1989 Volvo 760 Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl RWD · 17 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Volvo 760 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1989 Volvo 760. The part named most often is vehicle speed control, with 4 complaints (31% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and fuel system (2). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 62 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system3 23%
- Fuel system2 15%
- Tires2 15%
- Air bags1 7.7%
- Engine cooling1 7.7%
- Seat belts1 7.7%
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “Car went into sudden, uncontrollable acceleration. Acceleration was so strong it could not be overcome by the brakes. Accelerator cable tore away from the back of the accelerator pedal.”
NHTSA complaint #537627, filed 1998-06Electrical system: “Vehicle caught on fire for no apparent reason while parked in the driveway. Vehicle was parked for about 3 hours before fire started. Fire inspector stated that fire was electrical related. The vehicle was totalled.”
NHTSA complaint #827410, filed 1998-08Tires: “Firestone radial special spare. Belt/tread detached from tire on 1990 Volvo 760 turbo while vehicle was in motion. No damage or injuries resulting from malfunction. Tire size 155 r15 89q.”
NHTSA complaint #10005325, filed 2003-02Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Volvo 760 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 760 RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 760 RWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| 760 Wagon RWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 91V075000May 6, 1991Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Volvo 760 1985–1990, 740 1985–1991, 940 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.
- 91V010000Jan 8, 1991Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Volvo 760 1989–1990, 780 1989–1990, 940 1991
If conditions of high ambient temperature, overfilling of the fuel tank, and insufficient torque on the sending unit lock ring exist simultaneously, fuel seepage may occur from the top of the tank.
- 89V183000Nov 3, 1989Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Volvo 760 1989
Tire information labels on the door and the information in the owners manual do not apply to the full size original equipment tire and wheel that was substituted for the "space-saver" emergency use only spare tire.
Recall details for the 1989 Volvo 760 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 62 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10212891Feb 9, 2022Equipment. VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
- 10212892Feb 3, 2022Electrical system, Equipment. Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
- 10181041Sep 18, 2020Equipment. 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…
- 10178503Jul 2, 2020Equipment. 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…
- 10171676Jan 30, 2020Equipment. 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…
- 10169394Nov 19, 2019Electrical system. 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…
- 10169393Nov 14, 2019Electrical system. 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…
- 10169391Nov 9, 2019Electrical system. Software Installation Policy changes.
- 10169389Nov 9, 2019Equipment. This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Technician Skillset Requirments
- 10169036Oct 17, 2019Equipment. 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…
Other model years of the Volvo 760
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 14 | 131,000 | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 13 | — | 3 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 8 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 12 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 5 | — | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Volvo 760 have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1989 Volvo 760 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Volvo 760 is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 4 complaints (31% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 1989 Volvo 760 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Volvo 760 get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Volvo 760 (760, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 17 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.