Most common 1996 Volvo Wia problems
Share of the 8 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo Wia complaints by model year
Best Wia years: 1998. Compare all years →
1996 Volvo Wia recalls (7)
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.
Suspension › Rear
Vehicle description: class 8 heavy duty vehicles equipped with eaton drive axles and axilok spindle nuts. The drive axle housings consist of a plate steel center section and two forged spindles, one of which is welded to each end of the center section.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the drive axle housing nuts with a conventional wheel nut hardware system.
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…
Show 1 more recall
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1996 Volvo Wia:
Truck 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
What 1996 Volvo Wia owners say
Suspension
Transmission problems. Also, fifth wheel assembly needed adjustment/ hood was cracked/ there was a missing bolt in crossmember/ there was a leak under the dash/thermostat was replaced/air whistle noise in engine/pulley assembly needed replacement/cool filter replaced/ brake belt replaced/ left front brake was sticking/new brake shoes were needed/ alternator and starter solenoid replaced/ speed control inoperable due to faulty wire,/harness to crank sensor rubbed, causing inactive engine code and wiring harness was shorting out. In addition, 4 batteries have been replaced/ exhaust problems/ flex pipe replaced/ broken injector wire caused loss of power. Rough idle caused by faulty injector. Turbo line was damaged. Air leaked at transmission, slave cylinder removed and cleaned, clutch whistled and stuck/ loose gearshift, transmission jumpsout of fifth gear, and had be held at all times. …
Consumer states that the wheel bearing in the left side of the front axle has always run much hotter than the other side, secondly, consumer only gets 60,000 to 80,000 miles out of a pair of steer tires which could possibly be a result of premature steer tire wear, there is a problem with the truck pulling hard to the right, front end has been checked, king pin leans to right.
Electrical system
Transmission problems. Also, fifth wheel assembly needed adjustment/ hood was cracked/ there was a missing bolt in crossmember/ there was a leak under the dash/thermostat was replaced/air whistle noise in engine/pulley assembly needed replacement/cool filter replaced/ brake belt replaced/ left front brake was sticking/new brake shoes were needed/ alternator and starter solenoid replaced/ speed control inoperable due to faulty wire,/harness to crank sensor rubbed, causing inactive engine code and wiring harness was shorting out. In addition, 4 batteries have been replaced/ exhaust problems/ flex pipe replaced/ broken injector wire caused loss of power. Rough idle caused by faulty injector. Turbo line was damaged. Air leaked at transmission, slave cylinder removed and cleaned, clutch whistled and stuck/ loose gearshift, transmission jumpsout of fifth gear, and had be held at all times. …
Noticed noise, upon turning the cab shifted. Then checked the problem out and noticed. The vehicle was looked at by a Volvo dealer, and the consumer found out that problem occurred because the weld broke on the elbow which holds the cab to the frame. In addition, replaced alternator/adjusted rear air bags.
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Volvo Wia. The contact stated while driving various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the steering failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 200,000 and the current mileage was 650,000. Updated 3/24/15 the consumer stated the vehicle experienced a collapsed spindle bearing. The driver suffered from a sore shoulder and muscle strains in 2005. Updated 6/22/2015
Transmission problems. Also, fifth wheel assembly needed adjustment/ hood was cracked/ there was a missing bolt in crossmember/ there was a leak under the dash/thermostat was replaced/air whistle noise in engine/pulley assembly needed replacement/cool filter replaced/ brake belt replaced/ left front brake was sticking/new brake shoes were needed/ alternator and starter solenoid replaced/ speed control inoperable due to faulty wire,/harness to crank sensor rubbed, causing inactive engine code and wiring harness was shorting out. In addition, 4 batteries have been replaced/ exhaust problems/ flex pipe replaced/ broken injector wire caused loss of power. Rough idle caused by faulty injector. Turbo line was damaged. Air leaked at transmission, slave cylinder removed and cleaned, clutch whistled and stuck/ loose gearshift, transmission jumpsout of fifth gear, and had be held at all times. …
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Volvo Wia a good car?
Based on 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Wia rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Wia at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Volvo Wia?
The suspension — 5 complaints, 63% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (4) and steering (4).
How many recalls does the 1996 Volvo Wia have?
There are 7 recalls for the 1996 Volvo Wia, 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 Wia?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1998. See the full Volvo Wia years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Volvo Wia problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 200,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.