Model year record

1998 Volvo VN

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 44 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V093000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC
Vehicles affected
1,577
Reported to NHTSA
2001-03-22
Owners notified
2001-04-26

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V002002

Parking brake

Component
Parking brake
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC
Vehicles affected
13,516
Reported to NHTSA
2000-02-24
Owners notified
2000-03-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT VALVES.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V225000

Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system

Component
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC
Vehicles affected
352
Reported to NHTSA
1999-08-18
Owners notified
1999-09-27

Defect description

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."

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL WIRE THE FUEL-METERING PUMP THROUGH A ROLLOVER PROTECTION SWITCH.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V297000

Steering: linkages

Component
Steering: linkages
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC
Vehicles affected
25
Reported to NHTSA
1998-11-17
Owners notified
1998-11-30

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A FAL 8.0 FRONT STEER AXLE. THE UPPER STEERING ARM CAN FAIL WITHOUT WARNING.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UPPER STEERING ARM AND REPLACE IT, IF REQUIRED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V120001

Wheels: rim

Component
Wheels: rim
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC
Vehicles affected
3,065
Reported to NHTSA
1998-05-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THESE WHEELS.

Manufacturer remedy

ACCURIDE/AKW WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V092000

Exterior lighting: headlights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC
Vehicles affected
2,329
Reported to NHTSA
1998-05-04
Owners notified
1998-05-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THESE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRL CONTROL MODULE.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Suspension10
Unknown or other4
Equipment3
Exterior lighting3
Power train: manual transmission3
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2
Structure: body2
Structure: body: hood2
Tires2
Electrical system1
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Seats1
Service brakes, air: drum1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection1600,000 mi
Structure1

The 1999 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.