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
The worst 1996 Volvo Wia problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Suspension5
- Electrical4
- Steering4
- Engine3
- Body2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Suspension5
- Electrical4
- Steering4
- Engine3
- Body2
- Brakes2
- Transmission2
- Airbags1
- Fuel system1
- Lights1
- Locks1
- Visibility1
Recalls 7
Exterior lighting: tail lights: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 02V238000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension: lines and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This condition would result in increased stopping distances.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install the necessary air pressure protection valve.
Recall number 98V255000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: hub
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 97V196004 · Recall details
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- Warning labels identifying the climbing sequence and process were omitted.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 97V023000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 96V233004 · Recall details
Service brakes, air
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 96V095000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 96V038000 · Recall details
See all 7 recalls for the 1996 Volvo Wia
Defect investigations
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
PE99018
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Volvo Wia 27
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Warranty Automated Manual Transmission ( AMT, I-Shift, mDrive ) Control Housing Assembly; Guidelines For...
- (Back Office)
- DTC U012100
- Programming Failure
- AMT Control Housing Bench Testing
- Volvo Chassis
- Volvo Chassis
- Unable To Retrieve "On Request" Messages For PeopleNet Or Omnitracs Modules Installed On The DL5 Data...
- Temperature Sensor Troubleshooting Guide
- DEF Pump Troubleshooting Guide
What 1996 Volvo Wia owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
1996 conventional caught on fire. *ts the fire started in the engine compartment. It was unknown if it was electrical.
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.
Consumer complains of problems with the air conditioner being out.
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 ...
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.
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 air bags.
Compare the 1996 Volvo Wia
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Questions about the 1996 Volvo Wia
Is the 1996 Volvo Wia reliable?
Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 1996 Volvo Wia, close to a typical Wia model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Volvo Wia?
Suspension, with 5 complaints. Next is electrical (4).
How many recalls does the 1996 Volvo Wia have?
7 recalls, covering exterior lighting, suspension and structure.
Was there a recall on the 1996 Volvo Wia suspension?
Yes, 3 recalls: 98V255000, 97V196004, 96V233004. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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