VOLVO 740 · model year

1989 VOLVO 740

50 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1989VOLVO740 carries 50 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 20 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1989 740 is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 8 filings, followed by electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables (7) and electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 28 investigation files overlapping the 1989 740. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

50
Complaints
2
Crashes
20
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

50 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD2
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20141231SERVICE BRAKES

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

Mileage: 205,000

20080821ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1989 VOLVO 740. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXCESSIVELY OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED AN OIL LEAK UNDER THE HOOD. WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PC VALVE FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

20041118ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH VOLVOVILLE USA FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN 96V08500 FOR DATE BELOW. SHOWED UP ON TIME AND PROVIDED VIN # FOR VEHICLE THAT WAS PURCHASED FROM VOLVOVILLE (AS A NEW CAR BY MY WIFE PENNIE WILFONG ) AND ALL OTHER DATA REQUESTED BY SERVICE WRITER. I STATED I WAS NOT INTERESTED IN ANY OTHER SERVICE AND ONLY WANTED THE RECALL ITEM TAKEN CARE OF. THE SERVICE WRITER WENT INTO HER DATABASE AND INFORMED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THERE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY EXPLANATION EVEN WHEN ONE WAS REQUESTED. THE CAR WAS NEVER IN THE SERVICE BAY FOR INSPECTION BY A FACTORY TRAINED TECHNICIAN I FEEL THAT SINCE I WAS NOT INTERESTED IN SPENDING ANY MONEY THAT DAY, THAT VOLVOVILLE USA WAS NOT WILLING TO HAVE A SERVICE TECHNICIAN CHECK OUT MY VEHICLE. PLEASE HAVE AN EXPLANATION PROVIDED OR HAVE THE CAR EXAMINED AS PER THE SAFTEY RECALL ISSUED BY NHSTA. THANKS. *AK

20021015POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

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

20020606AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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 PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FLOORING HAD SIGNS OF EXTENSIVE WATER DAMAGE AND THAT THE SRS SENSOR WAS HEAVILY CORRODED DUE TO THE EXPOSURE TO WATER. IT IS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE SENSOR THAT CAUSED THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY." I LIVE IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK. WE RECEIVE LARGE AMOUNTS OF SNOW IN THE WINTER. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO HAVE WATER ACCUMULATE ON THE FRONT FLOORING. THE SENSOR IS LOCATED ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT. ONE WOULD EXPECT THAT IT WOULD B

20011012TIRES

4 TIRES DELAMINATE---DEALER JUST GAVE ME A PRO RATING WOULD NOT REPLACE FREE EVEN THOUGH ITS OBVIOUS THE TIRES ARE CRAP. *AK (TIRESIZE: 205/60/15)

20010709FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

20010427EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

20000908SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM MAKES SOME STRANGE SOUNDS AND VIBRATION AT LOW SPEEDS OR STOPPING. YH

20000517AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT 40 MPH AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. VOLVO MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

19991118EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

VEICLE STOPPED, FAILED TO FUNCTION DUE TO FAULTY TIMING BELT. HAD TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC. *AK

19991118ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEICLE STOPPED, FAILED TO FUNCTION DUE TO FAULTY TIMING BELT. HAD TO BE TOWED TO MECHANIC. *AK

19990930ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE TIMING BELT HAD BROKEN WHILE WAITING AT STOP LIGHT. HAD STARTED FORWARD WHEN VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC & WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS THE TIMING GEAR. THE TIMING BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

19990908FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

FIRE--SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSED BY BATTERY CABLES.

19990311FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

BATTERY CABLES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE RESULTING IN ELECTRICAL FIRE.

19990308FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE FAILED RESULTING IN FIRE.

19990308SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ABS BRAKE SYSTEM MAKES SOME STRANGE SOUNDS AND VIBRATION AT LOW SPEEDS OR STOPPING. YH

19980623EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER DESIGN IS DEFECTIVE. IT WAS DESIGNED TO BRING INTO VEHICLE COOL AIR. THE ENGINE DESIGN IS CURVED, PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE COILS. MANUFACTURER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

19971009VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE PUTTING CAR INTO GEAR WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE.

19970325UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD CRACKED.

Compare 1989VOLVO740 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1989 VOLVO 740 have?
The 1989 VOLVO 740 has 50 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 20 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 VOLVO 740?
The most-complained component for the 1989 VOLVO 740 is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 8 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY.
Is the 1989 VOLVO 740 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.