1996 Volvo Wia Recalls, Complaints & Specs
7 safety recalls list the 1996 Volvo Wia, and owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
7 safety recalls for the 1996 Volvo Wia
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Switch (exterior lighting)
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.
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…
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Lines and fittings (suspension)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install the necessary air pressure protection valve.
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Hub (suspension)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the front hubs with an improved design level 2 hub.
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Body (structure)
Warning labels identifying the climbing sequence and process were omitted.
Remedy: Volvo heavy truck will be providing warning labels to be installed by owners on their trucks.
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Suspension: rear
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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the drive axle housing nuts with a conventional wheel nut hardware system.
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Service brakes, air
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.
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…
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Linkages (steering)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for a broken king pin and replace the king pins if broken.
8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1996 Volvo Wia have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 200,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 2001 with 2 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 technicia”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 3, 2014 · Steering
“1996 conventional caught on fire. *ts the fire started in the engine compartment. It was unknown if it was electrical. *jb”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 1, 2006 · Engine and engine cooling
Compare Volvo Wia model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Volvo Wia model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 Volvo Wia | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 Volvo Wia | 1 | 1 |
| 1990 Volvo Wia | 2 | 0 |
| 1991 Volvo Wia | 2 | 0 |
| 1992 Volvo Wia | 2 | 0 |
| 1993 Volvo Wia | 2 | 3 |
| 1994 Volvo Wia | 3 | 0 |
| 1995 Volvo Wia | 4 | 7 |
| 1996 Volvo Wia | 7 | 8 |
| 1997 Volvo Wia | 6 | 8 |
| 1998 Volvo Wia | 4 | 1 |
| 1999 Volvo Wia | 1 | 1 |
| 2000 Volvo Wia | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 Volvo Wia | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 Volvo Wia | 1 | 0 |
Checking a specific 1996 Volvo Wia
How do I know if my 1996 Volvo Wia has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 7 campaigns currently list the 1996 Volvo Wia; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Volvo dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 02V238000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Volvo models
- XC901,528 complaints
- S601,266 complaints
- S80954 complaints
- V70933 complaints
- XC60651 complaints
- S70593 complaints
- 850569 complaints
- S40491 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.