1988 Volvo 740
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Volvo 740 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 31 on record.
1988 Volvo 740 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1988 Volvo 740 recalls 2
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.
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.
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.
1988 Volvo 740 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Volvo 740 — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
BATTERY CABLE SHORT Closed
BATTERY CABLES MAY SUFFER INSULATION DAMAGE THAT COULD RESULT IN A ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
NHTSA #PE96019 · Electrical System · opened Mar 1996 · closed May 1996An 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.
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Bulletin 356EN01 · Equipment · Feb 2022Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
Bulletin Service Manager · Electrical System, Equipment · Feb 2022Mandatory 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 2020Mandatory 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 2020Mandatory 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 2020This 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 2019This 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 2019This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Technician Skillset Requirments
Bulletin SMB00-438-2019-1 · Equipment · Nov 2019Software Installation Policy changes.
Bulletin SMB00-006-2019-1 · Electrical System · Nov 2019Mandatory 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 2019Source: 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.
1988 Volvo 740 vehicles on record
1988 Volvo 740YV1745872J2129819
1988 Volvo 740YV1744883K2294378
1988 Volvo 740YV1744762J2198179
1988 Volvo 740YV1744883J2212758
1988 Volvo 740YV1744773J2232341
1988 Volvo 740YV1744765K2301962
1988 Volvo 740YV1744883J2256708
1988 Volvo 740YV1744773J2216603
1988 Volvo 740YV1744773J2272384
1988 Volvo 740YV1744883K2322566
1988 Volvo 740YV1744773J2265086
1988 Volvo 740YV1744762J2217069
1988 Volvo 740YV1744262J2214920
1988 Volvo 740YV1745842J2153108
1988 Volvo 740YV1704773E0075210
1988 Volvo 740YV1744833J2192931
1988 Volvo 740YV1744835J1251532
1988 Volvo 740YV1744842J2211869
1988 Volvo 740YV1745883J2152372
1988 Volvo 740YV1744762J2212005
1988 Volvo 740YV1744773J2195983
1988 Volvo 740YV1744773J2252710
1988 Volvo 740YV1745752J2136812
1988 Volvo 740YV1744885J1272978