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1998 Volvo Volvo Truck

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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: 1 of 13 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 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Tires complaints

1 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 13, 2001
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainSuspension

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #745279

Official recalls

3

02V110000 · Service Brakes, Air:antilock

Apr 11, 2002

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

99V187001 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:diesel

Jun 23, 1999

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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

99V078000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Apr 13, 1999

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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FACTORY INSTALLED ENGINE COOLING FAN.

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

2

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.