Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1991 Volvo 740: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1991 Volvo 740, most recently filed May 1991. Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1991 Volvo 740. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1991 Volvo 740. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 91V075000 Filed May 6, 1991

INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE SEAT AND SHOULDER BELTS AN

Seat belts · front · anchorage
Official NHTSA text
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.
Repair progress not yet reported485 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 91V075000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (19)

19 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

7involved a crash
1involved a fire
7injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 Volvo 740, by component (top 9). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 19.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1991 compares with other 740 years

Best and worst 740 years →
15 16 41 47 19 8 2 1 2 2
1987198819891990199119921993199519982000
This year (1991)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined

22
mpg combined
19
city
26
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,050
CO₂ tailpipe
404 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,969per year
$247per month
682gallons a year

Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1991 Volvo 740 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22$3,050404
2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22$3,050404
2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 20$3,350444
2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 20$3,350444
2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 20$3,350444
2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 20$3,350444
2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive17 / 20 / 18$3,700494
2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive17 / 20 / 18$3,700494

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1991 740 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All 740 years

Where to next

1991 Volvo 740 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1991 Volvo 740 have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 91V075000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1991 Volvo 740 problems?

Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (11), Electrical system (2), Engine and engine cooling (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1991 Volvo 740 get?

EPA rates the 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 19 city, 26 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1991 740 compare with other years?

Among the 1987–2000 Volvo 740 model years at least five years old, the 1995 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1990 the most (47). The 1991 drew 19. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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