1985 Volvo 740: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
10,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1985 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control:Cables is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 7 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 42.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cables | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control:Cables: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 1; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
1995: 1; 1996: 1; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control:Cables leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10033536 · 2003-08-11 (August 11, 2003)
THE WIRE PLASTIC INSULATION AROUND ENGINE IS CONTINUOUSLY DISINTEGRATING AND FALLING OFF. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033536 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072228 · 2004-05-06 (May 6, 2004)
WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10072228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10072229 · 2004-05-06 (May 6, 2004)
WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WIRING HARNESS FAILED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10072229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486957 · 1995-06-13 (June 13, 1995)
PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 729626 · 2000-08-31 (August 31, 2000)
AFTER DRIVING FROM THE GROCERY STORE, I STOPPED AT A STORE AND LET MY GRANDDAUGHTER RUN IN FOR A COKE. WHILE SHE WAS INSIDE,I LET THE CAR IDLE. WITHIN 3 MINUTES, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE MOTOR NEVER GAVE ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. THE PEOPLE IN THE PARKING LOT TOLD ME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR ,IT WAS ON FIRE, I CUT OFF THE CAR , POPPED THE HOOD AND THEN STARTED TO OPEN THE HOOD BUT THE SMOKE WAS SO THICK, DARK TAN AND PEPPERED WITH BLACK, THAT I COULDN'T GET CLOSE. THE STORE EMPLOYEES CALLED THE FIRE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 729626 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 738723 · 2001-01-03 (January 3, 2001)
PART FAILED AGAIN 12/28/2000
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 738723 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801019 · 1996-08-19 (August 19, 1996)
VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE POSITION, CHANGED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION RPMS UNKNOWN, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801019 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
85V002000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
Reported: 1985-12-02 (December 2, 1985)
CERTAIN VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH WATER PUMP PULLEYS WHICH MAY CONTAIN A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, REDUCING THE DURABILITY OF THE PULLEY. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE PULLEY FAILS, PIECES MAY BE THROWN ABOUT INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPONENTS. IF THE HOOD SHOULD BE OPENED IT IS POSSIBLE A PULLEY FAILURE COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PERSONS IN THE AREA.
Remedy: INSPECT AND REPLACE THE PULLEY WHERE NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V064000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Reported: 1987-05-11 (May 11, 1987)
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS COULD CHAFE AGAINST AN AIR CONDITIONING PIPE.
Consequence: A SHORT CIRCUIT AND MALFUNCTIONING OF THE ELECTRICALSYSTEM, AS WELL AS CHARRING OF THE WIRING INSULATION, COULD RESULT.
Remedy: RELOCATE WIRING HARNESS AND SECURE WITH A NEW BRACKET AND CLAMP.
NHTSA campaign record ↗91V075000 · Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
Reported: 1991-05-06 (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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