Volvo WIA Problems by Year
NHTSA has 25 owner complaints and 11 safety recalls on file for the Volvo WIA, across 8 model years (1995–2002). The 1997 model year has the most complaints (8). The most reported problem area overall is suspension.
Volvo WIA years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No WIA model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Volvo WIA problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 18 | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Power Train | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Volvo WIA model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 WIA | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2001 WIA | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2000 WIA | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1999 WIA | 1 | 1 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1998 WIA | 1 | 4 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1997 WIA | 8 | 6 | — | Suspension | |
| 1996 WIA | 8 | 7 | — | Suspension | |
| 1995 WIA | 7 | 4 | — | Suspension |
More from Volvo: all Volvo models · Volvo VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo WIA years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 1997 (8), 1996 (8), 1995 (7). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Volvo WIA?
Suspension, with 18 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the Volvo WIA have?
11 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.