Steering Gear Link Rod May Loosen and Detach

Affected vehicles (1)

Component / system

Defect

Volvo Bus Corporation (Volvo Bus) is recalling certain 2024 Volvo 9700 vehicles. The castellated nut securing the steering gear link rod to the steering arm may be loose and allow the link rod to detach.

Risk / consequence

A detached link rod can cause a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repair has been performed. Prevost will inspect and tighten the castellated nuts and install new cotter pins as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Bus customer service at 1-866-870-2046. Volvo Bus' number for this recall is SR24-82.

Chronology of events

1. Jan 30, 2024

   2024-01-30 One field report was received by Volvo Group Mexico. The field report indicated that a Volvo 9800 vehicle operating in Mexico (Substantially Similar Vehicle to Volvo 9700 sold in U.S.) experienced a sudden loss of steering control that led to a vehicle collision with a roadside barrier (one reported accident).

2. Jan 30, 2024

   2024-01-30 Internal Volvo investigation was opened to identify the root cause and to determine if the issue is safety related.

3. Jan 31, 2024

   2024-01-31 Delivery Stop was issued at the Mexico manufacturing facility to stop the delivery of vehicles until the investigation is completed and corrective actions are implemented.

4. Jan 31, 2024

   2024-01-31 Internal campaign was launched to solve the issue on all vehicles in production before being delivered.

5. Feb 2, 2024

   2024-02-02 Case was presented on Volvo Product Safety Evaluation Committee (PSEC) to evaluate if there is a potential safety-related issue. Decision made to raise the potential safety issue to Volvo Product Safety Committee (PSC) for review and determination.

6. Feb 2, 2024

   2024-02-02 Case was presented to Volvo Product Safety Committee (PSC). It was concluded that there was a safety-related issue and that a recall is needed.

7. Feb 2, 2024

   2024-02-02 Delivery Stop was issued by Prevost to stop the delivery of vehicles until they are remedied.

8. Feb 5, 2024

   2024-02-05 Case was presented to Volvo PSC. It was concluded a “Do Not Drive Warning” is needed for this issue.

9. Feb 8, 2024

   2024-02-08 Defect Information Report submitted to authorities. No warranty claims related to this issue. No injuries or fatalities related to this issue were reported.

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

MAR 28, 2024 - MAR 28, 2024

Owner notification

MAR 28, 2024 - MAR 28, 2024

Documents (6)