RoadVitals

1998 Volvo Volvo Truck

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.
13
Latest Feb 6, 2003
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.
3
Latest Apr 11, 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.
2
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 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Volvo Volvo Truck, most frequently naming the suspension, brakes and interior & seats categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 40 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

  • Suspension733.3%
  • Brakes314.3%
  • Interior & seats29.5%
  • Powertrain (other)29.5%
  • Body & structure29.5%
  • Electrical29.5%
  • Fuel system14.8%
  • Tires & wheels14.8%

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

3 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
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
99V187001

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

Jun 23, 1999
162 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR 3116 MECHANICALLY UNIT INJECTED DIESEL ENGINES. THE GOVERNOR OF THE ENGINE CONTROLS THE UNIT INJECTOR FUELING BY WAY OF A CONTROL ASSEMBLY. IN THIS ASSEMBLY, A LINK TO THE GOVERNOR IS JOINED TO THE CONTROL ROD USING A RIVET. THIS RIVET CAN LOOSEN AND THEN WEAR RESULTING IN ENGINE SPEED INSTABILITY.
The risk: IF NOT IDENTIFIED AND CORRECTED, ENGINE SPEED CONTROL COULD BE LOST DUE TO RIVET DISENGAGEMENT.
The remedy: CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CONTROL ASSEMBLY AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INCView on NHTSA.gov
99V078000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

Apr 13, 1999
382 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS 8 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS ASSEMBLED BY EITHER VOLVO GM HEAVY TRUCK CORPORATION OR VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC., AND WITH A 2,100 RPM DETROIT SERIES 60 ENGINE, AND A 32 INCH, 8 BLADE KYSOR ENGINE COOLING FAN. THE BLADES MAY SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY DURING FAN OPERATION AND FULL ENGINE RPM.
The risk: THIS CONDITION POSES A HAZARD TO ANYONE WORKING OR STANDING IN THE AREA OF THE ENGINE COOLING FAN WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE HOOD IS OPEN.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FACTORY INSTALLED ENGINE COOLING FAN.
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INCManufacturer number RVXA9902View 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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 13
Suspension
Filed Feb 6, 2003

THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR. SCC

NHTSA ID
565061
Mileage
65,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 30, 2002

CONSUMER STATES ONE OF THE WHEELS FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE AND IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH U-BOLTS POSSIBLY CAUSING PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR. *TT

NHTSA ID
565897
BrakesSuspension
Filed May 9, 2002

CONSUMER STATES NOSE IS HEAVY WITH BOX. *YD

NHTSA ID
565626
Suspension
Filed May 6, 2002

VOLVO VNL64T 1998 - CONSUMER EXPERIENCING FRONT END PROBLEMS POSSIBLY CAUSING PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR, DEALER REPLACED, BALANCED AND ALIGNED STEER TIRES THAT WERE OFF TRACK. *TT

NHTSA ID
565602
Incident
Sep 29, 1997
Transmission
Filed Aug 15, 2001

1998 VNL 64T MODEL - TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH FAILED. *TT

NHTSA ID
565166
Suspension
Filed Aug 15, 2001

CONSUMER STATED THE U-BOLTS BROKE CAUSING THE STEERING TO GO BAD.(VOLVO TRUCK 610)*JB

NHTSA ID
565165
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Aug 15, 2001

THE TRUCK WAS OVERWEIGHT ON THE FRONT AXLE, CONSUMER MOVED TANKS AND FIFTH WHEEL BACK. (VEHICLE MODEL: BROOKS AND DUNN) *JG. ALSO THE TRUCK EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.*JB

NHTSA ID
565157
Interior & seats
Filed Aug 15, 2001

POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASH. *TT

NHTSA ID
565137

Manufacturer communications

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

KC-759

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

New Trim Codes May Need To Be Reprogrammed Following Engine Replacement With 7/8 Reman Or Complete (Engine With Both New Injectors And Engine Control Module); Possible Uneven Operation/Rough Running At Idle Following EMS Programming With Data Transfer

KC-745

POWER TRAIN

Automated Manual Transmission ( AMT ) I-Shift / mDRIVE - Ribbon Harness Replacement - Speed Sensor Bolts, Possible Fault Codes P1058 - 21 Or MID 130 PID 161 FMI 1

KC-2143

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

KC-2119

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

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

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-2112

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN

Programming Failure - Chassis With Cummins Engine And An Allison Transmission

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 Volvo Truck by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2002200—
2001310—
2000720—
1999121238.2
1998Viewing133246.8
1997330—
1996530—
1995101031.4
1994510—
1993200—
1990110—
1988300—
1987010—
1986010—
1985020—
1984020—
1983040—
1982030—
1981030—
1980030—
1979030—
1978020—
1977020—

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.