Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 | 2.0× | 5 | Wheel & Tire | Few |
| 1999 | 3 | 1.5× | 8 | Steering | Few |
| 1998 | 2 | 2.0× | 6 | Electrical | Few |
| 1997 | 0 | −33% | 8 | — | Few |
| 1996 | 0 | −33% | 6 | — | Few |
| 1995 | 0 | −33% | 6 | — | Few |
* Complaints compared with the median WG year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Volvo WG problems
Latest Volvo WG recalls
Exterior lighting › Tail lights › Switch
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.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
On some heavy duty class 8 vehicles equipped with arvinmeritor axle assemblies which May have been manufactured with trw model 20edl ball sockets, the tie rod ball-socket bearings have a below specification case depth and/or hardness which can lead to premature wear out of the socket in some applications.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ball socket assemblies. This campaign supersedes NHTSA campaign nos. 01v-139.001 and 02v-037.002. Owner notification began July 25, 2002.
Suspension
Vehicle description: heavy duty 6x4 trucks equipped with chalmers 800 series suspension kits. These suspension kits May have insufficient penetration of the weld attaching the torque rod eye to the torque rod tube.
Remedy: Dealers will replace all chalmers fixed torque rods on these vehicles. Chalmers is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Vehicle description: heavy duty, class 8, trucks equipped with tie rod assemblies containing 24-dl model ball sockets and manufactured by trw. Certain of the tie rod ball-socket bearings have a below-specification case depth and/or hardness, which can lead to premature wear of the socket.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the defective ball sockets and/or drag links. Owner notification began during May 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…
Wheels › Rim
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with accuride 22.5 x 8.25 15 tubeless demountable rims, part no. 32051. Certain rims contain a non-fusion area in the butt-weld of the mounting ring. Under certain circumstances, the defect could develop into a crack on the mounting ring.
Remedy: Accuride will inspect and replace the defective or suspect wheel rims.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Volvo WG should you avoid?
None of the Volvo WG years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.
What is the best year for the Volvo WG?
1995 has the fewest complaints compared with other WG years at the same age, followed by 1996 and 1997. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Volvo WG problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the steering (3), electrical system (2) and brakes (1). Steering complaints peak in the 1999 model year.
How many recalls has the Volvo WG had?
22 recalls across 1995–2000. The model year with the most is 1997. See all Volvo WG recalls by year.
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.