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1998 Volvo VNLProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 1998 Volvo VNL, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints80 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem7Suspension

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 27, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Volvo VNL has problems

8 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension70
Steering10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

1998 Volvo VNL recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Tail lights: switch

Recall 02V-238 · Sep 9, 2002 · 5,532 vehicles

Risk. IT MAY NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER OF A REARWARD APPROACHING VEHICLE TO HAVE FULL VIEW OF THE LAMPS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, air: antilock

Recall 02V-110 · Apr 11, 2002 · 208 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, air: antilock

Recall 00V-232 · Aug 22, 2000 · 18,362 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volvo.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other VNL year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the VNL median. How we score

'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Volvo VNL, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Drag Link FailureEA09003 · closed Jul 6, 2010
    Led to recall 10V-282
  2. INTEGRAL HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLYPE02095 · closed May 30, 2003
    Led to recall 03V-199
  3. STEERING BINDINGPE04014 · closed Jun 24, 2004
    No recall
In owners' words

What VNL owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 8004896 · Mar 4, 2002
PREMATURE WEAR FROM STEER TIRES RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMBINATION OF RACE/BEARINGS IN MERITOR AXLES. LOST WHEEL ASSEMBLY. *MJS
Complaint 560203 · Feb 28, 2001

Own a 1998 VNL?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.