The 1985 Volvo 740 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 114,477 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. 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.
ENGINE WIRING HARNESS COULD CHAFE AGAINST AN AIR CONDITIONING PIPE.
Consequence
A SHORT CIRCUIT AND MALFUNCTIONING OF THE ELECTRICALSYSTEM, AS WELL AS CHARRING OF THE WIRING INSULATION, COULD RESULT.
Remedy
RELOCATE WIRING HARNESS AND SECURE WITH A NEW BRACKET AND CLAMP.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING85V0020001985-12-027,390 affected
Defect
CERTAIN VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH WATER PUMP PULLEYS WHICH MAY CONTAIN A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, REDUCING THE DURABILITY OF THE PULLEY. CONSEQUENCE OF…
Remedy
INSPECT AND REPLACE THE PULLEY WHERE NECESSARY.
Complaints by component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
1crashes
Total complaints10
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“When pressing on the accelerator pedal vehicle did not accelerate. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership for inspection, mechanic determined that the wiring harness failed. *ak”
“When pressing on the accelerator pedal vehicle did not accelerate. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership for inspection, and mechanic determined that wiring harness failed. *ak”
“After driving from the grocery store, I stopped at a store and let my granddaughter run in for a coke. While she was inside,I let the car idle. Within 3 minutes, the engine compartment was on fire. No warning lights came on and the motor never gave any indication of a problem. The people in the…”
“Part failed again 12/28/2000”
“No summary listed for this vehicle. *ak”
“There is a short within electrical system which is draining the battery, and vehicle won't start unless the consumer gives vehicle a boost. Dealer is aware of problem. *ak”
“Automatic transmission failure. *ak”
“Vehicle was in idle position, changed from park to drive, vehicle went into open throttle position rpms unknown, impact 12:00 position. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1985 Volvo 740 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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