VehicleVerdict

1987 Volvo 740 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 16 complaints on file for the 1987 Volvo 740 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

16

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other 740 years?

740 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted55 complaints1985: 10 complaints1986: 11 complaints1987: 16 complaints1988: 16 complaints1989: 50 complaints1990: 55 complaints1991: 24 complaints1992: 8 complaints1993: 2 complaints1995: 1 complaints1998: 2 complaints2000: 3 complaints2002: 1 complaints
740 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 740 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1987 Volvo 740 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System850%
Engine213%
Speed Control213%
Airbags16%
Fuel System16%
Transmission16%
Brakes16%

Does the 1987 Volvo 740 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

91V075000Seat BeltsMay 6, 1991 · 485 units

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.

89V204000TransmissionNovember 17, 1989 · 38,000 units

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.

87V064000Electrical SystemMay 11, 1987 · 106,602 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. WISPS OF FOUL-SMELLING SMOKE ISSUED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I PARKED THE CAR AND EVACUATED THE OCCUPANTS. THE CAR RESTARTED BY ITSELF, RAN FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN STALLED. DURING THIS TIME, FIRE SPREAD FROM THE DASHBOARD AND ENGULFED THE ENTIRE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 18, 2001 · fire

“WHILE BACKING OUT DRIVEWAY, CHANGE GEARS FROM PARK TO REVERSE VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION LOST CONTROL HITTING A CURB UNDER THE BOTTOM DAMAGE. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 29, 1994 · crash

“I PARKED MY CAR AND LEFT FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTE. WHEN I RETURNED WAS IN FLAME. THE FIRE CONSUMED THE ENTIRE CAR. TRUNK AND TIRES WERE THE ONLY THINGS NOT BURNED.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine

“FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES IN THE PAST 7 YEARS. THIS ALSO REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF FRONT BRAKE PADS. WORN ROTORS CAUSE SEVERE SHAKING IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITION.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 21, 1991

“ON 6/18/00 I BOUGHT A VOLVO FROM WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A DEALER. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO REVERSE. FOUR DAYS AFTER THAT , I TOOK IT BACK TO FIND OUT THAT HE WAS NOT REAL DEALER, AND THAT HE LIED TO MY CREDIT CARD HOLDER SAYING THAT I BOUGHT AUTO PARTS WHEN I BOUGHT A CAR. HE SAYS THAT I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 20, 2000

1987 Volvo 740 — common questions

Is the 1987 Volvo 740 reliable?

The record is thin — 16 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1987 740 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (8 complaints), engine (2 complaints), speed control (2 complaints).

Does the 1987 Volvo 740 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Volvo 740. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volvo 740 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 740 years to avoid are 1990, 1989. The cleanest record among 740 years belongs to 2002.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.