Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 11 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports6 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
11 reports
140,000 miles · Dec 12, 2013
Engine
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 BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS RE…
Read full complaint
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 BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10555824
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2001
Power Train
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
NHTSA ODI #741115
Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2000
Electrical SystemFire
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
NHTSA ODI #784441
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 1998
Electrical System
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 ARE AFFECTED.*JB
NHTSA ODI #828203
Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CONSUMER PUT OUT FIRE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER.
NHTSA ODI #534702
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FIRE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #816411
Mileage unknown · Nov 26, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA ODI #525446
Mileage unknown · Apr 1, 1997
Electrical SystemFire
THIS PARTICULAR MODEL HAS DEFECTIVE BATTERY CABLE WHICH CAUSED A VEHICLE FIRE, HOWEVER VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO MODEL YEAR. (REPRESENTATIVE OF AUTO SHOP)
NHTSA ODI #516127
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 1997
Fuel System, GasolineFire
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, FAILURE OF FUEL INJECTORS, VEHICLE WAS IN A IDLE POSITION WHEN SAW UNDER THE HOOD SMOKE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #808482
Mileage unknown · Nov 4, 1996
Structure
HYDRAULIC SUPPORT SCREWS FRACTURED, CAUSING HOOD TO RELEASE. *AK
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 & remedy
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.
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 DEFECT: IF A CHILD IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED IN AN APPROVED RESTRAINT SYSTEM, AS REQUIRED BY MANY STATE LAWS, AND IS ALLOWED TO RIDE IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT, HE/SHE MAY OPEN THE TAILGATE INADVERTENTLY AND FALL OUT INTO THE TRAFFIC.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REPLACE TAILGATE LATCHES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE89107 · Fuel Tank/driveshaft
Opened Apr 4, 1989 · Closed Nov 21, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
===
1986 Volvo 740 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration