The problem
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.
The risk
This condition can cause erratic steering resulting in loss of steering control increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the vehicles for a broken king pin and replace the king pins if broken.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 96V-038 (96V038000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Volvo Trucks North America |
| Component | Steering › Linkages |
| Report date | February 22, 1996 |
| Owners notified | February 27, 1996 |
| Vehicles affected | 1,303 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Plus 1 other model/year combinations not covered on this site.
Owner complaints about the steering
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 96V-038 repair free?
Yes. Volvo dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for a broken king pin and replace the king pins if broken.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 1,303 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.