Most common 1997 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 →
1997 Volvo Wia 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.
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 › Wheel bearing
Vehicle description: class 8 heavy duty trucks. The steer axle wheel bearing jam nut lock washer May not have been bent over the jam nut after the wheel bearings were adjusted.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering axle wheel bearing jam nut lock washer to determine if it is bent over the jam nut, and if not, repair as required.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1997 Volvo Wia:
Frame bending
What 1997 Volvo Wia owners say
Suspension
When driving at any speed, there is vibration within the frame, tire is worn out. Vechicle isn't staying on track, it keeps going into other lanes. Also, frame is bent. The consumer points out that the appeal forum is helpful but there should be a method for consumers to reach the manufacturers easily. Consumer states the problem is proximate to the cross members within the frame rails, they are of insufficient strength to keep the frame rails within acceptable flexibility parameters, this causes a temporary breech in the contact points between the frame and the forward drive axle, this results in the forward drive axle becoming misaligned when closed and causes a thrust problem to the steer axle as the forward drive is now pushing it at an angle to a forward straight line, there is stress on rear suspension assembly, the net result is component breakage, premature wear, and a truck …
Consumer stated while driving, the truck started to pull very hard to the left and consumer had a very difficult time stopping the truck, once the truck was under control, consumer got out and noticed that the right steer tire was worn down to the very outside edge to the thread, on a separate occasion the front end of the truck was vibrating so bad that the consumer had to pull over, consumer stated that in febuary 1998 the rear suspension was rebuilt.
Body & structure
When driving at any speed, there is vibration within the frame, tire is worn out. Vechicle isn't staying on track, it keeps going into other lanes. Also, frame is bent. The consumer points out that the appeal forum is helpful but there should be a method for consumers to reach the manufacturers easily. Consumer states the problem is proximate to the cross members within the frame rails, they are of insufficient strength to keep the frame rails within acceptable flexibility parameters, this causes a temporary breech in the contact points between the frame and the forward drive axle, this results in the forward drive axle becoming misaligned when closed and causes a thrust problem to the steer axle as the forward drive is now pushing it at an angle to a forward straight line, there is stress on rear suspension assembly, the net result is component breakage, premature wear, and a truck …
Consumer states sleeper wall side seams leak water.(Volvo truck 64twia)
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Volvo Wia a good car?
Based on 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Wia rates average: 1.3× 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 1997 Volvo Wia?
The suspension — 5 complaints, 63% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front. Next are the body & structure (3) and transmission & drivetrain (1).
How many recalls does the 1997 Volvo Wia have?
There are 6 recalls for the 1997 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.
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.