1986 Volvo 740 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 1986 Volvo 740, and owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 1986 Volvo 740
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Anchorage (seat belts)
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.
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Driveshaft (power train)
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.
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Electrical system: front underhood
Engine wiring harness could chafe against an air conditioning pipe.
Remedy: Relocate wiring harness and secure with a new bracket and clamp.
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Latch (latches/locks/linkages)
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.
11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1986 Volvo 740 have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash and 6 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 140,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 1997 with 4 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Tl* the contact owns a 1986 volvo 740 gle (na). The contact stated that the mass air flow sensor malfunctioned. As a result, the vehicle was unable to pass state emissions standards. The vehicle was t”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 12, 2013 · Engine
“Forward rubber bushing tears much to often. Im afraid one day, that the driveshaft will fall and hit street , cause a spark and start a fire. *ak”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 19, 2001 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1986 Volvo 740/760 (740/760 Wagon). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 18–24 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 16–22 / 20–27 |
| Fuel | Diesel, Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars, Midsize-Large Station Wagons |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.3/2.4/2.8 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 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 year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 Volvo 740 | 3 | 10 |
| 1986 Volvo 740 | 4 | 11 |
| 1987 Volvo 740 | 3 | 15 |
| 1988 Volvo 740 | 2 | 16 |
| 1989 Volvo 740 | 1 | 41 |
| 1990 Volvo 740 | 2 | 47 |
| 1991 Volvo 740 | 1 | 19 |
| 1992 Volvo 740 | 0 | 8 |
| 1993 Volvo 740 | 0 | 2 |
| 1995 Volvo 740 | 0 | 1 |
| 1998 Volvo 740 | 0 | 2 |
| 2000 Volvo 740 | 0 | 2 |
| 2002 Volvo 740 | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1986 Volvo 740
How do I know if my 1986 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. 4 campaigns currently list the 1986 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 86V083000).
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
- XC901,528 complaints
- S601,266 complaints
- S80954 complaints
- V70933 complaints
- XC60651 complaints
- S70593 complaints
- 850569 complaints
- S40491 complaints
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.