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1987 Volvo 740

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1987 740.

The 1987 Volvo 740 anchors the 740 platform with an engine requiring 3.7 quarts of oil at viscosities of 5W-30, 10W-30, or 15W-40 under API SL specification. The model year has drawn 18 owner complaints and three recalls, with the electrical system standing out as the top complaint area. Set against the 740's documented complaint history from 1990 through 2002 — which peaks at 51 complaints in 1990 and bottoms at a single complaint in 1995 — the 1987 model year's moderate complaint count places it ahead of the generation's most problematic period, meaning this early iteration, while not without its electrical-system issues, precedes a reliability trajectory that improved markedly over the following decade.

Model year1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.7 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type15W-40 / 5W-30 / 10W-30 API SLOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	188.6 in
Overall width	68.9 in
Overall height	55.5 in
Wheelbase	109.1 in
Curb weight	2928 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)	56/44

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.7 qt of 15W-40 / 5W-30 / 10W-30 API SL engine oil, DEXRON in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	DEXRON
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	0 Pints
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	15W-40 · API · 5W-30 · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	3.7 qt
Power Steering Fluid	DEXRON III OR EQUIVALENT

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi.

At 5,000 mi	Timing Belt (inspect)
Every 5,000 mi	Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Radio Antenna (clean) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
At 10,000 mi	Suspension System (inspect)
Every 10,000 mi	Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
Every 20,000 mi	PCV Flame Guard (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 55,000 mi	Timing Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Fuel Filter (replace) · PCV System (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record for the Volvo 740 generation shows a sharp downward trend in complaints from a peak of 51 in 1990 to single digits by 1992 and beyond, with recalls ceasing entirely after 1991. Because the provided data begins in 1990, the 1987 model year predates this documented peak, placing it at the front of the lifecycle arc where aging components likely contributed to the subsequent surge in reported issues. For the 1987 model specifically, the primary trouble spots are the Electrical System and Vehicle Speed Control, accounting for 8 and 4 complaints respectively, alongside 6 crash and 2 fire complaints; however, the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. Compared to the later, more stable years in the record, the 1987 model carries the inherent risks of being an earlier production unit that ultimately required numerous technical service bulletins and recalls in the following years. Given its position before the 1990 complaint spike and its concentration of electrical and speed control issues, the 1987 Volvo 740 is a cautious buy that should only be considered if those specific systems have been demonstrably resolved.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

6 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’95 ’98 ’00 ’02

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 18 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Electrical System8

Vehicle Speed Control4

Engine & Engine Cooling2

Power Train1

Air Bags1

Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

Fuel System, Gasoline1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

91V075000Seat Belts:Front:AnchorageReported 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. Remedy: INSTALL LABELS TO INSTRUCT THE USER IN PROPER SAFETY BELT ROUTING; ALSO REPLACE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES.

89V204000Power Train:Driveline:DriveshaftReported 17/11/1989

DRIVESHAFT COULD CONTACT THE FUEL TANK AND SCORE AND SCRAPE OUTER SURFACES OF THE TANK AT THE POINT OF CONTACT. Remedy: REPLACE FUEL TANK AND/OR INSTALL PROTECTIVE DEVICE BETWEEN DRIVESHAFT AND THE TANK.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 64 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
356EN01	2022-02-09	Equipment	VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
Service Manager	2022-02-03	Electrical System	Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery…
ST-001-2020-09-1	2020-09-18	Equipment	Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians…
ST-001-2020-06-2	2020-07-02	Equipment Adaptive/Mobility	Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians…
ST-001-2020-01-2	2020-01-30	Equipment	Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 740. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 3.7 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1987 740 take?

3.7 qt of ABOVE 10 degrees F: 15W-40 API SL OR GREATER, BELOW 68 degrees F: 5W-30 API SL OR GREATER, -13 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 10W-30 API SL OR GREATER, per the factory manual.

Does the 1987 740 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.