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.
Safety risk
IT MAY NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER OF A REARWARD APPROACHING VEHICLE TO HAVE FULL VIEW OF THE LAMPS.
Manufacturer 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. 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.
Suspension: front: springs: air suspension: lines and fittings
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC
Vehicles affected
95,013
Reported to NHTSA
1998-10-14
Owners notified
1998-11-27
Defect description
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.
Safety risk
THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NECESSARY AIR PRESSURE PROTECTION VALVE.
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.
Safety risk
THIS CONDITION WOULD KEEP THE REAR AXLE SERVICE BRAKES APPLIED WITHOUT ANY BRAKE PEDAL MOVEMENT BY THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Manufacturer 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 CONTAMINATION.
THE REAR SUSPENSION AXLE RETENTION PLATE CAN BREAK UNDER NORMAL USE, AFFECTING AXLE ALIGNMENT.
Safety risk
THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF REAR AXLE STABILITY AFFECTING VEHICLE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE AXLE RETENTION CLIP PLATES ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Suspension
5
—
Power train: manual transmission
4
—
Power train: clutch assembly
3
—
Electrical system
2
—
Electrical system: wiring
2
—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner
2
—
Unknown or other
2
—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
1
—
Exterior lighting
1
—
Steering
1
—
Steering: linkages
1
—
Structure: body: bumpers
1
—
Suspension: front
1
—
Visibility: windshield
1
—
The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.