1991 Volvo 740: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
135,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 13 complaints (23.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 15.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 15.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 7.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 3; Air Bags: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 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 | 3 |
| 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: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 9 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 | 2 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
1995: 2; 1996: 2; 2000: 3; 2002: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2016: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10022238 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS BROKE FROM THE ANCHORING AT THE BOTTOM DUE TO DETERIORATION OF THE PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTON. *AK *CB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022238 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10063317 · 2004-03-16 (March 16, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND AFTER 60 SECONDS THE VEHICLE STARTED UP AGAIN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10063317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10117442 · 2005-04-05 (April 5, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES ARM, CHEST, AND FACE INJURIES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10117442 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124303 · 2005-06-06 (June 6, 2005)
DT: THE OWNER TRIED TO PARK CAR AND WAS SLOWY GOING INTO THE PARKING SPACE. ALL OF SUDDEN THE CAR ACCERELATED AND IT CRASHED INTO A WALL OF A BUILDING. THEN, CAR SMOKED. OWNER SUSTAINED INJURIES . BEFORE THE CAR TOOK OFF THE OWNER WAS GOING 1-2 MPH. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND INJURED THE OWNER'S ARM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10849810 · 2016-03-15 (March 15, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 VOLVO 740GL (NA). WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO BOTH ARMS, THE LEFT SHOULDER, AND BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH AIR BAG DEBRIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 248,865. UPDATED 05/03/16*LJ *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 248,865 miles reported. Look up ODI 10849810 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 552489 · 2000-06-05 (June 5, 2000)
AIR BAG MALFUNCTONED. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 552489 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 731074 · 2000-09-11 (September 11, 2000)
I TOOK MY CAR IN WHEN THE RED LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD FOR AIR BAG LIGHTS COMING ON. THE FAIRFAX VOVLO DEALER ESTIMATED MY REPAIRS TO BE $1400.00. I FIND THIS OUTRAGEOUS, THE PART ALONE WAS $1100. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM AND OR IS THIS A ONE TIME CASE. I WILL ALSO SEND AN E-MAIL TO VOLVO. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 731074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 734121 · 2000-10-12 (October 12, 2000)
IN MAY 2000, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR EITHER NOT STARTING, AND IF IT DID START IT WOULD STALL AT ANY TIME. THIS SEEMS SIMULAR TO THE INCIDENT WITH THE RECENT COURT ORDERED RECALL OF THE FORD VEHICLE WITH THE FAULTY IGNITION UNIT WHICH CAUSES THE CARS TO STALL AT ANY TIME. IN MY SITUATION, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART THAT WAS ACTUALLY CAUSING THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE ISOLATED DOWN TO A SINGLE ITEM. THE PROBLEM THAT I WAS HAVING WAS NEVER DUPLICATED BY THE VOLVO DEALER THAT LOOKED AT IT. THEY KNEW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ONE OF THRE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 734121 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 ↗