NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Volvo Volvo Truck Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 Volvo Volvo Truck has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 12 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 Volvo Truck. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

1998 Volvo Volvo Truck owner complaints

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Volvo Volvo Truck, describing incidents dated September 29, 1997 to May 13, 2001.

Most-cited components

Suspension 6 complaints
Electrical System 3 complaints
Power Train 3 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Structure 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #856942 · Filed February 15, 2000
A 12LB AXLE WAS PLACED ON THE FRONT END OF VOLVO TRUCK. SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING NEAR THE WHEEL AREA. THIS CAUSED THE WHEEL BEARINGS TO MELT ONTO THE HUB. TOOK TRUCK TO PETERBILT DEALERSHIP TO CHECK AIR BRAKES. MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER PROBLEM NOT BRAKES, BUT THE AXLE. BRAKES & AXLE NEEDED REPLACING…
ODI #745279 · Filed May 13, 2001
VEHICLE S CONSTANTLY OVERWEIGHT ON THE FRONT AXLE WHEN FUELED. THIS CONDITION EXISTS WITHOUT BEING HOOKED UP TO A TRAILER. VOLVO TRUCKS MAKES IT VERY HARD TO HELP A SMALL OWNER OPERATOR LIKE MYSELF. THE FRONT TIRE WEAR IS NOT THE BEST EITHER. [XXX] HAS HELPED US A LOT. THE FUEL TANKS NEED TO MOVED…
ODI #565897 · 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

Read all 12 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1998 Volvo Volvo Truck in 2 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.

Engineering Analysis EA04-016: STEERING BINDING
Closed March 31, 2005
Preliminary Evaluation PE04-014: STEERING BINDING
Closed June 24, 2004

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

VOLVO TRUCKS/FMVSS 121/ELECTRICAL POWER TO ABS

NHTSA #02V110000 · Service Brakes, Air — Antilock · NHTSA notice

Reported April 11, 2002 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC

Potentially affected: 208 vehicles

Owners notified April 29, 2002 · Vehicles built October 20, 1997 – November 1, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE OF THE TOWED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

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/CATERPILLAR/DIESEL ENGINE

NHTSA #99V187001 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine — Diesel · NHTSA notice

Reported June 23, 1999 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC

Potentially affected: 162 vehicles

Vehicles built March 27, 1996 – April 14, 1997 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF NOT IDENTIFIED AND CORRECTED, ENGINE SPEED CONTROL COULD BE LOST DUE TO RIVET DISENGAGEMENT.

Manufacturer remedy

CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CONTROL ASSEMBLY AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 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 CATERPILLAR AT 1-309-675-5658. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VOLVO TRUCKS/ENGINE COOLING FAN

NHTSA #99V078000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Fan · NHTSA notice

Reported April 13, 1999 · VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC

Potentially affected: 382 vehicles

Volvo campaign RVXA9902 · Owners notified April 23, 1999 · Vehicles built March 18, 1994 – December 10, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FACTORY INSTALLED ENGINE COOLING FAN.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 23, 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).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1998 Volvo Volvo Truck. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

12 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Volvo Volvo Truck.

Service Brakes, Air; Power Train

ODI #856942

Filed: February 15, 2000

A 12LB AXLE WAS PLACED ON THE FRONT END OF VOLVO TRUCK. SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING NEAR THE WHEEL AREA. THIS CAUSED THE WHEEL BEARINGS TO MELT ONTO THE HUB. TOOK TRUCK TO PETERBILT DEALERSHIP TO CHECK AIR BRAKES. MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER PROBLEM NOT BRAKES, BUT THE AXLE. BRAKES & AXLE NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO SIZE OF AXLE. *AK

Suspension; Fuel System, Gasoline; Power Train; Tires

ODI #745279

Incident: May 13, 2001 · Filed: May 13, 2001

VEHICLE S CONSTANTLY OVERWEIGHT ON THE FRONT AXLE WHEN FUELED. THIS CONDITION EXISTS WITHOUT BEING HOOKED UP TO A TRAILER. VOLVO TRUCKS MAKES IT VERY HARD TO HELP A SMALL OWNER OPERATOR LIKE MYSELF. THE FRONT TIRE WEAR IS NOT THE BEST EITHER. [XXX] HAS HELPED US A LOT. THE FUEL TANKS NEED TO MOVED TO THE REAR. THE FRONT SPRINGS ARE SHOWING ABNORMAL WEAR PATTERN. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION SEVERAL TIMES DURING NORMAL WARRANTY WORK. ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL.THIS VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED WITH DUAL 150 GALLONS AN D HAS ALL THE APPLICABLE STICKERS MEETING VARIOUS SAFETY STANDARDS. THIS VEHICLE HAS HARD TIME GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH A FULL LOAD OF FUEL LEGALLY. THE FRONT AXLE WEIGHT LIMIT BEING OF 12000LBS IN MOST STATES WITH NORMAL ROAD TIRES , THIS IS WITH NORMAL 14PLY TIRES WHICH ARE STANDARD OEM SUPPLY. VOLVO HAS THOUGHT OF THIS SITUATION BUT NOT A [XXX] OF A LOT HAS BEEN DONE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE BIG MANUFACTURERS GO AFTER THE BIG FLEET OWNERS KNOWING WELL THAT US SMALL-FRY WHEN WE GET P-O AFTER THEIR LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE WILL EJECT FROM THEIR AND PURCHASE SOMETHING ELSE AND TAKE IT IN THE SHORTS WITH THE TRADE IN. ALL OH THIS DOES NOT DO ANYTHING FOR THE SAFETY OF [XXX] PUBLIC WHO THINKS THAT THESE BEHEMOTHS THAT HE HAS TO SHARE THE ROAD WITH ARE DANGEROUS. I HAVE BEEN OWNING AND OPERATING THIS TYPE OF EQUIPMENT FOR 30YRS NOW AND GOT A GOOD IDEA ABOUT DOING IT (FINALLY ?) I WISH TO THINK THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO HELP. THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS OF THESE VOLVOS THAT ARE IN THE SAME BOAT. VOLVO ISN'T SELLING TO WELL LATELY. THE FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM WON'T BE CHEAP EITHER. SOME RECOGNITION FROM THE MANUFACTURER WOULD BE HELPFUL OTHER THAN A NEW STICKER ON THE CHASIS...THANK YOU VERY MUCH , SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS *TR

Suspension

ODI #565897

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

Unknown or Other

ODI #565626

Filed: May 9, 2002

CONSUMER STATES DASHBOARD SHORTS OUT GAUGES LIKE THE FUEL GAUGE, VNL610. *YD

Suspension

ODI #565602

Incident: September 29, 1997 · 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

Power Train

ODI #565166

Filed: August 15, 2001

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

Suspension

ODI #565165

Filed: August 15, 2001

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

Electrical System; Structure

ODI #565157

Filed: August 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

Electrical System

ODI #565137

Filed: August 15, 2001

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

Suspension

ODI #565061

Filed: February 6, 2003

THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR. SCC

Other Volvo Volvo Truck model years

Check your 1998 Volvo Volvo Truck VIN

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