1999 Volvo WG Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Problem: 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.

Risk: It may not allow the driver of a rearward approaching vehicle to have full view of the lamps.

Fix: Dealers will attach the two tail lamps, back-up lamp, and the license tap lamp on stiffer brackets. Owner notification began october 31, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If this condition occurs, the driver can lose steering control, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If this condition occurs, the driver can lose partial control of the right front wheel, possibly resulting in a crash.

Fix: 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 free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.

Problem: Vehicle description: 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.

Risk: If this condition occurs, the driver can lose steering control, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the ball socket assemblies. The campaign has been superceded by recall no. 02v037002. Owner notification began november 17, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.

Problem: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with trw 20-edl ball-socket assemblies. Certain of the ball-socket bearings have a below specification case depth and/or hardness which can lead to premature wear out of the socket. These bearings were produced between july 5 and october 3, 1999.

Risk: If this condition occurs, the driver can lose partial control of the right front wheel, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the ball-socket assemblies.

Problem: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks built with bendix air abs with an ec-17 1030r electronic control unit (ecu), there have been reports of unwanted abs activation at low speeds caused by 1) chafed abs wheel speed sensor wires on rotating parts or 2) a damaged component at the wheel end that generates a certain type of erratic sensor signal.

Risk: This condition could cause the abs ecu to exhaust the air at the air brake modulators for one or more of the wheels. This could result in extended braking distances and a possible crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the abs ecu.

Problem: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with a steel fuel tank. The closure only fuel tank cap, installed on the steel fuel tank, failed when the tank was dropped from a 10' height as required by fmvss no. 393, "liquid fuel tanks."

Risk: Fuel leakage could occur, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Owners will be provided with a new fuel tank cap.

Problem: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with meritor air brake automatic slack adjusters. Some of the automatic slack adjusters had insufficient torque applied to the guide pawl cap screw.

Risk: Without sufficient torque on the guide pawl cap screw, the brakes could gradually lose adjustment, increasing the vehicle stopping distance.

Fix: Dealers will check the torque on the automatic slack adjuster guide pawl. If there is no torque, the brakes will be adjusted and the guide pawl will be tightened to 15-20 ft. Lbs.