Volvo7401991Overview/volvo/740/1991/base/

1991 Volvo 740

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 740.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1991 Volvo 740 comes equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission and returns EPA-estimated fuel economy of 17 mpg city, 20 highway, and 18 combined, while its engine holds 4.0 quarts of oil accepting viscosities from 5W-30 to 15W-40 per API standards. In the broader complaint history spanning 1990 through 2002, the 1991 model year recorded 23 total owner complaints — well below the 51 complaints that peaked in 1990 but above the single-complaint low of 1995 — with air bags ranking as the top complaint category and one recall issued. This positions the 1991 as a mid-range year for reported issues within the 740 series, suggesting moderate owner-reported trouble relative to its siblings.

Model year19921991199019891988198719861985

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/20/18 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.6 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height55.5 in
Wheelbase109.1 in
Curb weight2954 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)54/46

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 20 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume17 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.0 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.5 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

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 miTiming Belt (inspect)
Every 5,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Radio Antenna (clean) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
At 10,000 miSuspension System (inspect)
Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect electrolyte level) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 20,000 miSteering Gear Box Assembly (inspect) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miAccessory 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 miTiming Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEGR System (inspect) · 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 significant downward trend in complaints and recalls beginning after 1990. The 1991 model year sits in the middle of this improvement arc, recording 23 complaints and 1 recall, which is a notable decrease from the 51 complaints and 2 recalls seen in 1990. This trajectory continues into 1992, where complaints further drop to 8 and recalls hit zero. For 1991, the most frequent complaints centered on Air Bags (10), followed by Vehicle Speed Control, the Electrical System, and Steering, though the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. The year also recorded 8 crash complaints and 1 fire complaint. Because it represents a marked improvement over the previous year and precedes the near-total absence of complaints in later years, 1991 is a good year to buy.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
65
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
23
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 23 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags10
Vehicle Speed Control2
Electrical System2
Steering2
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Seat Belts1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 65 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
356EN012022-02-09EquipmentVIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
Service Manager2022-02-03Electrical SystemShipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery…
ST-001-2020-09-12020-09-18EquipmentMandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians…
ST-001-2020-06-22020-07-02Equipment Adaptive/MobilityMandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians…
ST-001-2020-01-22020-01-30EquipmentMandatory 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1991 740 take?

4.0 qt of ABOVE 0 degrees F: 15W-40 API, -14 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 68 degrees F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1991 740 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 740 get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 20 highway / 18 combined mpg.