RoadVitals

1996 Volvo Wia

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Jun 3, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
7
Latest Sep 9, 2002
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Volvo Wia, most frequently naming the suspension, steering and engine categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 27 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Suspension516.1%
  • Steering412.9%
  • Engine39.7%
  • Electrical39.7%
  • Heating & air conditioning26.5%
  • Brakes26.5%
  • Transmission26.5%
  • Body & structure26.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
02V238000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH

Sep 9, 2002
5,532 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IT MAY NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER OF A REARWARD APPROACHING VEHICLE TO HAVE FULL VIEW OF THE LAMPS.
The 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.
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INCView on NHTSA.gov
98V255000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION:LINES AND FITTINGS

Oct 14, 1998
95,013 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NECESSARY AIR PRESSURE PROTECTION VALVE.
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INCView on NHTSA.gov
97V196004

SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB

Dec 31, 1997
39 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: CRACKS IN A HUB FLANGE CAN RESULT IN A WHEEL SEPARATION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE FRONT HUBS WITH AN IMPROVED DESIGN LEVEL 2 HUB.
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE99018ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TRUCK ROLLOVER CRASHES

Opened Mar 3, 1999
Closed Sep 14, 1999

ODI HAS RECEIVED A FLEET REPORT WHICH ALLEGES THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM ON THE SUBJECT TRACTORS CONTRIBUTES TO A LOW SPEED ROLLOVER

SUSPENSION

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Jun 3, 2014
1 injury reported

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 ID
10595787
Incident
Nov 11, 2003
Mileage
200,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 1, 2006
Fire reported

1996 CONVENTIONAL CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF IT WAS ELECTRICAL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10176427
Incident
Oct 10, 2006
BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical+8 more
Filed May 30, 2002

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 ID
565603
Incident
Sep 12, 1997
Heating & air conditioningInterior & seatsSteering+1 more
Filed May 28, 2002

CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER BEING OUT. *JG

NHTSA ID
565658
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+6 more
Filed Aug 15, 2001

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 ID
565138
Incident
Apr 9, 1997
Suspension
Filed Aug 15, 2001

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 ID
565111
Suspension
Filed Nov 18, 1999

FRONT AXLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM PROBLEMS CAUSING EXCESSIVE UNEVEN TIRE WEAR AND DETERIORATION OF OTHER COMPONENTS (BUSHINGS, STRUT ARM BOLTS STRETCHING). MJS

NHTSA ID
549593
Incident
Jun 1, 1998
AirbagsBody & structureElectrical
Filed Feb 2, 1998

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

NHTSA ID
819978
Incident
Dec 2, 1997

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

KC-2112

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN

Programming Failure - Chassis With Cummins Engine And An Allison Transmission

KC-405

POWER TRAIN

Warranty Automated Manual Transmission ( AMT, I-Shift, mDrive ) Control Housing Assembly; Guidelines For Filing A Claim For Chassis Return Visit With Transmission Issues After A Repair Requiring Control Housing Removal And Reinstallation - US07 And Newer

KC-2119

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

DTC U012100 - Lost Communication With Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Control Module, No Additional Information

KC-2143

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

(Back Office) - Cruise Control Inoperative After Updating Software VECU5 Without ESP Package (UESP)

KC-2028

POWER TRAIN

AMT Control Housing Bench Testing - False Failures

KC-2174

STEERING; SUSPENSION

Volvo Chassis - Drag Link Inspection And Replacement Criteria

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volvo Wia by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002011—
2001010—
2000010—
1999110—
1998140—
1997861—
1996Viewing871—
1995742—
1994031—
1993321—
1992020—
1991020—
1990020—
1989110—
1988010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.