Model year guide

1989 Volvo 740

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1989 Volvo 740 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 28 on record.

1989 Volvo 740 — representative photo
Representative photo

1989 Volvo 740 at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints45
Combined18–21 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1989 Volvo 740 recalls 1

Seat Belts:front:anchorage NHTSA Campaign #91V075000 · 06/05/1991

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.

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.

1989 Volvo 740 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

1989 Volvo 740 MPG & running costs

Combined18–21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,450
EPA size classMidsize Cars
Transmission3 options
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume17 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$5,250 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 8 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1989 Volvo 740 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,250
Fuel only$17,250
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
188.6 in
Width
68.9 in
Height
55.5–56.3 in
Wheelbase
109.1 in
Curb weight
2,954–3,082 lb
Front track
58.3 in
Rear track
57.5–58.7 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1989 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 1996

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 66

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 66.

VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App

Bulletin 356EN01 · Equipment · Feb 2022

Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)

Bulletin Service Manager · Electrical System, Equipment · Feb 2022

Mandatory 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 2020

Mandatory 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 2020

Mandatory 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 2020

This 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 2019

This 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 2019

This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Technician Skillset Requirments

Bulletin SMB00-438-2019-1 · Equipment · Nov 2019

Software Installation Policy changes.

Bulletin SMB00-006-2019-1 · Electrical System · Nov 2019

Mandatory 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 2019

Source: 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.

1989 Volvo 740 vehicles on record

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Other Volvo 740 model years

1992 1991 1990 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984

1989 Volvo 740 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1989 Volvo 740 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1989 Volvo 740. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1989 Volvo 740?

Across all 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine and engine cooling, service brakes.

What gas mileage does the 1989 Volvo 740 get?

The 1989 Volvo 740 has U.S. EPA estimates of 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (8 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.