The 1986 Volvo 740 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 146,155 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS91V0750001991-05-06485 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
POWER TRAIN89V2040001989-11-1738,000 affected
Defect
DRIVESHAFT COULD CONTACT THE FUEL TANK AND SCORE AND SCRAPE OUTER SURFACES OF THE TANK AT THE POINT OF CONTACT.
Consequence
A SMALL LEAK COULD DEVELOP WHICH COULD , IN THE PRESENCEOF AN IGNITION SOURCE, RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
REPLACE FUEL TANK AND/OR INSTALL PROTECTIVE DEVICE BETWEEN DRIVESHAFT AND THE TANK.
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…
Remedy
REPLACE TAILGATE LATCHES.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
3
3fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
2
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
1
1fires
ENGINE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1
1fires
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
1
1crashes1injuries
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
1
Total complaints11
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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 taken to a state certified mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the mass air flow sensor needed to…”
“Consumer believes wiring problem existed which caused plastic odor and fire to start when consumer noticed smoke coming from near the gear shifter, flames appeared and the passenger compartment was completely incinerated, engine relatively undamaged. *et”
“Plastic moulding covering wires coming off, electrical wires are exposed. Mechanic did not repair due to not being under warranty. *ak consumer stated due to the electrical wiring problems this cause the headlights, turn signals and parking lights to be inoperative as well as other componets that…”
“While parked in garage vehicle caught on fire. Consumer put out fire with fire extinguisher.”
“Engine fire.”
“Engine compartment fire, failure of fuel injectors, vehicle was in a idle position when saw under the hood smoke. *ak”
“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”
“There was a fire in the engine compartment of the vehicle. The vehicle was totaled. The dealer was contacted about the fire. *ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE89107 Opened 1989-04-04 · closed 1989-11-21
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Volvo 740 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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