Volvo7801987Overview/volvo/780/1987/base/

1987 Volvo 780

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1987 780.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1987 Volvo 780 features an Automatic 4-spd transmission and requires 5.8 qt of oil compatible with 15W-40, 5W-30, or 10W-30 API SL viscosities. EPA ratings for this setup are listed at 15/19/16 mpg, providing a concrete efficiency baseline for the vehicle. In terms of dependability, this model year generated 2 total owner complaints focused on seats and was subject to 1 recall, a record that precedes the broader model complaint history tracked from 1990 to 2016 where annual complaints ranged between 1 and 5.

Model year19911990198919881987

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.8 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 5W-30 / 10W-30 API SLOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/19/16 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 height55.1 in
Wheelbase109.1 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 19 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.8 qt of 15W-40 / 5W-30 / 10W-30 API SL engine oil, DEXRON in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilDEXRON
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 5W-30 · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.8 qt
Power Steering FluidDEXRON 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.

Every 5,000 miDifferential (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 miSuspension System (inspect)
Every 10,000 miBattery (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 miSteering Gear Box Assembly (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Driveshaft Support Bearing (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 miFuel 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 1987 Volvo 780’s federal record must be interpreted cautiously, as the provided data begins in 1990—three years after its production—limiting direct year-to-year comparisons within its original model run. However, the 1987 model’s single fire-related complaint and isolated issues with seats and the fuel system suggest a relatively low volume of reported problems at the time, particularly when contrasted with the higher complaint counts seen in later years (e.g., 2004’s five complaints). The recall trend for the 780 generation peaks early (1990–1991) with three recalls, then drops to zero in subsequent years, implying that major safety or compliance concerns were addressed shortly after production rather than emerging later. The 1987 model falls at the very start of this arc, meaning it predates the recall spike but also lacks the benefit of later corrective actions or extended owner feedback. With no crash-related complaints and minimal reported issues, the data implies the 1987 is among the cleaner years in the 780’s federal record, though its age and the absence of contemporaneous data warrant thorough pre-purchase inspection. **Takeaway: The 1987 Volvo 780 appears to be a comparatively low-risk year to buy based on federal records, but its longevity hinges on verifying service history and addressing age-related wear.**

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
62
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Seats1
Fuel System, Gasoline1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

97V166000Electrical System:WiringReported 22/09/1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO LIMITED SPACE AND VARIATIONS IN THE ASSEMBLY OF THE CABLES, CHAFING OF THE INSULATION OF THE CABLES FEEDING THE SEAT HEATER, POWER SEAT MOTORS AND SEAT BELT WARNING… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CABLE HARNESSES AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECT OR REPLACE THESE CABLES.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 62 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…
TJ31946.1.2-20192019-11-19Electrical SystemThis is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for…

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 780. 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 1987 780 take?

5.8 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 780 have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 780 get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.