1985 Volvo 740 problems

General information about Volvo-740
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

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 luxurious 760, followed two years later by the lower priced 740 which capitalized on the prestige attained by the very similar 760. 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.

The most visible differences between the 700 and the 900 series were the more rounded corners on the body of the latter, and a somewhat better-appointed interior. The 700 series came to an end in late 1992 when the last 740s were built (although they were considered to be of model year 1993). The range had been augmented and finally supplanted by the Volvo 900 in 1993, with the last of the 900s being sold in 1998.

Volvo 740

Introduced in early 1984 (in the U.S. and Australia for the 1985 model year), the 740 arrived nearly two years after the luxurious 760. It was the lower-end version of the original 760, intended to be a mid-size car that offered more style, performance, and luxury than the 200 series. The '4' in the middle of the Volvo model name had once signified a four-cylinder engine, but by the time of the introduction of the 740 it simply meant less luxurious equipment as four- and six-cylinder engines were fitted across both ranges. The 740 was available as a four-door sedan (sometimes referred to as the 744) and a five-door station wagon (also known as the 745). The station wagon premiered simultaneously at the 1985 Toronto and Chicago auto shows in early February 1985. The wagon was aimed squarely at the North American markets and only went on sale in Europe several months later, in the fall of 1985.

The Volvo 740 was a popular choice as a police car in several parts of Europe, especially so with the police in Scandinavian countries.

For 1985, an intercooled version of the 2-litre turbo engine (B200ET) was introduced for markets such as Italy, where larger engines were heavily taxed. This unit produces 160 PS (118 kW) at 5500 rpm, ten horsepower more than the preceding non-intercooled B19ET variant, enough for a claimed 200 km/h (124 mph) top speed. Model year 1986 marked the worldwide introduction of the station wagon; other differences were limited to a new font for the "740" badging and new hubcap designs. First shown at the 1988 Geneva Motor Show with tentative specifications but only going on sale with the introduction of the 1989 model year cars, a 16-valve version of the larger B230 engine was introduced (B234). This model has nearly as much peak power as the turbo version and was Volvo's first multi-valve engine.

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Common 1985 Volvo 740 problems

Based on complaints from owners of the Volvo 740 1985, several common problems have been identified:

High Mileage Concerns: Given that many Volvo 740s are now road veterans, with the newest ones being 12 years old, high mileages are common among these vehicles. Owners need to be cautious when inspecting these cars before purchase and ensure they have been well-maintained to avoid potential issues associated with wear and tear.

Suspension and Brake Wear: The Volvo 740 has a simple suspension system with MacPherson Strut suspension at the front and coil springs on a solid axle at the rear, which is generally trouble-free.

Tire Pressure and Rotation: Maintaining proper tire pressure is crucial for the Volvo 740, as unbalanced tire pressures can lead to the car not driving straight and potentially trick owners into unnecessary tire rotations. Regular tire rotation every 5000-10000 miles is recommended to ensure even wear and optimal performance.

Starting Issues: Diagnosing no-starts on the Volvo 740 models can be a common problem for owners. Issues related to the battery, starter solenoid, ignition switch, fuel delivery, and electrical components like the ignition coil or distributor's Hall sensor can lead to starting problems that require thorough troubleshooting and potential repairs.

By addressing these common problems associated with the Volvo 740 1985, owners can better understand the potential issues they may face and take proactive measures to maintain and enhance the performance and longevity of their vehicles.

Is the Volvo 740 a reliable car?

Tough and reliable, the 700-series as capable of huge mileages thanks to great build quality, and the survival rate is exceptionally high.

How much is a Volvo 740 worth?

The value of a used 1990 Volvo 740 ranges from $1,341 to $8,778, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.

Is Volvo 740 safe?

True to Volvo's ethos, the 740 was designed with safety as a priority. It featured advanced (for the time) safety features such as anti-lock brakes, front, and rear crumple zones, and a reinforced passenger compartment.

What is the top speed of Volvo 740?

Specs

Engine Specifications.
Engine Configuration. I.
Petrol.
RWD.
172 - 193 km/h.
9.7 - 13 s.

Is the Volvo 740 a reliable car?

Tough and reliable, the 700-series as capable of huge mileages thanks to great build quality, and the survival rate is exceptionally high.

Is Volvo 740 safe?

What is the top speed of Volvo 740?

Specs

Engine Specifications.
Engine Configuration. I.
Petrol.
RWD.
172 - 193 km/h.
9.7 - 13 s.

What was the last year for the Volvo 740?

