1990 Volvo 740 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
31 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
115,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 31 complaints (29.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 29.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 12.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 9.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 25 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 | 7 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
1995: 7; 1996: 6; 2000: 5; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2010: 2; 2015: 2
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10152406 · 2006-03-10 (March 10, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING OVER A HILL AT 45 MPH, A DEER ENTERED THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE DEER. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND DOWN AN EMBANKMENT STRIKING TREES. THE FRONT END WAS DAMAGED IN THE COLLISION. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A TECHNICIAN WHO DETERMINED, BASED ON THE SPEED AND ANGLE THE VEHICLE MADE CONTACT,…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10185465 · 2007-03-18 (March 18, 2007)
IN A PARKING LOT AT A LOCAL GROCERY STORE, MY DAUGHTER AND I WENT INTO THE CAR, STARTED IT AND SHIFTED THE GEAR, WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE, FROM PARK MODE TO REVERS MODE TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. AS SOON AS I SHIFTED IT, THE CAR TOOK OFF IN FULL SPEED BACKWARD AS IF IT WAS CRAZY, HITTING A CAR AND A PASSENGER THAT WAS COMING OUT OF THE CAR. AS MY CAR HIT THE 2ND VEHICLE'S OPEN DOOR, IT BOUNCED FORWARD, ALSO IN FULL SPEED. BY THIS TIME, I SHIFTED THE GEAR TO PARK MODE IN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE CAR. NEVERTHELESS, THE CAR FLEW AND HIT A SUV AND AS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10185465 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044474 · 2003-10-20 (October 20, 2003)
VEHICLE FIRE AS A RESULT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.*MR VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AT WORK FOUR HOURS AFTER IT WAS PARKED. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED UPON DISCOVERING IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME THAT NIGHT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY. CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF THE BATTERY CABLES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND LEARNED OF A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE 740 MODELS. CONSUMER BELIEVED THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE BATTER CABLE CAME TOGETHER AND RAN DOWN A RUBBER TUB …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10044474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478219 · 1995-01-04 (January 4, 1995)
OTHER: AIRBAG SENSORS ARE NOT WATER RESISTANT AND COULD INFLATE IF VEHICLE HAS WATER DAMAGED IF BATTERY IS NOT DISCONNECTED. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478219 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10319236 · 2010-03-12 (March 12, 2010)
RAPID ACCELERATION INCIDENT IN A 1990 VOLVO 740 TURBO SEDAN. GIVEN THE RECENT PRESS RE TOYOTA, I WOULD JUST LIKE IT KNOWN THAT THE ISSUE MAY EXTEND TO OTHER MANUFACTURERS AS WELL. MY VEHICLE BECAME "POSSESSED" IN A PARKING GARAGE IN DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS IN 1996. I WAS ABOUT TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, AND IT WENT INTO A SUPER HIGH SPEED REVERSE (ON ITS OWN FROM ZERO TO PERHAPS 40 MPH?) WHILE MY FOOT WAS JAMMED IN TERROR ON THE BRAKE. I WAS ABLE TO THROW THE TRANSMISSION INTO FIRST GEAR, WHICH DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, AND SHUT OFF THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10319236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 488271 · 1995-09-27 (September 27, 1995)
SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488271 at NHTSA ↗