Tl* the contact owned a 1990 volvo 740. While the vehicle was in the garage, it suddenly accelerated to approximately 60 MPH. The vehicle slammed into a brick wall. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The brake pedal was soft and would not respond. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact was bleeding from his head and required medical attention. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
The worst 1990 Volvo 740 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Acceleration14
- Airbags9
- Electrical7
- Brakes5
- Engine5
- Seat belts2
- Suspension2
- Transmission2
- Wheels2
- Body1
- Fuel system1
- Lights1
- Locks1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1990 Volvo 740
Recalls 2
Seat belts: front: anchorage
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Consequence of defect: safety belt misuse could cause the seat occupant to face greater risk of injury in a sudden stop or vehicle accident if an inadvertent release of the safety belt occurred.
- Remedy
- Install labels to instruct the user in proper safety belt routing; also replace safety belt buckles.
Recall number 91V075000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source,could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Replace fuel damper.
Recall number 90V165000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1990 Volvo 740
Defect investigations
Inadvert. Air bag deploys
There is no summary currently available
EA94015
Technical service bulletins for the 1990 Volvo 740 66
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Vida qr
- Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
- Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly...
- This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be...
- This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Technician Skillset Requirments
- Software Installation Policy changes.
- Retailers should only use a Volvo part number on claims for items purchased directly from Volvo
- This is a Service Product Journal: Information Notice
- Winter Wheel Applications including rim sizes, steel wheel parts numbers and wheel cover part numbers
- This is a Technical Journal: When sensitive information, like vehicle speed, brake usage, etc
What 1990 Volvo 740 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1990 volvo 740. While reversing into a parking space, the vehicle independently accelerated and crashed into a parked vehicle. The service brakes and emergency brake failed to stop the vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The contact had to remove the keys from the ignition in order to stop the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Normal everyday use. The seat belt buckles fall part.
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 engine, before I smashed into a car behind me. I was afraid to drive the car, but took the car to the dealer, who could find nothing wrong and found no recalls. I sold the car long ago, but thought you should know. I love volvo and still believe they are safe cars, so I regret to bring this up.
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 the airbag broke, my car stopped. The SUV was then sandwiched in between my car and a parked car in front of it. Both cars were empty but the passenger from the first car was badly bruised in her side and knee. The sudden acceleration had occured and the tire marks remained from the starting location to the end because I was pushing the brake all the time, nevertheless, the car flew unintentionally. Since it is a very unusual case, nothing has been done to the car yet and I will probably total that car.
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, the airbags should not deploy. There have been no repairs to the vehicle. Updated 03/28/06.
The radiator opening to which the hose attaches [for return of the coolant to the engine] cracked and broke off. There are cracks in the plastic portion of the radiator where the hose attaches. The failure is not the result of any impact or other external forces. The plastic out of which the radiator is made is either defective of inadequately designed for normal wear and tear. I am told that no repair is possible. The entire radiator must be replaced.
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 that secured the inter frame. At the end of the rubber tube the positive cable ran across the front cross member to the starter. The negative battery cable after leaving the rubber tube cross over the positive battery cable going to ground itself to the engine. Over the years the two cables rub together till the sheating worn down and making contact causing the short circuit and fire. The damage from the fire ( positive/negative cable burned all the way through, both power steering hose burned, oil sending unit and connecting wire, splash pan melted from fire dropping on it, the A/C compressor hose burned to the point where you could see tread coming from the hose. The items were replaced but the A/C wasn't working.
The rear wheel cracked in half, which caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Which resulted in an accident.
Consumer states the air bag spontaneously deployed as the vehicle slowed down going 5-10mph to a stop. No air bag warning light illuminated to specify a problem. Dealer was notified. Please provide more information. Ts
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Questions about the 1990 Volvo 740
Is the 1990 Volvo 740 reliable?
Owners have filed 47 complaints about the 1990 Volvo 740, 47.0 times a typical 740 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1990 Volvo 740?
Acceleration and speed control, with 14 complaints. Next is airbags (9).
How many recalls does the 1990 Volvo 740 have?
2 recalls, covering seat belts and fuel system, gasoline.
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