RoadVitals

1998 Volvo Vnl

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.
8
Latest Sep 27, 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 May 28, 2003
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.
3
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Volvo Vnl, most frequently naming the suspension and steering categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 61 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

  • Suspension787.5%
  • Steering112.5%

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

View all 5

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
03V199000

SUSPENSION:FRONT

May 28, 2003
433 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TRUCK HUB UNITS MANUFACTURED BY SKF EXCLUSIVELY FOR USE ON ARVINMERITOR'S FF98X SERIES NON-DRIVE STEER AXLES, THE HUB UNIT BEARINGS CAN WEAR PREMATURELY.
The risk: SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FRONT AXLE HUBS. AN INTERIM NOTICE TO OWNERS WAS MAILED ON JUNE 25, 2003. FINAL OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2003. 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 AT 1-800-528-6586.
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INCManufacturer number RVXX0304View on NHTSA.gov
02V238000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS:SWITCH

Sep 9, 2002
5,532 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE TWO TAIL LAMPS, BACK-UP LAMP,AND LICENSE TAG LAMP WERE MOUNTED ON INSUFFICIENTLY RIGID MOUNTS.
The risk: IT MAY NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER OF A REARWARD APPROACHING VEHICLE TO HAVE FULL VIEW OF THE LAMPS.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL ATTACH THE TWO TAIL LAMPS, BACK-UP LAMP, AND THE LICENSE TAP LAMP ON STIFFER BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 31, 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
02V110000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK

Apr 11, 2002
208 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS", S5.1.6.3, "ANTILOCK POWER FOR TOWED VEHICLES." ELECTRICAL POWER FOR THE TRAILER ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) CAN BE DISRUPTED WHEN A SWITCH LOCATED ON THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS ACTIVATED TO CONTROL LIGHTING WITHIN THE TRAILER.
The risk: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE OF THE TOWED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS WHICH WILL PROVIDE CONTINUOUS ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE TRAILER ABS WHENEVER THE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE ON OR RUN POSITION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 29, 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

Safety investigations

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

EA09003ClosedEngineering Analysis

Drag Link Failure

Opened Jan 15, 2009
Closed Jul 6, 2010

EA09-003 is closed with the submission of Volvo's recall 10V-282 recalling approximately 111,034 Model Year (MY) 1998 through 2005 VN and VNL class 8 trucks.Volvo announced recall 10V-282 in response to NHTSA's recall request letter dated June 3, 2010 (available at NHTSA's web site www.safercar.gov). NHTSA found that these vehicles were designed and manufactured with a TRW ball joint that does not meet the combined performance requirements and foreseeable inspection practices of the U.S. market.The ball joint in the steering system that connects the driver's side steering arm/knuckle to the drag link can fail resulting in a total loss of steering on the vehicle.Volvo changed the size and supplier of the ball joint used on these vehicles starting with the 2006 MY vehicles.The failure rates on the vehicles manufactured with the larger ball joint are significantly less than the subject vehicles.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by ODI that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in Volvo's recall.ODI will continue to monitor the incidence of drag link failures in other MY Volvo trucks.Note:The recall request letter dated June 3, 2010 associated with this investigation describes 49 incidents of ball joint separation.After a comprehensive review of the data it was discovered that the number of separations that NHTSA was aware of was 41 with a failure rate of 36.9 R/100K.The 41 separations resulted in 23 crash allegations.

