1997 Volvo WIA Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other WIA years
- Not enough data 1st of 8 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Volvo WIA. That is the most of any WIA model year in the database (8 years). The most reported problem area is suspension (5 complaints, 63%). There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 8owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 Volvo WIA problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 5 | 63% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 38% | — | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 13% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 13% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 13% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1997 Volvo WIA recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Exterior lighting:tail lights:switch
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.
Parking brake
Problem: 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. 121, "air brake systems." a loss of the isolation of the two brake system circuits can result in the loss of service brakes when there is another failure of one of the two brake circuits.
Risk: The loss of service brakes can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the suspect valves.
Suspension:front:springs:air suspension:lines and fittings
Problem: 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.
Risk: This condition would result in increased stopping distances.
Fix: Dealers will install the necessary air pressure protection valve.
Wheels:rim
Problem: 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.
Risk: This condition can cause failure of these wheels.
Fix: Accuride/akw will replace these wheels.
Suspension:front:wheel bearing
Problem: 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.
Risk: If this condition exists, the jam nut and wheel bearing adjusting nut can back off the spindle allowing the wheel and the brake drum assembly to separate from the vehicle increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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
Problem: Warning labels identifying the climbing sequence and process were omitted.
Risk: Persons not using the sequence and process during cab entry or exit or when using the optional back of cab access may slip and/or fall causing personal injury.
Fix: Volvo heavy truck will be providing warning labels to be installed by owners on their trucks.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Frame bending (DP01004) — opened Sep 26, 2001, closed Mar 18, 2002.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Vehicle experienced premature steer tire wear.*ak *jb
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…
Consumer complains of replacing his 6th set of steer tires. *jg
There is constant shaking in front end of vehicle and in steering wheel, at any speed. Dealer has replaced tires and aligned vehicle. Did not remedy the problem. Nlm consumer adds that the vehicle is still shaking violently. *tt
Transmission jumps out of gear under a load ,this transmission was rebuilt nov 2000 for this problum. It started again in nov.2001. Other owners of this type transmission tell me they have the same problum. There is nothing as dangerous as a truck gearing down on a hill , and having the…
Other Volvo WIA years
See all Volvo WIA problems by year, every Volvo model, or the Volvo VIN decoder.
Similar Volvo models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Volvo WIA?
Owners most often report suspension, structure, electrical system problems. The top one, suspension, accounts for 5 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Volvo WIA?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1997 Volvo WIA a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other WIA model years, the 1997 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.