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1989 Volvo 740

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM MAKES SOME STRANGE SOUNDS AND VIBRATION AT LOW SPEEDS OR STOPPING. YH

NHTSA ODI #782002

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1996
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ANTILOCK BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #510414

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1995
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

STARTED VEHICLE, PUT IT IN DRIVE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. TT

NHTSA ODI #972358

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 1995
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT WHEN ANTILOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED, CAUSING ACCIDENT, ALSO ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON DUE TO DIRTY SENSORS. *AW

NHTSA ODI #481357

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.