1998 Volvo Volvo Truck recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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.
What could happen: 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 FR…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 VOLVO TRUCK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V110000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-528-6586.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
Summary: 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.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE OF THE TOWED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
2. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR 3116 MECHANICALLY UNIT INJECTED DIESEL ENGINES. THE GOVERNOR OF THE ENGINE CONTROLS THE UNIT INJECTOR FUELING BY WAY OF A CONTROL ASSEMBLY. IN THIS ASSEMBLY, A LINK TO THE GOVERNOR IS JOINED TO THE CONTROL ROD USING A RIVET. THIS RIVET CAN LOOSEN AND THEN WEAR RESULTING IN ENGINE SPEED INSTABILITY.
What could happen: IF NOT IDENTIFIED AND CORRECTED, ENGINE SPEED CONTROL COULD BE LOST DUE TO RIVET DISENGAGEMENT.
The fix: CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CONTROL ASSEMBLY AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 VOLVO TRUCK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 99V187001.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH CATERPILLAR 3116 MECHANICALLY UNIT INJECTED DIESEL ENGINES. THE GOVERNOR OF THE ENGINE CONTROLS THE UNIT INJECTOR FUELING BY WAY OF A CONTROL ASSEMBLY. IN THIS ASSEMBLY, A LINK TO THE GOVERNOR IS JOINED TO THE CONTROL ROD USING A RIVET. THIS RIVET CAN LOOSEN AND THEN WEAR RESULTING IN ENGINE SPEED INSTABILITY.
Consequence: IF NOT IDENTIFIED AND CORRECTED, ENGINE SPEED CONTROL COULD BE LOST DUE TO RIVET DISENGAGEMENT.
Remedy: CATERPILLAR IS CONDUCTING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CONTROL ASSEMBLY AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 1999. 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 CATERPILLAR AT 1-309-675-5658. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
3. Engine
What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS 8 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS ASSEMBLED BY EITHER VOLVO GM HEAVY TRUCK CORPORATION OR VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC., AND WITH A 2,100 RPM DETROIT SERIES 60 ENGINE, AND A 32 INCH, 8 BLADE KYSOR ENGINE COOLING FAN. THE BLADES MAY SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY DURING FAN OPERATION AND FULL ENGINE RPM.
What could happen: THIS CONDITION POSES A HAZARD TO ANYONE WORKING OR STANDING IN THE AREA OF THE ENGINE COOLING FAN WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE HOOD IS OPEN.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FACTORY INSTALLED ENGINE COOLING FAN.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1998 VOLVO TRUCK.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 99V078000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS 8 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS ASSEMBLED BY EITHER VOLVO GM HEAVY TRUCK CORPORATION OR VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC., AND WITH A 2,100 RPM DETROIT SERIES 60 ENGINE, AND A 32 INCH, 8 BLADE KYSOR ENGINE COOLING FAN. THE BLADES MAY SEPARATE FROM THE ENGINE COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY DURING FAN OPERATION AND FULL ENGINE RPM.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION POSES A HAZARD TO ANYONE WORKING OR STANDING IN THE AREA OF THE ENGINE COOLING FAN WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE HOOD IS OPEN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FACTORY INSTALLED ENGINE COOLING FAN.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 23, 1999. 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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Suspension (8), Brakes (3), Air (3), Transmission / drivetrain (3), Electrical system (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
02/06/2003 · Suspension
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR. SCC
05/30/2002 · Suspension
CONSUMER STATES ONE OF THE WHEELS FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE AND IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH U-BOLTS POSSIBLY CAUSING PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR. *TT
05/09/2002 · Suspension
CONSUMER STATES NOSE IS HEAVY WITH BOX. *YD
05/09/2002 · Brakes
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A CLUNK IN THE FRONT AXLE WHEN BRAKING, VNL610. *YD
05/09/2002 · Unknown Or Other
CONSUMER STATES DASHBOARD SHORTS OUT GAUGES LIKE THE FUEL GAUGE, VNL610. *YD
05/06/2002 · Suspension
VOLVO VNL64T 1998 - CONSUMER EXPERIENCING FRONT END PROBLEMS POSSIBLY CAUSING PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR, DEALER REPLACED, BALANCED AND ALIGNED STEER TIRES THAT WERE OFF TRACK. *TT
08/15/2001 · Suspension
CONSUMER STATED THE U-BOLTS BROKE CAUSING THE STEERING TO GO BAD.(VOLVO TRUCK 610)*JB
08/15/2001 · Transmission / drivetrain
1998 VNL 64T MODEL - TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH FAILED. *TT