Volvo WG complaints by model year
Best WG years: 1995, 1996, 1997. Compare all years →
1996 Volvo WG recalls (6)
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.
Suspension › Front › Springs › Air suspension › Lines and fittings
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install the necessary air pressure protection valve.
Suspension › Front › Hub
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.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the front hubs with an improved design level 2 hub.
Structure › Body
Warning labels identifying the climbing sequence and process were omitted.
Remedy: Volvo heavy truck will be providing warning labels to be installed by owners on their trucks.
Service brakes, air
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.
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…
Steering › Linkages
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicles for a broken king pin and replace the king pins if broken.
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Volvo WG have?
There are 6 recalls for the 1996 Volvo WG, the most recent from September 9, 2002 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volvo WG?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1995, 1996 and 1997. See the full Volvo WG years comparison.
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.