2004 Volvo VHD

3 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

1. Filed Sep 20, 2005Failure Sep 13, 200575,100 milesPlymouth, MALugs/nuts/bolts/studs

   1. A TRI AXLE TRUCK OWNED BY DAHN TIBBETT AND MANUFACTURED BY VOLVO MODEL VHD-84F WAS INVOLVED IN THREE SEPARATE FAILURES OF THE WHEEL STUDS WHICH ARE PART OF THE REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY. THE REFERENCED TRUCK WAS USED ON PAVED ROADWAY HAULING OF SAND, LOAM AND AGGREGATE MATERIAL. ALL HAULING WAS DONE WITH LEGAL LOADS THAT WERE WEIGHED ON REGISTERED SCALES. 2. THE THREE FAILURES ARE DESCRIBED IN SEQUENCE. A. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE PAVED ROAD AND THE STUDS FAILED. THE OWNER DAHN TIBBETT REPLACED THE WHEEL HUB, TWO RIMS AND WHEEL SEAL. THE STUDS THAT FAILED WERE ON THE LEFT REAR HUB. B. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY WITH A LOAD AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRES BECAME DETACHED FROM THE TRUCK AT A SPEED OF 55 MPH. THE TWO TIRES WERE RECOVERED AND IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE LUGS WERE STILL TIGHTENED AND THE LUGS HAD SHEARED FROM THE HUB. C. THE SUBJECT VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON A SECONDARY PAVED ROAD WITH A LOAD AT A SPEED OF 30 MPH AND SEVEN STUDS SHEARED FROM THE HUB. THE LEFT REAR HUB ASSEMBLY WAS INVOLVED IN THIS EPISODE. PART NUMBER OF HUB IS VOLVO PART # 20478408 RIGHT REAR VOLVO PART # 20478407 LEFT REAR 3. THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES WERE DONE TO CORRECT THE LUG FAILURE. A. THE OLD LUGS WAS REPLACE ALSO 2 RIMS, OIL SEAL B. THE OLD LUGS WERE REPLACED, REPLACED HUB 2 RIMS 2 TIRES, SHOCK AND OIL SEAL C. THE OLD LUGS WERE REMOVED AND REPLACED. THE DEALER IS O'CONNELL BASED IN MAINE. VOLVO WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT INCIDENT #1. VOLVO WAS CONTACTED ABOUT INCIDENT #2 AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF VOLVO COMPENSATED DAHN TIBBETT FOR THE COST OF PARTS ONLY, ADMITTING NO STRUCTURAL FAILURE OCCURED.VOLVE WAS INFORMED OF INCIDENT #3 AND VOLVO HAS SAID THAT THEY HAVE NO LIABILITY IN THIS INCIDENT. *JB

   NHTSA complaint 10137044
2. Filed Jan 28, 2005Failure May 17, 20043,612 milesSAN Francisco, CAEngine and engine cooling

   ON MAY 9TH, WE PURCHASED A NEW VOLVO V 40 STATION WAGON FROM PUTNAM VOLVO IN BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA. ON MAY 17 2004 THIS BRAND NEW CAR STALLED DEAD WHILE MOVING FORWARD IN TRAFFIC, A WEEK AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY BLEW US OFF AND SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS PROBABLY "BAD GAS." A FEW WEEKS LATER IN JULY 2004 ITT STALLED DEAD AGAIN WHILE MAKING A TURN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION (MILEAGE 3,612). WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! WE TOOK IT IMMEDIATELY INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND SAID IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. TWO WEEKS WENT BY AND THE PUTNAM VOLVO DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED IT SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC IN SERVICE LET IT SLIP THAT THEY HAD SEEN 4 OTHER VOLVOS WITH THIS PROBLEM. WE THINK THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS, LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM AND WONDER IF SOMEONE HAS TO DIE BEFORE THIS IS MADE PUBLIC AND CORRECTED. WE HAVE LOST FAITH IN THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR WHICH IS THE SOLE REASON WE PURCHASED A VOLVO. VOLVO FINALLY DEMANDED THAT WE PICK UP THE CAR EVEN THOUGH THEY NEVER COULD REPLICATE THE PROBLEM NOR WOULD THEY GUARNATEE THAT IT WAS FIXED. I HAVE TO COMMUTE ON HIGHWAY 5 AND OBVIOUSLY THIS KIND OF PROBLEM WOULD BE DEADLY IF IT STALLED DEAD ON ME IN THIS SITUATION. IN THE PAST WE HAVE BOUGHT HONDAS BECAUSE OF THEIR MECHANICAL RELIABILITY BUT THE NEWS MEDIA HAS LEAD US TO BELIEVE THAT VOLVOS WERE THE SAFEST CAR.*AK

   NHTSA complaint 10108192
3. Filed Dec 10, 2004Failure Dec 8, 2004Fresno, CAStructure, Exterior

   WINTER WEATHER, RAIN, SNOW ON HIGHWAY. *AK

   NHTSA complaint 10102500