The 1996 Volvo Wia has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 104,628 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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
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…
SUSPENSION98V2550001998-10-1495,013 affected
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.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NECESSARY AIR PRESSURE PROTECTION VALVE.
SUSPENSION97V1960041997-12-3139 affected
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.
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.
STRUCTURE97V0230001997-02-241,928 affected
Defect
WARNING LABELS IDENTIFYING THE CLIMBING SEQUENCE AND PROCESS WERE OMITTED.
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.
SUSPENSION96V2330041996-12-0242 affected
Defect
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…
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR96V0950001996-03-23771 affected
Defect
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
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.
STEERING96V0380001996-02-221,303 affected
Defect
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
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.
Complaints by component
SUSPENSION
5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
2
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
2
STEERING
2
1injuries
STRUCTURE
2
AIR BAGS
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1
Total complaints35
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“1996 conventional caught on fire. *ts the fire started in the engine compartment. It was unknown if it was electrical. *jb”
“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…”
“Consumer stated the exhaust clamps and muffler were replaced due to leaking.*jb”
“Consumer stated the motor was leaking oil due to the timing gear having two bolt eylets that had broken off, the bolts were screwed into the block with the washers to raise the heads up to the height of cover, also the water pump engine sensor, thermostat and 0-rings were replaced.*jb”
“Consumer stated the steering would not tilt.*jb”
“Consumer stated the air conditioner was leaking.*jb”
“Front axle suspension system problems causing excessive uneven tire wear and deterioration of other components (bushings, strut arm bolts stretching). Mjs”
“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…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE99018 Opened 1999-03-03 · closed 1999-09-14
TRUCK ROLLOVER CRASHES
ODI HAS RECEIVED A FLEET REPORT WHICH ALLEGES THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM ON THE SUBJECT TRACTORS CONTRIBUTES TO A LOW SPEED ROLLOVER
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Volvo Wia as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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