCIOUS AND DAMAGING MY RIGHT EYE AND BREAST AND CAUSING CHEMICAL BURNS ON MY FACE AND NECK. I WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND SPENT MOST OF THE NIGHT AT THE HOSPITAL AND FOLLOWUP THE FOLLOWING DAY BY EYE SURGEONS AND RETINA SPECIALISTS. I SUSTAINED PERMANENT DAMAGE TO MY RIGHT EYE WHICH RESULTED IN A BLIND-SPOT. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE OR WORK FOR A WEEK. I REQUIRED EXTENSIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL MONTHS AND AM STILL CLOSELY MONITORED BY THE EYE DOCTOR FOR THE DAMAGE TO MY EYE (WHICH I HAVE BEEN TOLD WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY RESULT IN GLAUCOMA). VOLVO REFUSED TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY OR MADE ANY REIMBURSEMENT FOR DAMAGES, MEDICAL OR LOSS OF MY VEHICLE AND STALLED ALL EFFORTS THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM, EVEN AFTER INITIALLY INDICATING TO MY ATTORNEY THAT THEY WOULDN'T CONTEST SETTLEMENT. MY VEHICLE WAS 17 YEARS OLD BUT WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND WELL-MAINTAINED AND HAD RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE ACCORDING TO ALL VOLVO'S PR CLAIMS. I ENDED UP NOT HAVING MY VEHICLE AT ALL, BECAUSE VOLVO DIRECTED THAT THE CAR COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNTIL THE CASE WAS SETTLED AND THE STORAGE FEE AT THE SERVICE SHOP ACCUMULATED TO OVER $3600, MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR AND I FINALLY SIGNED THE TITLE OVER TO THE SERVICE SHOP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10662195
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2006
Air BagsInjury
1988 740 AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONED. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER TURN ON THE IGNITION THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DEPLOYMENT MOMENTARILY KNOCKED THE CONSUMER UNCONSCIOUS. THE AIR BAG SLAMMED INTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CONSUMER'S FACE AND LEFT BREAST. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED A BLOODY NOSE AND EYE, CHEMICAL BURNS AND IMMEDIA…
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1988 740 AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONED. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER TURN ON THE IGNITION THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DEPLOYMENT MOMENTARILY KNOCKED THE CONSUMER UNCONSCIOUS. THE AIR BAG SLAMMED INTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CONSUMER'S FACE AND LEFT BREAST. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED A BLOODY NOSE AND EYE, CHEMICAL BURNS AND IMMEDIATE SWELLING OF HER FACE. THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO SUSTAINED 20% LOSS OF VISION IN HER RIGHT EYE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10168035
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2001
Air BagsInjury
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED AT JUST A FEW MILES PER HOUR WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #745654
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2000
Electrical SystemFire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR OVER TWO HOURS SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM HOOD AREA. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME, OPENED THE HOOD, AND IT BURSTED INTO FLAMES. IT MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A SHORT CIRCUT OF THE WIRE HARNESS. VOLVO HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #869529
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 1998
Electrical SystemFireInjury
BATTERY CABLES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE RESULTING IN AND ENGINE FIRE CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO RECIEVE BURNS TO THE ARM AND WRIST WHILE EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE.
NHTSA ODI #529949
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 1998
Electrical System
RECALL ON THE INSULATION ON THE BATTERY CABLES WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SHORT CIRCUIT, RECALL NOT DONE BECAUSE OF DEALER LOCATION PROBLEMS.
NHTSA ODI #528650
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 1997
Visibility
WINSHIELD WASHERS FAILED, AFFECTING VISIBILITY. ALSO CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #513844
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 1997
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE INTO GARAGEVEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. OWNER TURNED OFF VEHICLE AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *NLM
NHTSA ODI #817114
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 1997
Vehicle Speed Control
ENGINE EXPERIENCES SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITHOUT WARNING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #811583
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 1996
Electrical SystemCrash
DRIVING VEHICLE AT A SPEED OF 50MPH, VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, IMPACT 6:00 POSITION. *AK
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: INSTALL LABELS TO INSTRUCT THE USER IN PROPER SAFETY BELT ROUTING; ALSO REPLACE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES.
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