Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 8 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Suspension. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
8 reports
200,000 miles · Jun 3, 2014
SteeringInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLVO WIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 200,000 AND THE CURRENT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 VOLVO WIA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 200,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 650,000. UPDATED 3/24/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COLLAPSED SPINDLE BEARING. THE DRIVER SUFFERED FROM A SORE SHOULDER AND MUSCLE STRAINS IN 2005. UPDATED 6/22/2015 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10595787
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
1996 CONVENTIONAL CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF IT WAS ELECTRICAL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10176427
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
CONSUMER STATES THE TRUCK WILL NOT STAY ALIGNED, VARIOUS PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TO KEEP THE TRUCK ALIGNED SUCH AS THE TIE ROD ENDS, THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, SHOCKS, REAR TORSION BAR, RIGHT REAR AIR BAG, TORQUED ROD ARM, REPLACED REAR SPRING PINS, LEAD SPRINGS, U-BOLTS, AIR SUSPENSION LEVEL VALVE, AND THE REAR AXLE WAS RESET. …
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CONSUMER STATES THE TRUCK WILL NOT STAY ALIGNED, VARIOUS PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TO KEEP THE TRUCK ALIGNED SUCH AS THE TIE ROD ENDS, THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, SHOCKS, REAR TORSION BAR, RIGHT REAR AIR BAG, TORQUED ROD ARM, REPLACED REAR SPRING PINS, LEAD SPRINGS, U-BOLTS, AIR SUSPENSION LEVEL VALVE, AND THE REAR AXLE WAS RESET. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #565603
Mileage unknown · May 28, 2002
Electrical SystemEquipmentSteering
CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER BEING OUT. *JG
NHTSA ODI #565658
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TT ALSO, FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY NEEDED ADJUSTMENT/ HOOD WAS CRACKED/ THERE WAS A MISSING BOLT IN CROSSMEMBER/ THERE WAS A LEAK UNDER THE DASH/THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED/AIR WHISTLE NOISE IN ENGINE/PULLEY ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACEMENT/COOL FILTER REPLACED/ BRAKE BELT REPLACED/ LEFT FRONT BRAKE WAS STICKING/NEW …
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TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TT ALSO, FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY NEEDED ADJUSTMENT/ HOOD WAS CRACKED/ THERE WAS A MISSING BOLT IN CROSSMEMBER/ THERE WAS A LEAK UNDER THE DASH/THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED/AIR WHISTLE NOISE IN ENGINE/PULLEY ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACEMENT/COOL FILTER REPLACED/ BRAKE BELT REPLACED/ LEFT FRONT BRAKE WAS STICKING/NEW BRAKE SHOES WERE NEEDED/ ALTERNATOR AND STARTER SOLENOID REPLACED/ SPEED CONTROL INOPERABLE DUE TO FAULTY WIRE,/HARNESS TO CRANK SENSOR RUBBED, CAUSING INACTIVE ENGINE CODE AND WIRING HARNESS WAS SHORTING OUT. IN ADDITION, 4 BATTERIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED/ EXHAUST PROBLEMS/ FLEX PIPE REPLACED/ BROKEN INJECTOR WIRE CAUSED LOSS OF POWER. ROUGH IDLE CAUSED BY FAULTY INJECTOR. TURBO LINE WAS DAMAGED. AIR LEAKED AT TRANSMISSION, SLAVE CYLINDER REMOVED AND CLEANED, CLUTCH WHISTLED AND STUCK/ LOOSE GEARSHIFT, TRANSMISSION JUMPSOUT OF FIFTH GEAR, AND HAD BE HELD AT ALL TIMES. 3 POWER STEERING HOSES AND STEERING BOX REPLACED DUE TO LEAK, PITMAN ARM ADJUSTED. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUSPENSION PROBLEMS; PULLING TO THE RIGHT, 12 SETS OF WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED, SHACKLE PINS AND BUSHINGS REPLACED. THERE WAS VIBRATION IN FRONT END, NEW FRONT SHOCKS ADDED. AIR BAGS REPLACED; ALSO, TIRES REPLACED. STEERING AXLE FAILURE. TAP AT HEATER HOSE LEAKING, AIR CONDITIONER BELT LOOSE, CAUSING NOISE. HEATER VALVE WAS REPLACED. *SLC ...*AK
NHTSA ODI #565138
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2001
Suspension
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WHEEL BEARING IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FRONT AXLE HAS ALWAYS RUN MUCH HOTTER THAN THE OTHER SIDE, SECONDLY, CONSUMER ONLY GETS 60,000 TO 80,000 MILES OUT OF A PAIR OF STEER TIRES WHICH COULD POSSIBLY BE A RESULT OF PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRUCK PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT, FRO…
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CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WHEEL BEARING IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FRONT AXLE HAS ALWAYS RUN MUCH HOTTER THAN THE OTHER SIDE, SECONDLY, CONSUMER ONLY GETS 60,000 TO 80,000 MILES OUT OF A PAIR OF STEER TIRES WHICH COULD POSSIBLY BE A RESULT OF PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRUCK PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT, FRONT END HAS BEEN CHECKED, KING PIN LEANS TO RIGHT. *TT
