Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1 | −67% | 4 | Transmission | Average |
| 1997 | 8 | 1.3× | 6 | Suspension | Average |
| 1996 | 8 | typical | 7 | Suspension | Average |
| 1995 | 7 | typical | 4 | Suspension | Average |
* Complaints compared with the median Wia year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Volvo Wia problems
Latest Volvo Wia 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.
Parking brake
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with haldex manifold dash valves (mdv) used in tractor and trailer parking brakes. These valves do not meet the requirements of FMVSS no.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the suspect valves.
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.
Wheels › Rim
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with aftermarket aluminum dual wheels, 22.5x8.25, one-piece, tubeless, supplied by accuride/akw. Certain design revisions combined with process conditions caused fatigue cracks in these wheels.
Remedy: Accuride/akw will replace these wheels.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Volvo Wia should you avoid?
None of the Volvo Wia years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.
What is the best year for the Volvo Wia?
1998 has the fewest complaints compared with other Wia years at the same age. 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 Wia problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the suspension (17), electrical system (8) and steering (6). Suspension complaints peak in the 1995 model year.
How many recalls has the Volvo Wia had?
11 recalls across 1995–1998. The model year with the most is 1996. See all Volvo Wia 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.