Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Vehicle safety record

1998 Volvo VN Problems, complaints & recalls

No owner complaints about the 1998 Volvo VN have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in March 2001 for the labels.

NHTSA data checked

DMore problems than a typical VN year, for its age

Complaints
0
Recalls
6
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

1998 Volvo VN recalls 6

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Equipment: labels

01V0930001,577 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The 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.
The fix
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.

Parking brake

00V00200213,516 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
The loss of service brakes can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT VALVES.

Visibility: defroster / defogger / hvac system

99V225000352 vehicles affected

The problem
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."
The 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.
The fix
Dealers will wire the fuel-metering pump through a rollover protection switch.

Steering: linkages

98V29700025 vehicles affected

The problem
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with a fal 8.0 Front steer axle. The upper steering arm can fail without warning.
The risk
This condition can result in the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the upper steering arm and replace it, if required.

Wheels: rim

98V1200013,065 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
This condition can cause failure of these wheels.
The fix
ACCURIDE/AKW WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.

Exterior lighting

98V0920002,329 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If these lights fail, a visibility problem would occur increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRL CONTROL MODULE.

What owners say

Be the first VN owner to share.

Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now

No complaints about the 1998 Volvo VN yet

No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.

Volvo VN: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20020500-C
20011200Body, doors & structureB
20000200-B
19990500-C
19980600-D
19970900-F
19960100-A
All VN years

1998 Volvo VN vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

Own a 1998 Volvo VN? Share your experience.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Questions about the 1998 Volvo VN

Does the 1998 Volvo VN have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 1998 Volvo VN: labels (March 2001); parking brake (February 2000); defroster / defogger / hvac system (August 1999); linkages (November 1998) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

How many complaints has the 1998 Volvo VN had?

None have been filed with NHTSA so far.

Is the 1998 Volvo VN a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 35 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Volvo VN year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Volvo VN years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1998 Volvo VN has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience