Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 59 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Suspension. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
59 reports
428,000 miles · Aug 14, 2007
SteeringSuspensionCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLVO VN610. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING POWER. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BROUGHT IN FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BALL JOINT THAT WAS ATTACHED TO …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 VOLVO VN610. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING POWER. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BROUGHT IN FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BALL JOINT THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE DRAG LINK FELL APART. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 430,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 428,000. UPDATED 10/16/07 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10199493
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2003
SteeringCrash
TRW MANUFACTURED BALL SOCKET ON DRAG LINK SEPARATED RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. MINOR CRASH WITH NO INJURIES
NHTSA ODI #10037951
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2002
SteeringTiresUnknown Or OtherInjury
WHILE DRIVING, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT, CONSUMER STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCKED LIKE WHEN HAVING A FLAT TIRE, CONSUMER WAS INJURED AFTER REPAIRS, CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED AGAIN, THE HEAT VENT FOR THE DASH WAS FOUND STUCK IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, HOWEVER CONSU…
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WHILE DRIVING, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT, CONSUMER STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCKED LIKE WHEN HAVING A FLAT TIRE, CONSUMER WAS INJURED AFTER REPAIRS, CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED AGAIN, THE HEAT VENT FOR THE DASH WAS FOUND STUCK IN THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, HOWEVER CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THIS WAS CAUSED FROM THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #565375
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2002
Electrical SystemSuspension
CONSUMER STATES THE LCD GRAPHICS DISPLAY WAS SHOWING TRIP MILES, MPG, VOLTMETER, AT 98,000 THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, HOWEVER AT 240,000 CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HIMSELF AND THE MANUFACTURER IS OFFERING NO SOLUTIONS.*JB
NHTSA ODI #565370
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2002
Power TrainService Brakes, AirSteering
CONSUMER STATES EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASH. ON SEVERAL OCCASISIONS THE DASH LIGHTS AND GAUGES OPERATE ERRATICALLY. *TT
NHTSA ODI #565933
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ENGINE BRAKE (EXHAUST BRAKE) IS FAULTY. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE ROCKER ARMS HAVE WORN OUT. *TT
NHTSA ODI #565932
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2002
SuspensionUnknown Or Other
CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE DASH. *TT
NHTSA ODI #565931
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2002
Electrical SystemPower TrainSuspension
CONSUMER STATES THE AIR BAGS DROPPED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #565361
Mileage unknown · May 28, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ENGINE PROBLEMS. *YD
NHTSA ODI #565661
Mileage unknown · May 13, 2002
Suspension
THE FRONT END IS HEAVY. *JG
NHTSA ODI #565633
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
6
EA04016 · Steering Binding
Opened Jun 24, 2004 · Closed Mar 31, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:column
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
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.
PE04014 · Steering Binding
Opened Feb 5, 2004 · Closed Jun 24, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
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.
EA02021 · Front Suspension U-BOLTS Loosen Or Break
Opened Sep 6, 2002 · Closed Nov 6, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
ODI'SINVESTIGATION DID NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE THAT LOOSE OR BROKENFRONT SUSPENSION U-BOLTS HAVE CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO ANY CRASHES OR NEAR MISS EVENTS.SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSISREPORT FOR FULL TECHNICAL DETAILS.* 1996/1997 BUILT VEHICLES ARE DESIGNATED BY VOLVO AS 1998 MODEL YEAR.
PE01040 · Sleeper Berth Fires
Opened Dec 3, 2001 · Closed Mar 26, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
No summary supplied.
PE01041 · Steering Gearbox Or U-JOINT
Opened Dec 3, 2001 · Closed Jun 14, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
No summary supplied.
PE01042 · Steering Axle U-BOLT
Opened Dec 3, 2001 · Closed Sep 6, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
No summary supplied.
1998 Volvo VN610 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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