1989 Volvo 740 problems and owner complaints
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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 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 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 966037 · 1995-05-30 (May 30, 1995)
TRANSMISSION SHIFT DOES NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY WHEN SHIFTING TO PARK. DESCRIBE OTHER PROBLEMS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 966037 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 974126 · 1995-10-30 (October 30, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED OUT, RESULTING IN POWER LOSS, DUE TO LH CONTROL UNIT FAILURE IN THE FUEL INJECTOR. TT *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 974126 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 986590 · 1996-07-08 (July 8, 1996)
THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT CONSTANTLY DUE TO THE BATTERY BEING DRAINED FOR NO REASON. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE STALLS SOON AFTER BEING STARTED, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE IS NOT ENOUGH GAS TO RESTART VEHICLE, IT WILL EVENTUALLY RESTART, VEHICLE WAS ONCE REPAIRED, IT WORKED FINE FOR A WHILE AND THEN STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS AGAIN. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 986590 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 762690 · 2002-06-05 (June 5, 2002)
I ENTERED MY CAR AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE ENGINE, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MY LEFT HAND WAS RESTING ON THE STEERING WHELL AS I TURNED THE KEY. THE AIR BAG RIPPED MY WATCH FROM MY WRIST AND LACERATED THE WRIST IN NUMEROUS PLACES. MY NECK, CHEST AND BOTH ARMS WERE ABRAISED. VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA WAS NOTIFIED. THEY SENT A "TECHNICAL SPECIALIST TO INSPECT THE CAR. VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA SENT ME A REPORT OF HIS FINDINGS WHICH STATED, "OUR TECNHICAL SPECIALIST DID OBSERVE THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 762690 at NHTSA ↗