RoadVitals

1997 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 Feb 11, 2003
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.
6
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Volvo Wia, most frequently naming the suspension, body & structure and interior & seats categories. 6 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

  • Suspension545.5%
  • Body & structure327.3%
  • Interior & seats19.1%
  • Transmission19.1%
  • Visibility19.1%

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

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
00V002002

PARKING BRAKE

Feb 24, 2000
13,516 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH HALDEX MANIFOLD DASH VALVES (MDV) USED IN TRACTOR AND TRAILER PARKING BRAKES. THESE VALVES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." A LOSS OF THE ISOLATION OF THE TWO BRAKE SYSTEM CIRCUITS CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES WHEN THERE IS ANOTHER FAILURE OF ONE OF THE TWO BRAKE CIRCUITS.
The risk: THE LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT VALVES.
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INCManufacturer number RVXX0002View 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

Safety investigations

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

DP01004ClosedDefect Petition

FRAME BENDING

Opened Sep 26, 2001
Closed Mar 18, 2002
SUSPENSION

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Feb 11, 2003

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR.*AK *JB

NHTSA ID
565176
Suspension
Filed May 30, 2002

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE TRUCK STARTED TO PULL VERY HARD TO THE LEFT AND CONSUMER HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME STOPPING THE TRUCK, ONCE THE TRUCK WAS UNDER CONTROL, CONSUMER GOT OUT AND NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT STEER TIRE WAS WORN DOWN TO THE VERY OUTSIDE EDGE TO THE THREAD, ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK WAS VIBRATING SO BAD THAT THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OVER, CONSUMER STATED THAT IN FEBUARY 1998 THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS REBUILT.*JB

NHTSA ID
565912
Suspension
Filed May 13, 2002

CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF REPLACING HIS 6TH SET OF STEER TIRES. *JG

NHTSA ID
565638
Suspension
Filed Apr 17, 2002

THERE IS CONSTANT SHAKING IN FRONT END OF VEHICLE AND IN STEERING WHEEL, AT ANY SPEED. DEALER HAS REPLACED TIRES AND ALIGNED VEHICLE. DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. NLM CONSUMER ADDS THAT THE VEHICLE IS STILL SHAKING VIOLENTLY. *TT

NHTSA ID
8007839
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Transmission
Filed Mar 29, 2002

TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR UNDER A LOAD ,THIS TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT NOV 2000 FOR THIS PROBLUM. IT STARTED AGAIN IN NOV.2001. OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE TRANSMISSION TELL ME THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLUM. THERE IS NOTHING AS DANGEROUS AS A TRUCK GEARING DOWN ON A HILL , AND HAVING THE TRANSMISSION JUMP OUT OF GEAR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.*AK

NHTSA ID
759990
Incident
Oct 16, 2000
Body & structureInterior & seatsVisibility
Filed Aug 15, 2001

CONSUMER STATES SLEEPER WALL SIDE SEAMS LEAK WATER.(VOLVO TRUCK 64TWIA) *YH

NHTSA ID
565031
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 19, 1999

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THERE IS VIBRATION WITHIN THE FRAME, TIRE IS WORN OUT. VECHICLE ISN'T STAYING ON TRACK, IT KEEPS GOING INTO OTHER LANES. ALSO, FRAME IS BENT. *AK THE CONSUMER POINTS OUT THAT THE APPEAL FORUM IS HELPFUL BUT THERE SHOULD BE A METHOD FOR CONSUMERS TO REACH THE MANUFACTURERS EASILY. *YH CONSUMER STATES THE PROBLEM IS PROXIMATE TO THE CROSS MEMBERS WITHIN THE FRAME RAILS, THEY ARE OF INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH TO KEEP THE FRAME RAILS WITHIN ACCEPTABLE FLEXIBILITY PARAMETERS, THIS CAUSES A TEMPORARY BREECH IN THE CONTACT POINTS BETWEEN THE FRAME AND THE FORWARD DRIVE AXLE, THIS RESULTS IN THE FORWARD DRIVE AXLE BECOMING MISALIGNED WHEN CLOSED AND CAUSES A THRUST PROBLEM TO THE STEER AXLE AS THE FORWARD DRIVE IS NOW PUSHING IT AT AN ANGLE TO A FORWARD STRAIGHT LINE, THERE IS STRESS ON REAR SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY, THE NET RESULT IS COMPONENT BREAKAGE, PREMATURE WEAR, AND A TRUCK THAT DRIFTS AND WANDERS, VOLVO REPLACED THE REAR SUSPENSION, FRONT BUSHINGS, STRAIGHTEN FRAME, AND THEY ALSO BENT THE STEER AXLE AND ATTEMPTED TO PUSH IT FURTHER BACK THUS NECESSATING THAT THEY BENT THE STEERING ROD. *SLC

NHTSA ID
845406
Incident
Feb 7, 1997
Body & structure
Filed Feb 13, 1997

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE THERE IS A VIBRATION IN THE WHOLE TRUCK .

NHTSA ID
808886

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—
1997Viewing861—
1996871—
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.