The 1998 Volvo Vn has 6 safety recalls and 9 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (10 complaints).
Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints9filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Equipment › Other › Labels
NHTSA recall 01V093000 · Mar 22, 2001 · 1,577 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, THE WEIGHT CERTIFICATION LABEL WHICH CONTAINS FRONT GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS," DOES NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE ACTUAL FRONT GROSS AXLE WEIGHT.
Risk: WHEN OPERATING THE TRUCK "BOBTAIL" WITH FULL FUEL TANKS AND TWO OCCUPANTS WITH AN ALLOWANCE FOR PERSONAL BELONGINGS, THE ACTUAL GROSS AXLE WEIGHT MAY EXCEED THE STATED RATING FOUND ON THE WEIGHT CERTIFICATION LABEL.
Fix: THE WEIGHT CERTIFICATION LABEL WILL BE BROUGHT INTO COMPLIANCE BY ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING MEANS: (1) REPLACEMENT OF THE LABEL WITH ONE WHICH CONTAINS CORRECT INFORMATION; OR (2) REPLACEMENT OF FRONT AXLE TIRES, RIMS OR TIE ROD TUBE OR A COMBINATION THEREOF; OR (3) REPLACEMENT OR RELOCATION OF THE FUEL TANKS. DUE TO THE VARIOUS TRUCK CONFIGURATIONS, SEVERAL OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTERS ARE BEING SENT FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. THE FIRST OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS MAILED APRIL 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY OR LABEL WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
Parking brake
NHTSA recall 00V002002 · Feb 24, 2000 · 13,516 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH HALDEX MANIFOLD DASH VALVES (MDV) USED IN TRACTOR AND TRAILER PARKING BRAKES. THESE VALVES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." A LOSS OF THE ISOLATION OF THE TWO BRAKE SYSTEM CIRCUITS CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES WHEN THERE IS ANOTHER FAILURE OF ONE OF THE TWO BRAKE CIRCUITS.
Risk: THE LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT VALVES.
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
NHTSA recall 99V225000 · Aug 18, 1999 · 352 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN ESPAR COMPACT HEATER MOUNTED IN THE LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT. THE FUEL-METERING PUMP THAT SUPPLIES FUEL TO THE COMPACT HEATER IS NOT WIRED THROUGH A ROLLOVER PROTECTION SWITCH. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH 49 CFR 393.77, "HEATERS."
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ROLLOVER, AND THE COMPACT HEATER WAS IN OPERATION, FUEL WOULD STILL BE SUPPLIED TO THE HEATER CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL WIRE THE FUEL-METERING PUMP THROUGH A ROLLOVER PROTECTION SWITCH.
Steering › Linkages
NHTSA recall 98V297000 · Nov 17, 1998 · 25 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A FAL 8.0 FRONT STEER AXLE. THE UPPER STEERING ARM CAN FAIL WITHOUT WARNING.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UPPER STEERING ARM AND REPLACE IT, IF REQUIRED.
Wheels › Rim
NHTSA recall 98V120001 · May 19, 1998 · 3,065 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AFTERMARKET ALUMINUM DUAL WHEELS, 22.5X8.25, ONE-PIECE, TUBELESS, SUPPLIED BY ACCURIDE/AKW. CERTAIN DESIGN REVISIONS COMBINED WITH PROCESS CONDITIONS CAUSED FATIGUE CRACKS IN THESE WHEELS.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THESE WHEELS.
Fix: ACCURIDE/AKW WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.
Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
NHTSA recall 98V092000 · May 4, 1998 · 2,329 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS 8 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL) AND HEADLIGHTS CAN FAIL WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF THE DRL AND HEADLIGHT FUNCTIONS.
Risk: IF THESE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Suspension
10
0
0
0
—
Structure Body › Hood; Body
5
0
0
0
—
Equipment Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.
4
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Alternator/generator/regulator; Wiring
4
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting Turn signal › Switch
4
0
0
0
—
Power train Manual transmission; Clutch assembly
4
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
4
0
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 10, 2010 · 600,000 milesSteering › Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLVO VN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD SPORADICALLY BECOME EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STEERING DRAG LINK WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL CONCERNING THE STEERING DRAG LINK IN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE REIMBURSED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600,000.
