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NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Volvo VN Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 Volvo VN has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 7 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volvo dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Volvo VN. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1998 Volvo VN owner complaints

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Volvo VN, describing incidents dated December 8, 1998 to August 10, 2010.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 1 complaint
  • Engine 1 complaint
  • Power Train 1 complaint
  • Service Brakes 1 complaint
  • Steering 1 complaint
  • Structure 1 complaint

Of the 7 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire; across all 7 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10357868 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #863270 · Filed

    CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF STEERING GRILL. TRUCK WAS LEANING ON THE LEFT SIDE, AND ONE OF THE TIRES WAS WORN OUT BECAUSE OF THE LEANING. COSNUMER FELT TRUCK WAS NOT SAFE. *AK

  • ODI #785893 · Filed

    THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES. NLM

Read all 7 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1998 Volvo VN in 4 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

VOLVO TRUCKS/FMVSS 120/LABEL

NHTSA #01V093000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported March 22, 2001 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC

Potentially affected: 1,577 vehicles

Owners notified April 26, 2001 · Vehicles built November 22, 1997 – August 28, 1999 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VOLVO TRUCKS/HALDEX/FMVSS 121

NHTSA #00V002002 · Parking Brake · NHTSA notice

Reported February 24, 2000 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC

Potentially affected: 13,516 vehicles

Volvo campaign RVXX0002 · Owners notified March 28, 2000 · Vehicles built June 4, 1997 – February 28, 1998 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT VALVES.

Notes

VOLVO TRUCK RECALL NO. RVXX0002.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 28, 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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VOLVO TRUCKS/COMPACT HEATER

NHTSA #99V225000 · Visibility — Defroster/Defogger/HVAC System · NHTSA notice

Reported August 18, 1999 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC

Potentially affected: 352 vehicles

Volvo campaign RVXX9904 · Owners notified September 27, 1999 · Vehicles built September 15, 1998 – July 12, 1999 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 1999.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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VOLVO TRUCK/FRONT STEER AXLE

NHTSA #98V297000 · Steering — Linkages · NHTSA notice

Reported November 17, 1998 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC

Potentially affected: 25 vehicles

Owners notified November 30, 1998 · Vehicles built September 9, 1997 – October 9, 1998 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 30, 1998. 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 TRUCK AT 1-800-528-6586.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VOLVO TRUCK/ACCURIDE/ALUMINUM DUAL WHEELS

NHTSA #98V120001 · Wheels — Rim · NHTSA notice

Reported May 19, 1998 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC

Potentially affected: 3,065 vehicles

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 consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THESE WHEELS.

Manufacturer remedy

ACCURIDE/AKW WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.

Notes

ACCURIDE/AKW WILL CONDUCT THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN FOR THIS RECALL.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 27, 1998. OWNERS WHO DO NOT HAVE THEIR WHEELS REPLACED FREE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT ACCURIDE/KAISER AT 1-888-665-9189 OR VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VOLVO TRUCK/DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS

NHTSA #98V092000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported May 4, 1998 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC

Potentially affected: 2,329 vehicles

Owners notified May 30, 1998 · Vehicles built November 24, 1997 – April 17, 1998 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING LATE MAY 1998.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 TRUCK AT 1-800-528-6586.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Volvo VN model years

Check your 1998 Volvo VN VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volvo VN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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