IllustrationTHE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE STARTER.*AK CONSUMER STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT,AND THEN OBSERVED SMOKE IN HOOD AREA, HE PUULED OVER AN OPENED HOOD, AND THERE WAS FIRE ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE BATTERY CABLE WHICH HAD MELTED, CONSUMER PUT FIRE OUT, AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER.*JB
1989 Volvo 740
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 740 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 41 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 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 4 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 reports16 fire reports2 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
15 reportsPE96-019 ACTIVE, BATTERY SHORT, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, HAD TO REPLACE ALL ELECTRICAL PARTS. *AK
THERE IS ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WIRE DRAIN OF THE BATTERY.*AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE CUT OFF AS SHE WAS LEAVING PARKING LOT, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE DROVE ABOUT 30 FEET AND IT CUT OFF AGAIN.*JB
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE, HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN DURING THE DAY, SMOKE DETECTOR WENT OFF DOWNSTAIRS, WENT TO CHECK IN GARAGE, WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. *AK *JB
THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT CONSTANTLY DUE TO THE BATTERY BEING DRAINED FOR NO REASON. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE STALLS SOON AFTER BEING STARTED, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE IS NOT ENOUGH GAS TO RESTART VEHICLE, IT WILL EVENTUALLY RESTART, VEHICLE WAS ONCE REPAIRED, IT WORKED FINE FOR A WHILE AND THEN STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLE…
Read full complaint
THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT CONSTANTLY DUE TO THE BATTERY BEING DRAINED FOR NO REASON. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE STALLS SOON AFTER BEING STARTED, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE IS NOT ENOUGH GAS TO RESTART VEHICLE, IT WILL EVENTUALLY RESTART, VEHICLE WAS ONCE REPAIRED, IT WORKED FINE FOR A WHILE AND THEN STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS AGAIN. *SLC
Official recalls
191V075000 · Seat Belts:front:anchorage
May 6, 1991
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE96019 · Battery Cable Short
Opened Mar 4, 1996 · Closed May 21, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables
BATTERY CABLES MAY SUFFER INSULATION DAMAGE THAT COULD RESULT IN A ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.