1992

Production of the 740 ceased on 2 October 1992, though the engine, transmission, chassis, and other details continued in the Volvo 940 (introduced in September 1990), which was essentially identical to the 740 with the exception of the rear of the sedans.

1985 Volvo 740 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volvo 740 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Vehicle speed control problems
Electrical system problems
Engine and engine cooling problems
Steering problems
Structure problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1985 Volvo 740 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1985 Volvo 740 complaints

The NHTSA has received 10 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1985 Volvo 740.

2004-05-06

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2004-05-02
VIN: YV1DX8843F2
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FAILED. *AK

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2004-05-06

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2004-05-02
VIN: YV1DX8843F2
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT WIRING HARNESS FAILED. *AK

Add Complaint

2003-08-11

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
VIN: YV1FX7655F1
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary: THE WIRE PLASTIC INSULATION AROUND ENGINE IS CONTINUOUSLY DISINTEGRATING AND FALLING OFF. *AK

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2001-01-03

STEERING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2000-01-28
VIN: YV1DX7649F1
Components: STEERING
Summary: PART FAILED AGAIN 12/28/2000

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2000-08-31

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2000-08-15
Fire: 1
VIN: YV1DX8847F1
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: AFTER DRIVING FROM THE GROCERY STORE, I STOPPED AT A STORE AND LET MY GRANDDAUGHTER RUN IN FOR A COKE. WHILE SHE WAS INSIDE,I LET THE CAR IDLE. WITHIN 3 MINUTES, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE MOTOR NEVER GAVE ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. THE PEOPLE IN THE PARKING LOT TOLD ME TO GET OUT OF THE CAR ,IT WAS ON FIRE, I CUT OFF THE CAR , POPPED THE HOOD AND THEN STARTED TO OPEN THE HOOD BUT THE SMOKE WAS SO THICK, DARK TAN AND PEPPERED WITH BLACK, THAT I COULDN'T GET CLOSE. THE STORE EMPLOYEES CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THEY CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE WIRING, PLASTIC CONTAINERS,HOSES, INSULATION, ETC. WERE BURNT TO A CRISP. WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!

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1999-07-13

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1999-06-15
VIN: YV1FX8759F1
Components: STRUCTURE
Summary: NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

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1999-06-22

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1999-05-12
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: THERE IS A SHORT WITHIN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH IS DRAINING THE BATTERY, AND VEHICLE WON'T START UNLESS THE CONSUMER GIVES VEHICLE A BOOST. DEALER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

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1997-10-22

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1997-08-01
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK

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1996-08-19

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1996-08-04
Crash: 1
VIN: YV1DX8844F1
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: VEHICLE WAS IN IDLE POSITION, CHANGED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, VEHICLE WENT INTO OPEN THROTTLE POSITION RPMS UNKNOWN, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION. *AK

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1995-06-13

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 1995-06-13
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. *AW

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1985 Volvo 740 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1985 Volvo 740.

1991-05-06

Manufacturer: VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Summary: 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.

1987-05-11

Manufacturer: VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
Summary: 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.

1985-12-02

Manufacturer: VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Summary: CERTAIN VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH WATER PUMP PULLEYS WHICH MAY CONTAIN A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, REDUCING THE DURABILITY OF THE PULLEY. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE PULLEY FAILS, PIECES MAY BE THROWN ABOUT INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO ENGINE COMPONENTS. IF THE HOOD SHOULD BE OPENED IT IS POSSIBLE A PULLEY FAILURE COULD CAUSE INJURY TO PERSONS IN THE AREA.
Remedy: INSPECT AND REPLACE THE PULLEY WHERE NECESSARY.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 1985 Volvo 740 problems:

starter motor not disengaging.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1636

Jun 11, 2004 ... i have a 1985 volvo 740 gle. i'll have a look at that when i get a chance, thanks. Top. LaRy: Posts: 302: Joined: 15 January 2004: Year and ...

Volvo 740 Problems and Complaints - 8 Issues

https://repairpal.com/problems/volvo/740

Top Volvo 740 Problems · Engine Stalling Due to Mass Airflow Sensor Failure · No Start Due to Failed RPM Sensor · "No start" Due to Failed Fuel Pump Relay.

Volvo 740 760 780 buyers guide

http://www.volvotips.com/index.php/740-760-780/volvo-740-760-buyers-guide/

A broken odometer and tripmeter is a very common problem on a Volvo 700-series car. Some people replaces it with a second-hand instrument cluster, which means ...