NHTSA ODI #565111
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1999
Suspension
FRONT AXLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM PROBLEMS CAUSING EXCESSIVE UNEVEN TIRE WEAR AND DETERIORATION OF OTHER COMPONENTS (BUSHINGS, STRUT ARM BOLTS STRETCHING). MJS
NHTSA ODI #549593
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 1998
Air BagsElectrical SystemStructure
NOTICED NOISE, UPON TURNING THE CAB SHIFTED. THEN CHECKED THE PROBLEM OUT AND NOTICED. THE VEHICLE WAS LOOKED AT BY A VOLVO DEALER, AND THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE THE WELD BROKE ON THE ELBOW WHICH HOLDS THE CAB TO THE FRAME. IN ADDITION, REPLACED ALTERNATOR/ADJUSTED REAR AIR BAGS. *AK
CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE TWO TAIL LAMPS, BACK-UP LAMP,AND LICENSE TAG LAMP WERE MOUNTED ON INSUFFICIENTLY RIGID MOUNTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IT MAY NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER OF A REARWARD APPROACHING VEHICLE TO HAVE FULL VIEW OF THE LAMPS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ATTACH THE TWO TAIL LAMPS, BACK-UP LAMP, AND THE LICENSE TAP LAMP ON STIFFER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 31, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS 8 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE AIR SUSPENSION CONTROL VALVE SUPPLY LINE WAS NOT PLUMBED THROUGH AN AIR PRESSURE PROTECTION VALVE. IN THE EVENT OF A FAILURE, THERE WOULD BE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN THE 'B' SYSTEM AIR RESERVOIR THAT SUPPLIES AIR PRESSURE FOR THE FRONT STEER AXLE BRAKES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NECESSARY AIR PRESSURE PROTECTION VALVE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DESIGN LEVEL 1, ROCKWELL FF980 SERIES FRONT AXLE. THE FRONT AXLE HUB FLANGE CAN DEVELOP CRACKS DUE TO HIGH STRESS LEVELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CRACKS IN A HUB FLANGE CAN RESULT IN A WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE FRONT HUBS WITH AN IMPROVED DESIGN LEVEL 2 HUB.
WARNING LABELS IDENTIFYING THE CLIMBING SEQUENCE AND PROCESS WERE OMITTED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PERSONS NOT USING THE SEQUENCE AND PROCESS DURING CAB ENTRY OR EXIT OR WHEN USING THE OPTIONAL BACK OF CAB ACCESS MAY SLIP AND/OR FALL CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: VOLVO HEAVY TRUCK WILL BE PROVIDING WARNING LABELS TO BE INSTALLED BY OWNERS ON THEIR TRUCKS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS 8 HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH EATON DRIVE AXLES AND AXILOK SPINDLE NUTS. THE DRIVE AXLE HOUSINGS CONSIST OF A PLATE STEEL CENTER SECTION AND TWO FORGED SPINDLES, ONE OF WHICH IS WELDED TO EACH END OF THE CENTER SECTION. EACH SPINDLE CONTAINS A KEYWAY SLOT IN WHICH THE LOCKING TAB FOR THE WHEEL BEARING NUT LOCKING MECHANISM IS INSERTED. THE LENGTH OF THE KEYWAY SLOT MAY NOT BE LONG ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THE TAB CAUSING THE TAB TO BE DEFORMED OR DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS LOCKING TAB PREVENTS THE WHEEL BEARING NUT FROM LOOSENING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IF THIS TAB IS DEFORMED, THE NUT CAN LOOSEN ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE AXLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVE AXLE HOUSING NUTS WITH A CONVENTIONAL WHEEL NUT HARDWARE SYSTEM.
THE TRACTION SOLENOID EXHAUST CAN BE OBSTRUCTED DUE TO INADEQUATE DRAINAGE AND A BUILD-UP OF ROAD CONTAMINATION BETWEEN THE MOUNTING BRACKET AND THE SOLENOID HOUSING. THE OBSTRUCTED EXHAUST PREVENTS THE RELAY VALVE CONTROL AIR PRESSURE FROM VENTING AFTER A DIFFERENTIAL BRAKING TRACTION EVENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WOULD KEEP THE REAR AXLE SERVICE BRAKES APPLIED WITHOUT ANY BRAKE PEDAL MOVEMENT BY THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE SUSPECT VALVE AND INSTALL A NEW VALVE THAT HAS A MODIFIED SOLENOID HOUSING WHICH WILL ALLOW FOR SUFFICIENT DRAINAGE AND A NEW VALVE MOUNTING BRACKET WITH INCREASED HEIGHT TO REDUCE ENTRY OF CONTAMINATION.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 VEHICLES BUILT WITH A VOLVO 5.7 (12,500 LBS) FRONT STEERING AXLE. DUE TO HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT, THE FRONT STEERING AXLE KING PINS COULD HAVE BROKEN DURING ASSEMBLY. CONTINUED OPERATION OF A VEHICLE WITH A BROKEN KING PIN COULD ALLOW THE PIN TO WORK LOOSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE ERRATIC STEERING RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR A BROKEN KING PIN AND REPLACE THE KING PINS IF BROKEN.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE99018 · Truck Rollover Crashes
Opened Mar 3, 1999 · Closed Sep 14, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
ODI HAS RECEIVED A FLEET REPORT WHICH ALLEGES THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM ON THE SUBJECT TRACTORS CONTRIBUTES TO A LOW SPEED ROLLOVER
1996 Volvo Wia Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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