- The problem
- Certain heavy duty class 8 trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." The two tail lamps, back-up lamp,and license tag lamp were mounted on insufficiently rigid mounts.
- The risk
- It may not allow the driver of a rearward approaching vehicle to have full view of the lamps.
- The fix
- Dealers will attach the two tail lamps, back-up lamp, and the license tap lamp on stiffer brackets. Owner notification began october 31, 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.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Volvo VNL Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1997 Volvo VNL have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in September 2002 for the switch.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical VNL year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1997 Volvo VNL recalls 4
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
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If this condition occurs, the driver can lose of the towed vehicle, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks built with bendix air abs with an ec-17 1030r electronic control unit (ecu), there have been reports of unwanted abs activation at low speeds caused by 1) chafed abs wheel speed sensor wires on rotating parts or 2) a damaged component at the wheel end that generates a certain type of erratic sensor signal.
- The risk
- This condition could cause the abs ecu to exhaust the air at the air brake modulators for one or more of the wheels. This could result in extended braking distances and a possible crash.
- The fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: class 8 heavy duty trucks. The steer axle wheel bearing jam nut lock washer may not have been bent over the jam nut after the wheel bearings were adjusted.
- The risk
- If this condition exists, the jam nut and wheel bearing adjusting nut can back off the spindle allowing the wheel and the brake drum assembly to separate from the vehicle increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the steering axle wheel bearing jam nut lock washer to determine if it is bent over the jam nut, and if not, repair as required.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1997 Volvo VNL 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 VNL: every year compared
All VNL years1997 Volvo VNL vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Volvo VNL | 0 | 4 | B | |
| 1997 Volvo 850 | 121 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Volvo 960 | 25 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Volvo S90 | 7 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1997 Volvo S70 | 4 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1997 Volvo 940 | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
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.
Questions about the 1997 Volvo VNL
Does the 1997 Volvo VNL have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 1997 Volvo VNL: switch (September 2002); antilock (April 2002); antilock (August 2000); wheel bearing (November 1997). 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 1997 Volvo VNL had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1997 Volvo VNL a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 73 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Volvo VNL 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 VNL years have the most complaints?
2007 (15), 2016 (12), 2014 (8). See every Volvo VNL year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Volvo VNL 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