RoadVitals

1999 Volvo Vn

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Sep 1, 2010
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Aug 15, 2002
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
4
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 Volvo Vn, most frequently naming the suspension, steering and powertrain (other) categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 88 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Suspension622.2%
  • Steering414.8%
  • Powertrain (other)27.4%
  • Interior & seats27.4%
  • Engine27.4%
  • Transmission27.4%
  • Visibility27.4%
  • Other / unspecified13.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Aug 15, 2002
19,915 units potentially affected
The defect: ON SOME HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR AXLE ASSEMBLIES WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH TRW MODEL 20EDL BALL SOCKETS, THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OUT OF THE SOCKET IN SOME APPLICATIONS.
The risk: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLIES. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERSEDES NHTSA CAMPAIGN NOS. 01V-139.001 AND 02V-037.002. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 25, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INCView on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Mar 22, 2001
1,577 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INCView on NHTSA.gov

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Nov 20, 2000
13,373 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVINMERITOR AXLE ASSEMBLIES WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH TRW MODEL 20EDL BALL SOCKETS. THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OUT OF THE SOCKET IN SOME APPLICATIONS.
The risk: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLIES. THE CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY RECALL NO. 02V037002. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 17, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA04016ClosedEngineering Analysis

STEERING BINDING

Opened Jun 24, 2004
Closed Mar 31, 2005

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.

STEERING:COLUMN
PE04014ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING BINDING

Opened Feb 5, 2004
Closed Jun 24, 2004

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.

STEERING
DP01006ClosedDefect Petition

EQUIPMENT CERTIFICATION LABEL

Opened May 10, 2001
Closed Jan 23, 2002

There is no summary currently available

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSLed to recall 01V093000
EA01011ClosedEngineering Analysis

U-BOLT FAILURES ON DRIVE -AXLE ASSEMBLIE

Opened Apr 18, 2001
Closed Jul 30, 2002
SUSPENSION

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Sep 1, 2010
Fire reported

1999 VOLVO VN, DESTROYED BY AN AXLE FIRE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0446-91)*JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF

NHTSA ID
10354250
Incident
Jul 31, 2010
Steering
Filed Feb 11, 2003

THE STEERING SHAFT SECTOR OF THE U JOINT LOCKED UP.*JB

NHTSA ID
10007088
Incident
Feb 11, 2003
EngineSteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 6, 2002

THE VEHICLE JUMPED RAILING AND THE CONSUMER LOST ALL STEERING RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK. *YH

NHTSA ID
565363
Incident
Aug 1, 1999
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+10 more
Filed Apr 18, 2002

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

NHTSA ID
8007904
Suspension
Filed Aug 15, 2001

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DASH BOUNCES AROUND, [email protected]. *SLC

NHTSA ID
565215
Interior & seatsSteeringSuspension+1 more
Filed Aug 15, 2001

VEHICLE,(VN700 SERIES), HAD THE DRAG ARM REPLACED. *JG

NHTSA ID
565152
Visibility
Filed Apr 1, 2001
Fire reported

ACCESSORY PANEL OF CAB,LOCATED IN SLEEPER COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. *JB

NHTSA ID
560651
Suspension
Filed Feb 4, 2000

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING FRONT END SUSPENSION PROBLEMS THAT CAUSED VIBRATON AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR. NLM

NHTSA ID
552244

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

CBR-2120 202308

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CBR: Volvo VHD & VN Models - Vehicle Wil Not Start, PTO Active Message Displayed In Cluster, PTO Light On When PTO Switch Is Turned Off

V728-005A 202308

SUSPENSION

TSB: Barksdale Leveling Valve, Leak Test

CBR-2112 202307

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN

CBR: Programming Failure - Chassis With Cummins Engine And An Allison Transmission

KC-2260

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

CBR: Volvo Chassis - Timing Gear Plate Repair. This solution provides supplementary information to be used when installing a Timing Gear Plate with Integrated Seal.

KC-2033

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

CBR: Volvo On-Highway Vehicles - Bendix ABS Fault SPN 807 FMI 13 Blink code 19-4. The new Central Pressure Control (CPC) system has changed the way that the ABS chuff test is performed.

KC-2248

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN

Flywheel Housing Thread Repair

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volvo Vn by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010
2026030
2025080
2024170
2023090
2022060
2021320
2020520
2019010
2018200
2017001
2016021
2015011
2014211
2013121
2012221
2011022
2010042
2009042
2008221
2007332
2006241
2005223
2004142
2003343
2002053
2001121
2000522
1999Viewing954
1998964
1997091
1996211
1995000
1994000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.