Recall 16V836 covers 583 2008-2017 Volvo Bus 9700 buses for an undersized relay that can stall the engine. Free repair at Volvo Bus dealers.
Volvo Bus is recalling 583 2008-2017 9700 buses because an undersized power feed relay for the engine and transmission can fail and stall the engine. An unexpected engine shutdown increases crash risk, and Volvo Bus dealers will replace the relay free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The power feed relay on 2008-2017 Volvo Bus 9700 buses is an electrical switch that supplies power to the engine and automatic transmission systems. When the relay is sized correctly, it carries the expected electrical load and keeps those systems powered while the bus is running. The engine and transmission depend on that steady power feed to keep operating.
On affected buses, the relay is undersized for the application. It is asked to carry a load beyond what it was built to handle, so the relay can fail during operation. When that happens, the power feed to the engine and transmission is interrupted, and the engine stalls.
There is no warning sign before failure. A driver is not expected to see a warning light, hear a warning sound, or feel a gradual change before the relay stops working.
Who's affected?
Across the 2008-2017 span, the recall is tied to wiring, automatic transmission, and diesel engine component categories.
| 2017 Volvo Bus 9700 | wiring |
|---|---|
| 2017 Volvo Bus 9700 | automatic transmission |
| 2017 Volvo Bus 9700 | Diesel |
| 2011 Volvo Bus 9700 | wiring |
| 2011 Volvo Bus 9700 | automatic transmission |
| 2011 Volvo Bus 9700 | Diesel |
| 2015 Volvo Bus 9700 | wiring |
| 2015 Volvo Bus 9700 | automatic transmission |
| 2015 Volvo Bus 9700 | Diesel |
| 2009 Volvo Bus 9700 | wiring |
| 2009 Volvo Bus 9700 | automatic transmission |
| 2009 Volvo Bus 9700 | Diesel |
| 2008 Volvo Bus 9700 | wiring |
| 2008 Volvo Bus 9700 | automatic transmission |
| 2008 Volvo Bus 9700 | Diesel |
| 2013 Volvo Bus 9700 | wiring |
| 2013 Volvo Bus 9700 | automatic transmission |
| 2013 Volvo Bus 9700 | Diesel |
| 2014 Volvo Bus 9700 | wiring |
| 2014 Volvo Bus 9700 | automatic transmission |
| 2014 Volvo Bus 9700 | Diesel |
| 2016 Volvo Bus 9700 | wiring |
| 2016 Volvo Bus 9700 | automatic transmission |
| 2016 Volvo Bus 9700 | Diesel |
| 2012 Volvo Bus 9700 | wiring |
| 2012 Volvo Bus 9700 | automatic transmission |
| 2012 Volvo Bus 9700 | Diesel |
| 2010 Volvo Bus 9700 | wiring |
| 2010 Volvo Bus 9700 | automatic transmission |
| 2010 Volvo Bus 9700 | Diesel |
| Units affected | 583 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
An unexpected engine shutdown can leave the bus without power in traffic and increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the recall repair soon and treat any sudden shutdown as a reason to stop in a safe place and call for service. Repair is free at any franchised Volvo Bus dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2017 Volvo Bus 9700 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volvo Bus dealer to schedule the free power feed relay replacement that fixes the undersized relay linked to engine stalling.
- Bring the recall notice if Volvo Bus mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V836 when you call.
- Drive with extra space around the bus until the relay is replaced, and pull over safely if the engine stalls.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volvo Bus technician replaces the undersized engine and transmission power feed relay with a larger relay. The replacement parts and labor are free under recall 16V836. If you paid out of pocket for a related relay repair before the owner notice, the Volvo Bus standard reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring repair invoices and payment records to the service desk, or contact Volvo Bus customer service to ask how to submit them.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 18, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 20, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| January 16, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 16, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V836?
Recall 16V836 covers 583 2008-2017 Volvo Bus 9700 buses with an undersized power feed relay for the engine and transmission. The relay can fail and shut the engine down unexpectedly, increasing crash risk. Volvo Bus dealers replace the relay with a larger one for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2017 Volvo Bus 9700 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm the bus is included in recall 16V836. If it is, contact a franchised Volvo Bus dealer to schedule the relay replacement. Reference recall number 16V836 or Volvo Bus recall SR16-86 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Volvo Bus will replace the affected relay free of charge at a franchised Volvo Bus dealer. Parts and labor are covered for vehicles included in recall 16V836.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V836?
The safety risk is an unexpected engine shutdown. The undersized relay can fail while the bus is operating, causing the engine to stall. Volvo Bus reported that this condition increases crash risk, and the repair path is a free dealer relay replacement.
What if I bought my Volvo Bus 9700 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included, then call a franchised Volvo Bus dealer and reference recall 16V836 or Volvo Bus recall SR16-86.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V836000 |
|---|---|
| Volvo Bus customer service | 1-877-773-8678 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V836 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V836000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →