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1988 Volvo 760: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1988 Volvo 760, most recently filed May 1991. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Recalls 2campaigns 1 seat belt · 1 lighting Source: NHTSA Complaints 8filed Owner reports, 1985–1990 shown Source: NHTSA ODI
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1988 Volvo 760. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1988 Volvo 760. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 91V075000 Filed May 6, 1991

INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE SEAT AND SHOULDER BELTS AN

Seat belts · front · anchorage
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: SAFETY BELT MISUSE COULD CAUSE THE SEAT OCCUPANT TO FACE GREATER RISK OF INJURY IN A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE ACCIDENT IF AN INADVERTENT RELEASE OF THE SAFETY BELT OCCURRED.
Remedy
INSTALL LABELS TO INSTRUCT THE USER IN PROPER SAFETY BELT ROUTING; ALSO REPLACE SAFETY BELT BUCKLES.
Repair progress not yet reported485 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 91V075000
Listed for 1988 Volvo 760. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 87V195000 Filed Dec 29, 1987

LIGHTING:SWITCH:BUTTON:RING:HEAD LIGHTS

Exterior lighting · headlights · switch
Official NHTSA text
Summary
HEADLIGHT SWITCH CONTAINS COMPONENTS WHICH MAY COME LOOSE UPON OPERATION AND CAUSE SHORT CIRCUITS IN THE SWITCH.
Consequence
IF THIS OCCURS, THE HEADLAMPS WILL NOT FUNCTION, ANDCHARRING OF THE INSULATION OF CERTAIN WIRES TO THE SWITCH MAY RESULT.
Remedy
ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES WILL HAVE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH REPLACED.
Repair progress not yet reported2,930 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 87V195000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Which 760 years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Volvo 760All model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (8)

8 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
1involved a fire
3injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1988 Volvo 760, by component (top 6). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 8.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1988 compares with other 760 years

Best and worst 760 years →
2 5 12 8 13 14
198519861987198819891990
This year (1988)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1988 760 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All 760 years

Where to next

Which 760 years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →1989 Volvo 760 report13 complaints · 3 campaigns →1987 Volvo 760 report12 complaints · 2 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

1988 Volvo 760 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1988 Volvo 760 have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 91V075000 (seat belt), 87V195000 (lighting). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1988 Volvo 760 problems?

Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (4), Electrical system (1), Engine and engine cooling (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

How does the 1988 760 compare with other years?

Among the 1985–1990 Volvo 760 model years at least five years old, the 1985 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 1990 the most (14). The 1988 drew 8. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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