Volvo 744 problems

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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.

photo of Volvo 744 car production

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Volvo 744 model years

volvo 744 1989 photo
744 1989
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volvo 744 1987 photo
744 1987
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744 1986
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volvo 744 1985 photo
744 1985
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Common Volvo 744 problems

The Volvo 740 is a reliable and durable car, but like any other vehicle, it can have its fair share of problems. Here are some of the most common problems with the Volvo 740 based on complaints from owners:

  • Ignition Power Stage Failure: Another possibility is a faulty ignition power stage, which can cut power to the coil, killing the spark. This is normally fixed at the back of the headlight on the driver’s fender.
  • Noises Suppression Relay Failure: A third possibility is a faulty noises suppression relay, through which power to the injectors pass. Check this relay to make sure it works.
  • Clutch Problems: Some owners have reported problems with the clutch, especially when getting into first gear. This can be due to wear and tear on the clutch plate or housing, or burrs on the gear splines.
  • Gearbox Problems: The M90 gearbox, which was specified for the 900 series, can suffer from a few characteristic problems. These include stiffness when changing gears, which can be improved by changing the oil.
  • Door Lock Problems: As the Volvo 740 gets older, the door lock can fail to latch or open unexpectedly. This can be due to wear and tear on the lock mechanism or the door hinges.
  • Charging System Problems: The charging system in the Volvo 740 can have issues such as a dead battery or a bad alternator. These problems can be caused by a variety of factors, including old age, corrosion on the terminals, or a bad voltage regulator.

It's important to note that these problems are not unique to the Volvo 740 and can occur in any car. However, with proper maintenance and regular checks, many of these issues can be prevented or caught early on, ensuring the longevity and reliability of the Volvo 740.

Volvo 744

Percentage distribution of complaints by Volvo 744 years

We have researched Volvo problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Volvo 744 cars and compiled the top 4 most problematic Volvo 744 model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Volvo 744 model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Volvo 744 years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Volvo 744 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Volvo 744 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Electrical system problems
  • Unknown or other problems
  • Seat belts problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Volvo 744 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by 744 model years

There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Volvo 744 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Volvo 744 vehicles.

List of Volvo 744 complaints

Volvo 744 1989
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 1999-04-25
  • VIN: YV1FA8842K2
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: PROBLEMS SEEMS TO OCCUR IN WARM WEATHER, BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED. *AK
Volvo 744 1986
  • Date Of Incident: 1998-10-05
  • Date Complaint: 1998-10-19
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: YV1AX8844G1
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: WHILE PARKED WAITING FOR A FRIEND THE DASHBOARD STARTED SMOKING AND THEN BURSTED IN TO FLAMES,NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Volvo 744 1985
  • Date Of Incident: 1997-09-16
  • Date Complaint: 1998-02-09
  • VIN: YV1FS8817N2
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. WITH VEHICLE STOPPED DRIVER REQUIRED SEVERAL MINUTES TO WRIGGLE FREE OF BELT. IN CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRING QUICK EXIT FROM VEHICLE THIS WOULD BE A DEADLY FAILURE. *AK
Volvo 744 1987
  • Date Of Incident: 1997-07-17
  • Date Complaint: 1998-01-30
  • VIN: YV1FX8846H2
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: FIRE STARTED UNDER THE RADIO COMPARTMENT.
Volvo 744 1989
  • Date Of Incident: 1996-03-29
  • Date Complaint: 1996-08-27
  • VIN: YV1FX8847K3
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: BATTERY CABLES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.

Recalls Volvo 744

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the Volvo 744.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

  • Model: Volvo 744 1989
  • Report Received Date: 1996-05-14
  • Manufacturer: VOLVO CARS OF NA, INC.
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
  • Summary: THERE IS THE POSSIBLILITY OF EXCESSIVE CHAFING OF THE INSULATION OF THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLES.
  • Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN LEAD TO A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE VEHICLE.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CABLE HARNESS AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECT.
  • Model: Volvo 744 1985
  • Report Received Date: 1988-10-18
  • Manufacturer: VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.
  • Components: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
  • Summary: FRONT DRIVESHAFT FLANGE BOLTS MAY LOOSEN.
  • Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE DRIVESHAFT FROM THETRANSMISSION AND DAMAGE TO THE GEAR SELECTOR.
  • Remedy: REPLACE THE DRIVESHAFT FLANGE BOLTS AND NUTS; MODIFY THE JOINT BETWEEN THE DRIVESHAFT AND TRANSMISSION.
  • Model: Volvo 744 1986
  • Report Received Date: 1988-10-18
  • Manufacturer: VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.
  • Components: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
  • Summary: FRONT DRIVESHAFT FLANGE BOLTS MAY LOOSEN.
  • Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE DRIVESHAFT FROM THETRANSMISSION AND DAMAGE TO THE GEAR SELECTOR.
  • Remedy: REPLACE THE DRIVESHAFT FLANGE BOLTS AND NUTS; MODIFY THE JOINT BETWEEN THE DRIVESHAFT AND TRANSMISSION.
  • Model: Volvo 744 1987
  • Report Received Date: 1988-10-18
  • Manufacturer: VOLVO OF AMERICA CORP.
  • Components: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
  • Summary: FRONT DRIVESHAFT FLANGE BOLTS MAY LOOSEN.
  • Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE DRIVESHAFT FROM THETRANSMISSION AND DAMAGE TO THE GEAR SELECTOR.
  • Remedy: REPLACE THE DRIVESHAFT FLANGE BOLTS AND NUTS; MODIFY THE JOINT BETWEEN THE DRIVESHAFT AND TRANSMISSION.

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