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1996 Volvo Wia

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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

Equipment complaints

2 reports
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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

Official recalls

7

02V238000 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights:switch

Sep 9, 2002

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.

98V255000 · Suspension:front:springs:air Suspension:lines And Fittings

Oct 14, 1998

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.

97V196004 · Suspension:front:hub

Dec 31, 1997

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.

97V023000 · Structure:body

Feb 24, 1997

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.

96V233004 · Suspension:rear

Dec 2, 1996

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.

96V095000 · Service Brakes, Air

Mar 23, 1996

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.

96V038000 · Steering:linkages

Feb 22, 1996

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