Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Volvo 740, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 22% |
| Air bags | 8 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 12% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 4% |
| Wheels | 2 | 4% |
| Structure | 2 | 4% |
| Suspension | 2 | 4% |
| Power train | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1990 VOLVO 740. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE GARAGE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO A BRICK WALL. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE B
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 VOLVO 740. WHILE REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE SERVICE BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
RAPID ACCELERATION INCIDENT IN A 1990 VOLVO 740 TURBO SEDAN. GIVEN THE RECENT PRESS RE TOYOTA, I WOULD JUST LIKE IT KNOWN THAT THE ISSUE MAY EXTEND TO OTHER MANUFACTURERS AS WELL. MY VEHICLE BECAME "POSSESSED" IN A PAR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
IN A PARKING LOT AT A LOCAL GROCERY STORE, MY DAUGHTER AND I WENT INTO THE CAR, STARTED IT AND SHIFTED THE GEAR, WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE, FROM PARK MODE TO REVERS MODE TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. AS SOON AS I SHIFTED
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING OVER A HILL AT 45 MPH, A DEER ENTERED THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE DEER. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND DOWN AN EMBANKMENT STR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
THE RADIATOR OPENING TO WHICH THE HOSE ATTACHES [FOR RETURN OF THE COOLANT TO THE ENGINE] CRACKED AND BROKE OFF. THERE ARE CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC PORTION OF THE RADIATOR WHERE THE HOSE ATTACHES. THE FAILURE IS NOT THE RES
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
VEHICLE FIRE AS A RESULT OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.*MR VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AT WORK FOUR HOURS AFTER IT WAS PARKED. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED UPON DISCOVERING IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. VEHIC
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE REAR WHEEL CRACKED IN HALF, WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.*JB
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1990 Volvo 740. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: INSTALL LABELS TO INSTRUCT THE USER IN PROPER SAFETY BELT ROUTING; ALSO REPLACE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES.
FUEL DAMPER LOCATED BEHIND THE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL RAIL MAY BE IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED. OVER TIME, THE SOLDER JOINTS COULD ALLOW A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL TO LEAK.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE,COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: REPLACE FUEL DAMPER.
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 86 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 52 | average |
| Performance | 53 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 11 of them (22%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1990 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.