Apr 18, 2002Suspension CONSUMER STATED THE ALTERNATOR AND IDLE PULLEY WERE BAD, THE AIR DRYER WAS REBUILT, AND THE TORQUE ARM, FOOT VALVE AND SHOCKS WERE REPLACED.*JB
Oct 17, 2001 · 1 injurySteering › Steering wheel/handle bar THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. NLM
Aug 15, 2001Electrical system THE LIGHTS AND COMPUTER IN THE DASH HAVE SHORTED OUT AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS IN THE DASH, THE VEHICLE IS OVERWEIGHT AND HAS EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SLC *NLM
Aug 15, 2001Suspension CONSUMER STATES HE IS HAVING FRONT TIRE PROBLEMS THAT IS CAUSING VIBRATION, THERE HAVE BEEN 4 SETS OF STEER TIRES IN 260000 MILES, THEY WEAR BAD AND GO WAY OUT OF BALANCE, THE VEHICLE HAS LEANED TO THE LEFT SINCE PURCHASE, BOTH SPRINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM, RSBROWN@WPE.COM. *SLC
Aug 15, 2001Electrical system › Wiring VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS, VEHICLE IS A DAYCAB. *SLC . *AK
Aug 15, 2001Suspension CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE DUE TO THE OVERWEIGHT STEER AXLE, DEALER HAS MADE SEVERAL REPAIRS, HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, VEHICLE VIBRATES AND EXPERIENCES TIRE WEAR. *SLC
Dec 13, 2000 · fireService brakes, air › Drum THE BRAKES ON THE HUB DID NOT FULLY RELEASE CAUSING A FIRE IN THE RIGHT FRONT HUB OF THE TANDEMS (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA04016 · opened Jun 24, 2004 · closed Mar 31, 2005STEERING BINDING ODI'S INVESTIGATIONCONCLUDED THAT THE LEGS THAT RETAIN THE TURN SIGNAL CANCELING RING (TSCR), PART NUMBER 1607363, TO THE STEERING WHEEL INSTALLED IN MODEL YEAR 1998 - 1999 VN AND VHD SERIES VTNA (VOLVO TRUCK NORTH AMERICA) VEHICLES ARE PRONE TO CRACKING AND BREAKING.WHEN THE RETENTION LEGS BREAK, THE SEPARATED PIECES OF THE TSCR TYPICALLYREPOSE IN THE HOST CAVITY IN THE STEERING WHEEL HUB WHERE THEY WERE DEPOSITED.ODIFOUND THAT BROKEN PIECES OF THE TSCR EITHER (1) MIGRATED FROM THEIR HOST CAVITY AND DROPPED COMPLETELY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY OR (2) LODGED IN VARIOUS AREAS OF THE STEERING WHEEL PROXIMATE TO THE TSCR.ODI SIMULATED VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND POSITIONS THAT A SEPARATED PIECE OF THE TSCR MIGHT BECOME LODGED WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY, BUT NONE OF THESE SIMULATIONS GENERATED ANY APPRECIABLE INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT.
PE04014 · opened Feb 5, 2004 · closed Jun 24, 2004STEERING BINDING ODI'S PRELIMINARY EVALUATION FOCUSED ON THE POTENTIAL FOR A BROKEN, BENT, DEFORMED, FRAGMENTED OR DISPLACED TURN SIGNAL CANCELING RING (TSCR), VTNA PART NUMBER 1607363, TO RESTRICT THEVEHICLE OPERATOR'S ABILITY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.THE PE IDENTIFIED THIRTEEN VTNA WARRANTY CLAIMS THAT ALLEGE THAT THE TSCR HAD FAILED AND THAT THE VEHICLE STEERING EFFORT HAD BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED.TO DATE, ODI HAS NOT FOUND ANY SAMPLES OF A FAILED TSCR AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DEFINITIVELY ESTABLISH WHETHER A FAILED TSCR CAN OR CANNOT CONTRIBUTE TO INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.ODI BELIEVES THAT IT IS APPROPRIATE TO CONDUCT FURTHER INVESTIGATION(EA LEVEL) TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TSCR FAILURES AND TO ASSESS THE EFFECT, IF ANY, THAT THESE TYPES OF FAILURES COULD HAVE ON VEHICLE STEERING EFFORT.
DP01006 · opened May 10, 2001 · closed Jan 23, 2002 · led to recall 01V093000EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATION LABEL There is no summary currently available
EA01011 · opened Apr 18, 2001 · closed Jul 30, 2002U-BOLT FAILURES ON DRIVE -AXLE ASSEMBLIE