RecallMyCar

1985 Volvo 740 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1985 Volvo 740, and owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
10
owner complaints to NHTSA
1 / 1
complaints citing a crash / fire
18–24
MPG combined (EPA)

3 safety recalls for the 1985 Volvo 740

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1985 Volvo 740 have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 10,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 1999 with 2 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“When pressing on the accelerator pedal vehicle did not accelerate. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership for inspection, mechanic determined that the wiring harness failed. *ak”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 6, 2004 · Vehicle speed control

“When pressing on the accelerator pedal vehicle did not accelerate. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic determined that wiring harness failed. *ak”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 6, 2004 · Vehicle speed control

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1985 Volvo 740/760. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined18–24 mpg
City / Highway16–22 / 20–28
FuelDiesel, Regular
EPA classMidsize Cars
Engine4/6 cyl, 2.3/2.4/2.9 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 4-spd

Compare Volvo 740 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Volvo 740 model year in NHTSA's database.

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

Checking a specific 1985 Volvo 740

How do I know if my 1985 Volvo 740 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1985 Volvo 740; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Volvo dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 85V002000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

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.