1989 Volvo 740: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
205,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 28 complaints (17.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 39.3% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 10.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 4 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2 |
| Electrical System:Starter Assembly | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Electrical System: 4; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 4; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Electrical System:Starter Assembly: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 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 | 0 |
| 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 | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 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: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 27 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 | 6 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1995: 6; 1996: 13; 2000: 1; 2001: 3; 2002: 2; 2004: 1; 2008: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 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 10100165 · 2004-11-18 (November 18, 2004)
MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH VOLVOVILLE USA FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN 96V08500 FOR DATE BELOW. SHOWED UP ON TIME AND PROVIDED VIN # FOR VEHICLE THAT WAS PURCHASED FROM VOLVOVILLE (AS A NEW CAR BY MY WIFE PENNIE WILFONG ) AND ALL OTHER DATA REQUESTED BY SERVICE WRITER. I STATED I WAS NOT INTERESTED IN ANY OTHER SERVICE AND ONLY WANTED THE RECALL ITEM TAKEN CARE OF. THE SERVICE WRITER WENT INTO HER DATABASE AND INFORMED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THERE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY EXPLANATION EVEN WHEN ONE WAS REQUESTED. THE CAR WAS NEVER IN THE SERVICE BAY FOR INS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10100165 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10239177 · 2008-08-21 (August 21, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 VOLVO 740. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXCESSIVELY OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED AN OIL LEAK UNDER THE HOOD. WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PC VALVE FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10239177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10669236 · 2014-12-31 (December 31, 2014)
WHILE BRAKING AT THIS SPEED OR HIGHER THE CAR STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHACK AND PULL TO THE LEFT. TOOK IT TO VOLVO AND THEY SAID THE CALIBER WAS NOT RELEASING PROPERLY. HAD CALIBERS REPLACED SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR DUE TO A SIMILAR MALFUNCTION. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 205,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10669236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481357 · 1995-03-08 (March 8, 1995)
VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT WHEN ANTILOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED, CAUSING ACCIDENT, ALSO ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON DUE TO DIRTY SENSORS. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507632 · 1996-08-12 (August 12, 1996)
BATTERY CABLE INSULATION WORE OFF, CAUSING SHORT CIRCUIT/FIRE PRIOR TO RECALL.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 561576 · 2001-06-13 (June 13, 2001)
THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE REAR WHILE DRIVING, PRIOR TO THIS FIRE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS AND SHORT CIRCUITS, NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 561576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 567676 · 2002-09-30 (September 30, 2002)
WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A MECHANICAL FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH AN CAUSED ACCIDENT.(OHIO TRAFFIC REPORT 10-89-312) *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 567676 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 744557 · 2001-04-25 (April 25, 2001)
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 744557 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