AI Damage1989 Volvo 740: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Volvo 740 filed 41 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 41
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 37% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 29% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 5 Equipment 5% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 2% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 15 complaints (37% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 12 complaints (29% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 3 complaints (7% of all).
- Equipment: 2 complaints (5% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.3 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 41 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Started vehicle, put it in drive with foot on the brakes and vehicle suddenly accelerated. Tt
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.
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)
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.
4 tires delaminate---dealer just gave me a pro rating would not replace free even though its obvious the tires are crap. (tiresize: 205/60/15)
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
While driving in traffic at 40 mph air bags suddenly deployed without warning. Volvo manufacturer has been contacted.
Abs brake system makes some strange sounds and vibration at low speeds or stopping. Yh
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,891 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 740 has 14 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 41, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Volvo 740?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine and cooling, service brakes. Total complaints: 41. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (34%), stalls while driving (7%), A/C or heater (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 Volvo 740?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1989 Volvo 740 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1989 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.