RecallMyCar

Volvo 740 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 175 owner complaints across 13 model years of the Volvo 740 (1985–2002). The most-complained-about year is 1990.

6
safety recalls, all years
175
owner complaints, all years
1986
year with most recalls
1990
year with most complaints

Pick your Volvo 740 model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2002 Volvo 74001
2000 Volvo 74002
1998 Volvo 74002
1995 Volvo 74001
1993 Volvo 74002
1992 Volvo 74008
1991 Volvo 740119
1990 Volvo 740247
1989 Volvo 740141
1988 Volvo 740216
1987 Volvo 740315
1986 Volvo 740411
1985 Volvo 740310

What Volvo 740 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 175 complaints with NHTSA. The 1990 model year has the most, with 47.

All Volvo 740 recalls (6)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Volvo 740, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 91V075000 Reported 485 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.

    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.

    Remedy: Install labels to instruct the user in proper safety belt routing; also replace safety belt buckles.

    Model years: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991

  2. Storage (fuel system)

    NHTSA 90V165000 Reported 253 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.

    Fuel damper located behind the fuel line and the fuel rail may be improperly assembled. Over time, the solder joints could allow a small amount of fuel to leak.

    Remedy: Replace fuel damper.

    Model years: 1990

  3. Driveshaft (power train)

    NHTSA 89V204000 Reported 38,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.

    Driveshaft could contact the fuel tank and score and scrape outer surfaces of the tank at the point of contact.

    Remedy: Replace fuel tank and/or install protective device between driveshaft and the tank.

    Model years: 1986, 1987, 1988

  4. Electrical system: front underhood

    NHTSA 87V064000 Reported 106,602 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.

    Engine wiring harness could chafe against an air conditioning pipe.

    Remedy: Relocate wiring harness and secure with a new bracket and clamp.

    Model years: 1985, 1986, 1987

  5. Latch (latches/locks/linkages)

    NHTSA 86V083000 Reported 1,068 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.

    The tailgate child lock can be opened from inside when the child lock is engaged. The feature to prevent the tailgate from being operated from the inside of the station wagon may not function properly. Consequence of defect: if a child is not properly secured in an approved restraint system, as required by many state laws, and is…

    Remedy: Replace tailgate latches.

    Model years: 1986

  6. Cooling system (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 85V002000 Reported 7,390 vehicles potentially affected VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.

    Certain vehicles are equipped with water pump pulleys which may contain a manufacturing defect, reducing the durability of the pulley. Consequence of defect: if the pulley fails, pieces may be thrown about inside the engine compartment and cause damage to engine components. If the hood should be opened it is possible a pulley failure…

    Remedy: Inspect and replace the pulley where necessary.

    Model years: 1985

Other Volvo models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.