1998 Volvo VN Problems, Complaints & Recalls

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.

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.

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.

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.

Risk: The loss of service brakes can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the suspect valves.

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."

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.

Fix: Dealers will wire the fuel-metering pump through a rollover protection switch.

Problem: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with a fal 8.0 front steer axle. The upper steering arm can fail without warning.

Risk: This condition can result in the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the upper steering arm and replace it, if required.

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.

Risk: This condition can cause failure of these wheels.

Fix: Accuride/akw will replace these wheels.

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.

Risk: If these lights fail, a visibility problem would occur increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the drl control module.