Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Suspension › Front › Springs › Air suspension › Lines and fittings
NHTSA recall 98V255000 · Oct 14, 1998 · 95,013 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NECESSARY AIR PRESSURE PROTECTION VALVE.
Service brakes, air
NHTSA recall 96V095000 · Mar 23, 1996 · 771 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Air suspension system
NHTSA recall 96V032000 · Feb 12, 1996 · 6,034 vehicles
Problem: THE REAR SUSPENSION AXLE RETENTION PLATE CAN BREAK UNDER NORMAL USE, AFFECTING AXLE ALIGNMENT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF REAR AXLE STABILITY AFFECTING VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE AXLE RETENTION CLIP PLATES ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Manual transmission; Clutch assembly
7
0
0
0
—
Suspension Front
6
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Wiring; Wiring › Interior/under dash
5
0
0
0
—
Steering Linkages
2
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
2
0
0
0
—
Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner
2
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine › Diesel
2
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting
1
0
0
0
—
Visibility Windshield
1
0
0
0
—
Structure Body › Bumpers
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Feb 11, 2003Suspension THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE TIRE WEAR.*AK *JB
Jun 17, 2002Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASH. CONSUMER IS ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING AND ALTERNATOR. *JG (MODEL WIA6)
May 30, 2002Unknown or other CONSUMER STATES TRUCK IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE DASH.*JB
Apr 22, 2002Suspension VEHICLE IS SHOWING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEER AXLE TIRES WEARING PREMATURELY REQUIRING ANNUAL REPLACEMENT, THERE IS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, THE U-JOINTS ARE WEARING OUT, THERE ARE NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT END (REPAIRED, SOURCE UNKNOWN),ALSO FRONT AXLE IS TOO HEAVY, CONSUMER MUST REGULATE BY MOVING THE 5TH WHEEL AND LOWERING THE FUEL. *JG
Sep 24, 2001Steering › Linkages THE DRAG LINK AND TIEROD END HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 172000 MILES.*JB
Jun 1, 1997Suspension CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING IS SLOPPY AND CHUNKS WHEN TURNING, THE VEHICLE IS GREASED EVERY WEEK AND THE U-BOLTS ARE CHECKED, A 3 AXLE ALIGNMENT WAS JUST COMPLETED, THERE IS LOTS OF VIBRATION IN THE CAB. *SLC
Aug 15, 2001Electrical system › Wiring CONSUMER STATED THE TRUCK WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS. *JB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
DP01005 · opened Aug 9, 2001 · closed Oct 3, 2001MULTIPLE DEFECTS ALLEGE THAT THE WIA MODEL INSTRUMENT PANEL AND BLOWER FAN MALFUNCTION AND THE 770 VNL STEERING DIFFICULTIES AND INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTION
PE99018 · opened Mar 3, 1999 · closed Sep 14, 1999TRUCK 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