2021 Volvo Bus 9700 problems, complaints & recalls

Defect: Volvo Bus Corporation (Volvo Bus) is recalling certain 2009-2025 Volvo 9700 buses. The emergency exit label on the entrance door is missing the exit operating instructions. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 217, "Bus Emergency Exits and Window Retention and Release."

Risk: The missing information may prevent or delay the use of the emergency exit, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Prevost will replace the emergency exit identification labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 3, 2026. Owners may contact Prevost's customer service at 1-866-870-2046. Prevost's number for this recall is SR26-84. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 25, 2026.

Defect: Volvo Bus Corporation (Volvo Bus) is recalling certain 2013-2021 9700 buses. The red beacon lighting on the Threshold Warning System (TWS) may not be bright enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 403, "Platform Lift Systems."

Risk: Beacons that do not provide proper illumination may be less visible to wheelchair lift users, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Prevost will replace the red beacons, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Bus customer service at 1-866-870-2043. Volvo Bus number for this recall is SR24-81.

Defect: Volvo Bus Corporation (Volvo Bus) is recalling certain 2008-2021 9700 vehicles. The headlights may not have the correct amount of light output, and either be too bright, or too dim. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Excessively bright or dim headlights may reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace of the headlight assembly or the bulbs, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed September 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Bus' customer service at 1-866-870-2046.

Defect: Volvo Bus Corporation (Volvo Bus) is recalling certain 2009-2021 Volvo 9700 vehicles equipped with wheelchair lifts. When the lift's outer barrier is fully deployed, it may not withstand a sufficient amount of force, which could cause it to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 403, "Platform Lift Systems" and 404, "Platform Lift Installations."

Risk: In the event that a mobility device pushes into the outer barrier, the barrier may fail, increasing the risk of injury for the lift occupant.

Fix: Volvo Bus will reinforce the outer barrier with additional supports, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on September 28, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 18, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Bus customer service at 1-866-870-2046.