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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2002

Volvo WIA recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns and 25 owner complaints for the Volvo WIA, covering model years 1995 to 2002. The 1996 and 1997 model years drew the most complaints (8 each), and Suspension is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Volvo WIA VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 11 recall campaigns on file
  • 25 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 8 model years with data (1995–2002)
  • most complaints: 1996, 1997 (8 for that model year)
  • top component: Suspension (18 complaints)
  • latest recall 02V238000 (reported Sep 9, 2002)
  • 0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a fire (4.0%)
  • 1 complaint reporting an injury (4.0%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Volvo WIA complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1996 and 1997 model years share the highest count, 8 complaints each. Next come 1995 (7) and 1998 (1). The fewest are for 1999, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Volvo WIA owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–1999Column chart of 25 complaints across 5 model years. The highest are 1996, 1997 with 8 each. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 7 complaints719951996: 8 complaints819961997: 8 complaints819971998: 1 complaint119981999: 1 complaint11999
Volvo WIA complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Volvo WIA complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
199570000
199680110
199780000
199810000
199910000
All model years250110

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Volvo WIA components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Suspension is the component named most often, in 18 complaints (72.0% of all 25), followed by Electrical System (9) and Engine and Engine Cooling (6).

Components named most often in Volvo WIA complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Volvo WIA complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Suspension1872.0%
Electrical System936.0%
Engine and Engine Cooling624.0%
Power Train624.0%
Steering624.0%
Structure624.0%
Equipment312.0%
Service Brakes, Air312.0%
Unknown or Other312.0%
Visibility312.0%
Exterior Lighting28.0%
Air Bags14.0%
Fuel System, Gasoline14.0%
Latches/Locks/Linkages14.0%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic14.0%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Volvo WIA recalls

11 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name WIA, newest first. The 11 campaigns cover model years 1995 to 2002. The 1996 model year appears in the most campaigns (7).

  • 11 recall campaigns
Volvo WIA recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
1995: 4 campaigns1996: 7 campaigns1997: 6 campaigns1998: 4 campaigns1999: 1 campaign
2000: 1 campaign2001: 1 campaign2002: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 02V238000

    Reported

    Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights › Switch

    Model years 1995–2002

    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:
    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.

    Filed by Volvo Trucks North America

  2. NHTSA campaign 00V002002

    Reported

    Parking Brake

    Model years 1997–1998

    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.

    Consequence:
    The loss of service brakes can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the suspect valves.

    Filed by Volvo Trucks North America

  3. NHTSA campaign 98V255000

    Reported

    Suspension › Front › Springs › Air Suspension › Lines and Fittings

    Model years 1995–1998

    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:
    This condition would result in increased stopping distances.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install the necessary air pressure protection valve.

    Filed by Volvo Trucks North America

  4. NHTSA campaign 98V120001

    Reported

    Wheels › Rim

    Model years 1997–1998

    Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with aftermarket aluminum dual wheels, 22.5X8.25, one-piece, tubeless, supplied by accuride/akw. Certain design revisions combined with process conditions caused fatigue cracks in these wheels.

    Consequence:
    This condition can cause failure of these wheels.
    Remedy:
    Accuride/akw will replace these wheels.

    Filed by Volvo Trucks North America

  5. NHTSA campaign 97V196004

    Reported

    Suspension › Front › Hub

    Model year 1996

    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.

    Filed by Volvo Trucks North America

  6. NHTSA campaign 97V212000

    Reported

    Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing

    Model year 1997

    Vehicle description: class 8 heavy duty trucks. The steer axle wheel bearing jam nut lock washer may not have been bent over the jam nut after the wheel bearings were adjusted.

    Consequence:
    If this condition exists, the jam nut and wheel bearing adjusting nut can back off the spindle allowing the wheel and the brake drum assembly to separate from the vehicle increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the steering axle wheel bearing jam nut lock washer to determine if it is bent over the jam nut, and if not, repair as required.

    Filed by Volvo Trucks North America

  7. NHTSA campaign 97V023000

    Reported

    Structure › Body

    Model years 1996–1997

    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.

    Filed by Volvo Trucks North America

  8. NHTSA campaign 96V233004

    Reported

    Suspension › Rear

    Model year 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:
    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.

    Filed by Volvo Trucks North America

  9. NHTSA campaign 96V095000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Air

    Model years 1995–1996

    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:
    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.

    Filed by Volvo Trucks North America

  10. NHTSA campaign 96V038000

    Reported

    Steering › Linkages

    Model year 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:
    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.

    Filed by Volvo Trucks North America

Show 1 more recall

  1. NHTSA campaign 96V032000

    Reported

    Suspension › Rear › Springs › Air Suspension System

    Model year 1995

    The rear suspension axle retention plate can break under normal use, affecting axle alignment.

    Consequence:
    This condition could result in loss of rear axle stability affecting vehicle directional control and increasing the potential for a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will remove and replace the axle retention clip plates on affected vehicles.

    Filed by Volvo Trucks North America

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Volvo WIA questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Volvo WIA have?

NHTSA lists 11 vehicle recall campaigns for the Volvo WIA, covering model years 1995 to 2002. The most recent, 02V238000, was reported on September 9, 2002 and is filed under “Exterior lighting”. The 1996 model year is covered by the most campaigns (7).

Which Volvo WIA model year has the most complaints?

The 1996 and 1997 model years tie, with 8 complaints each out of 25. The next are 1995 (7) and 1998 (1). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Volvo WIA complaint?

Suspension is the component named most often: 18 complaints, or 72.0% of all 25. Electrical System (9) and Engine and Engine Cooling (6) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Volvo WIA?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Volvo dealer.

How many Volvo WIA complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 25 complaints, 0 report a crash, 1 a fire, 1 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Volvo models

8 models · most complaints first

The Volvo models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Volvo VIN decoder with every Volvo model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Volvo XC90 2003–2025 · 35 recalls · 1,521 complaints
  • Volvo S60 2000–2025 · 40 recalls · 1,264 complaints
  • Volvo S80 1999–2016 · 27 recalls · 954 complaints
  • Volvo V70 1996–2016 · 22 recalls · 933 complaints
  • Volvo XC60 2009–2025 · 36 recalls · 647 complaints
  • Volvo S70 1995–2002 · 6 recalls · 593 complaints
  • Volvo S40 2000–2011 · 12 recalls · 491 complaints
  • Volvo XC70 2001–2016 · 19 recalls · 417 complaints

All Volvo models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.