SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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 →
41Owner complaints

Model-year median: 10

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
11
198615
198716
198841
198947
199019
19918
1992
Compare all 740 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
15Engine And Engine Cooling
12Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4Air Bags
3Equipment
2
All reported categories
Power Train
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Seats
1Service Brakes
1Tires
1Unknown Or Other
1

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

Equipment complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

VEICLE STOPPED, FAILED TO FUNCTION DUE TO FAULTY TIMING BELT. HAD TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC. *AK

NHTSA ODI #850312

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 1998
Equipment

AIR CONDITIONER DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE. IT WAS DESIGNED TO BRING INTO VEHICLE COOL AIR. THE ENGINE DESIGN IS CURVED, PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE COILS. MANUFACTURER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #824606

Official recalls

1

91V075000 · 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

1

PE96019 · 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.