Model year guide

1986 Volvo 740

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1986 Volvo 740 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 53 on record.

1986 Volvo 740 — representative photo
Representative photo

1986 Volvo 740 at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints11

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1986 Volvo 740 recalls 4

Seat Belts:front:anchorage NHTSA Campaign #91V075000 · 06/05/1991

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.

Fix: INSTALL LABELS TO INSTRUCT THE USER IN PROPER SAFETY BELT ROUTING; ALSO REPLACE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES.

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft NHTSA Campaign #89V204000 · 17/11/1989

DRIVESHAFT COULD CONTACT THE FUEL TANK AND SCORE AND SCRAPE OUTER SURFACES OF THE TANK AT THE POINT OF CONTACT.

Fix: REPLACE FUEL TANK AND/OR INSTALL PROTECTIVE DEVICE BETWEEN DRIVESHAFT AND THE TANK.

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood NHTSA Campaign #87V064000 · 11/05/1987

ENGINE WIRING HARNESS COULD CHAFE AGAINST AN AIR CONDITIONING PIPE.

Fix: RELOCATE WIRING HARNESS AND SECURE WITH A NEW BRACKET AND CLAMP.

Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch NHTSA Campaign #86V083000 · 24/06/1986

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…

Fix: REPLACE TAILGATE LATCHES.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1986 Volvo 740 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Dimensions & weight

Length
188.6 in
Width
68.9 in
Height
55.5–56.7 in
Wheelbase
109.1 in
Curb weight
2,952–3,098 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1986 Volvo 740 — ranges cover the 4 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

FUEL TANK/DRIVESHAFT Closed

===

NHTSA #PE89107 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Apr 1989 · closed Nov 1989

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 64

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 64.

VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App

Bulletin 356EN01 · Equipment · Feb 2022

Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)

Bulletin Service Manager · Electrical System, Equipment · Feb 2022

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely…

Bulletin ST-001-2020-09-1 · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Sep 2020

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely…

Bulletin ST-001-2020-06-2 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Jul 2020

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely…

Bulletin ST-001-2020-01-2 · Equipment · Jan 2020

This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the…

Bulletin TJ31946.1.2-2019 · Electrical System · Nov 2019

This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the…

Bulletin TJ31946.1.1-2019 · Electrical System · Nov 2019

This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Technician Skillset Requirments

Bulletin SMB00-438-2019-1 · Equipment · Nov 2019

Software Installation Policy changes.

Bulletin SMB00-006-2019-1 · Electrical System · Nov 2019

Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely…

Bulletin ST-001-2019-10-1 · Equipment · Oct 2019

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 740. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Volvo 740

The Volvo 700 series is a range of executive cars produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars from 1982 to 1992. The 700 series was introduced in 1982 with the premium 760 models, followed two years later by the more basic 740s, which benefited from the 760's prestige, while sharing the same bodywork. The 700 series was then gradually replaced, beginning in 1990, by the 900 series. The 700, designed by Jan Wilsgaard, was originally to have been a replacement for the 200 series, but production of that model continued until the early nineties. The expensive 780, a Bertone-designed coupé version, entered production in 1986 and departed without a direct successor only four years later.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1986 Volvo 740 vehicles on record

1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744762G2010648 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744773G2043124 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744243G2073131 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744833G2073309 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744882G2040156 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1745842G0027244 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744773G2059016 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744833H2092750 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744762G2023366 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744833G2066915 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744833G2082866 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744773G2008449 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744762G2080863 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744773G1057859 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744762G2046667 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744762G2063191 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744773G2083208 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1745773G2059940 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744773G2021049 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744762G2017113 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1745762H2067047 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1745833G2025017 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744773K2329537 1986 Volvo 740 1986 Volvo 740YV1744773G2032854

Other Volvo 740 model years

1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1985 1984

1986 Volvo 740 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1986 Volvo 740 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1986 Volvo 740. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1986 Volvo 740?

Across all 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine and engine cooling, engine.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.