1998 Volvo VNL Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other VNL years
- Not enough data 5th of 31 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Volvo VNL. That ranks 5th out of 31 VNL model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is suspension (7 complaints, 88%). There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 8owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1998 Volvo VNL problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 7 | 88% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 13% | 400,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1998 Volvo VNL recalls (5)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Suspension:front
Problem: On certain trucks equipped with truck hub units manufactured by skf exclusively for use on arvinmeritor's ff98x series non-drive steer axles, the hub unit bearings can wear prematurely.
Risk: Seizure of the bearings can cause wheel separation or wheel end fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace all front axle hubs. An interim notice to owners was mailed on june 25, 2003. Final owner notification began on october 6, 2003. 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 at 1-800-528-6586.
Exterior lighting:tail lights:switch
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.
Risk: It may not allow the driver of a rearward approaching vehicle to have full view of the lamps.
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.
Service brakes, air:antilock
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.
Risk: If this condition occurs, the driver can lose of the towed vehicle, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
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.
Service brakes, air:antilock
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.
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.
Fix: Dealers will replace the abs ecu.
Tires:bead
Problem: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with continental general s380a 295/75r22.5 lr g tires, serial nos. A3371e5488 through a3371e5089. These tires have been overcured.
Risk: This condition can cause tire failure.
Fix: Continental general is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Dealers will exchange the tire for an identical or reasonably equivalent tire.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Drag Link Failure (EA09003) — opened Jan 15, 2009, closed Jul 6, 2010, led to recall 10V282000.
- Steering binding (PE04014) — opened Feb 5, 2004, closed Jun 24, 2004.
- Integral hub and bearing assembly (PE02095) — opened Dec 11, 2002, closed May 30, 2003, led to recall 03V199000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 volvo vnl. The contact received an unknown manufacturers recall notice concerning the steering drag link september 2010. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised the contact that they would not assist with repairs due to age of the vehicle. The vehicle was not…
Front end vibrates at any speed. Cause is unknown, also it wears on the tires by dipping on the sides. Took vehicle to dealer and dealer can't duplicate the problem. *ak
Premature wear from steer tires resulting from improper combination of race/bearings in meritor axles. Lost wheel assembly. *mjs
Premature wear from steer tires resulting from improper combination of race/bearings in meritor axles. *mjs
Premature wear from steer tires resulting from improper combination of race/bearings in meritor axles. *mjs
Other Volvo VNL years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 VNL | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 VNL | 0 | 7 |
| 2023 VNL | 1 | 3 |
| 2022 VNL | 2 | 7 |
| 2021 VNL | 0 | 7 |
| 2020 VNL | 0 | 9 |
| 2019 VNL | 4 | 8 |
| 2018 VNL | 8 | 5 |
| 2017 VNL | 0 | 5 |
| 2016 VNL | 12 | 6 |
| 2015 VNL | 5 | 9 |
| 2014 VNL | 8 | 12 |
| 2013 VNL | 7 | 14 |
| 2012 VNL | 5 | 14 |
| 2011 VNL | 4 | 12 |
| 2010 VNL | 0 | 4 |
| 2009 VNL | 2 | 4 |
| 2008 VNL | 3 | 12 |
| 2007 VNL | 15 | 9 |
| 2006 VNL | 7 | 7 |
| 2005 VNL | 6 | 6 |
| 2004 VNL | 5 | 6 |
| 2003 VNL | 2 | 9 |
| 2002 VNL | 1 | 7 |
| 2001 VNL | 1 | 8 |
| 2000 VNL | 10 | 4 |
| 1999 VNL | 11 | 5 |
| 1998 | 8 | 5 |
| 1997 VNL | 0 | 4 |
| 1996 VNL | 0 | 1 |
| 1995 VNL | 0 | 1 |
See all Volvo VNL problems by year, every Volvo model, or the Volvo VIN decoder.
Similar Volvo models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Volvo VNL?
Owners most often report suspension, steering problems. The top one, suspension, accounts for 7 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Volvo VNL?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1998 Volvo VNL a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other VNL model years, the 1998 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.