1988 Volvo 740 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
163,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 11 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 18.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 18.2% |
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 | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
Air Bags: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 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). 10 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 | 5 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
1995: 2; 1996: 5; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2006: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10662195 · 2014-12-04 (December 4, 2014)
I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY AND THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED, STRIKING ME IN THE FACE AND CHEST, KNOCKING ME UNCONSCIOUS AND DAMAGING MY RIGHT EYE AND BREAST AND CAUSING CHEMICAL BURNS ON MY FACE AND NECK. I WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND SPENT MOST OF THE NIGHT AT THE HOSPITAL AND FOLLOWUP THE FOLLOWING DAY BY EYE SURGEONS AND RETINA SPECIALISTS. I SUSTAINED PERMANENT DAMAGE TO MY RIGHT EYE WHICH RESULTED IN A BLIND-SPOT. I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE OR WORK FOR A WEEK. I REQUIRED EXTENSIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL MONTHS…
Owner-reported narrative. 163,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10662195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801998 · 1996-09-09 (September 9, 1996)
DRIVING VEHICLE AT A SPEED OF 50MPH, VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT, IMPACT 6:00 POSITION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801998 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 986423 · 1996-07-02 (July 2, 1996)
VEHICLE HAD BATTERY CABLE SHORT CAUSING ERRACTIC LIGHTING OPERATION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 986423 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 986952 · 1996-07-29 (July 29, 1996)
PE96-019 ACTIVE, ELECTRICAL SHORT, UNDER THE HOOD FIRE,AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE FOR 1/2 HOUR.*AK THE FIRE COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT UNDER THE HOOD, THE AUTOMOBILE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY, VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 986952 at NHTSA ↗