1998 Volvo VNL
Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 8
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 1998
Opened by NHTSA
Not enough data
Complaints per year
1998: 8 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1999 | 11 |
| 2000 | 10 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 15 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
Known problem areas
Only 8 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Suspension
7 of 8 total reports mention: suspension, most commonly citing hub.
Show complaint excerpts
Premature wear from steer tires resulting from improper combination of race/bearings in meritor axles.
NHTSA ODI report, 2001-03-16
Premature wear from steer tires resulting from improper combination of race/bearings in meritor axles.
NHTSA ODI report, 2001-03-16
Premature wear from steer tires resulting from improper combination of race/bearings in meritor axles. Lost wheel assembly.
NHTSA ODI report, 2001-03-16
Steering
1 of 8 total reports mentions: steering, most commonly citing connection.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Volvo VNL. The contact received an unknown manufacturers recall notice concerning the steering drag link September 2010.
NHTSA ODI report, 2010-09-27
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2000-12-11Service brakes, air00V232003 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)…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS ECU.
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R
2002-04-29Service brakes, air02V110000 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…
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…
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R
2002-10-31Exterior lighting02V238000 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…
Remedy: 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…
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I
2002-12-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-05-30 Integral hub and bearing assembly
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R
2003-10-06Suspension03V199000 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.
Remedy: 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…
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I
2004-02-05Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-06-24 Steering binding
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I
2009-01-15Engineering analysisClosed 2010-07-06 Drag Link Failure
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R
Date not on fileTires99V296001 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.
Remedy: Continental general is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Dealers will exchange the tire for an identical or reasonably equivalent tire.
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Volvo VNL — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Suspension: 7 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 1 report on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 99V296001 · Tires
- Recall 00V232003 · Service brakes, air
- Recall 02V110000 · Service brakes, air
- Recall 02V238000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 03V199000 · Suspension
FAQ
- Is the 1998 Volvo VNL reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 1998 Volvo VNL?
- The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 88% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Volvo VNL have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.