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMANLed to recall 10V282000
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
PE02095ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY

Opened Dec 11, 2002
Closed May 30, 2003

THE COMPANIES INVOLVED IN THIS MATTER ARE: SKF (HUB MFR), ARVINMERITOR (FRONT AXLE MFR), AND VOLVO (MANUFACTURER OF CLASS VIII TRACTOR/TRUCKS).SKF IDENTIFIED MANUFACTURING DEFECTS FOR SPECIFIC BUILD DATES ON FRONT AXLE HUB AND BEARINGS (WHEEL BEARINGS) SUPPLIED TO ARVINMERITOR.AS A RESULT, ARVINMERITOR NOTIFIED VOLVO OF AXLES SUPPLIED WITH POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLIES.AS A RESULT OF THAT NOTIFICATION, 433 TRUCKS ARE BEING RECALLED BY VOLVO FOR DEFECTIVE FRONT AXLE WHEEL BEARINGS WHICH MAY FAIL IN SUCH A WAY THAT A WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL BEARING FIRE OCCURS.SEE ATTACHED SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUBLed to recall 03V199000

Recent owner complaints

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

Steering
Filed Sep 27, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURERS RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING THE STEERING DRAG LINK SEPTEMBER 2010. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS DUE TO AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600,000.

NHTSA ID
10357873
Incident
Sep 10, 2010
Mileage
400,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 4, 2002

FRONT END VIBRATES AT ANY SPEED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN, ALSO IT WEARS ON THE TIRES BY DIPPING ON THE SIDES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
8004896
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Suspension
Filed Feb 28, 2001

PREMATURE WEAR FROM STEER TIRES RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMBINATION OF RACE/BEARINGS IN MERITOR AXLES. LOST WHEEL ASSEMBLY. *MJS

NHTSA ID
560203
Incident
Nov 24, 1999
Suspension
Filed Feb 28, 2001

PREMATURE WEAR FROM STEER TIRES RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMBINATION OF RACE/BEARINGS IN MERITOR AXLES. *MJS

NHTSA ID
560191
Incident
Nov 12, 1999
Suspension
Filed Feb 28, 2001

PREMATURE WEAR FROM STEER TIRES RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMBINATION OF RACE/BEARINGS IN MERITOR AXLES. *MJS

NHTSA ID
560110
Incident
Oct 16, 1999
Suspension
Filed Feb 28, 2001

PREMATURE WEAR FROM STEER TIRES RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMBINATION OF RACE/BEARINGS IN MERITOR AXLES. *MJS

NHTSA ID
560106
Incident
Dec 10, 1999
Suspension
Filed Feb 28, 2001

PREMATURE WEAR FROM STEER TIRES RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMBINATION OF RACE/BEARINGS IN MERITOR AXLES. *MJS

NHTSA ID
560098
Incident
May 22, 1999
Suspension
Filed Feb 28, 2001

PREMATURE WEAR FROM STEER TIRES RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMBINATION OF RACE/BEARINGS IN MERITOR AXLES. *MJS

NHTSA ID
560097
Incident
May 13, 1999

Manufacturer communications

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

KC-2112

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN

Programming Failure - Chassis With Cummins Engine And An Allison Transmission

KC-405

POWER TRAIN

Warranty Automated Manual Transmission ( AMT, I-Shift, mDrive ) Control Housing Assembly; Guidelines For Filing A Claim For Chassis Return Visit With Transmission Issues After A Repair Requiring Control Housing Removal And Reinstallation - US07 And Newer

KC-2119

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

DTC U012100 - Lost Communication With Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Control Module, No Additional Information

KC-2143

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

(Back Office) - Cruise Control Inoperative After Updating Software VECU5 Without ESP Package (UESP)

KC-2028

POWER TRAIN

AMT Control Housing Bench Testing - False Failures

KC-2174

STEERING; SUSPENSION

Volvo Chassis - Drag Link Inspection And Replacement Criteria

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 Vnl by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010—
2024070—
2023130—
2022270—
2021070—
2020090—
2019480—
2018850—
2017051—
2016126260.8
2015592—
20148123—
20137143—
20125144—
20114124—
2010043—
2009244—
20083123—
2007159364.2
2006771—
2005663—
2004562—
2003292—
2002173—
2001182—
2000104259.4
1999115351.6
1998Viewing853—
1997040—
1996010—
1995010—
1994010—
1993010—
1992010—
1991010—
1990010—

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.