Owners have filed 64 complaints
about the 1999 Volvo VN610 with NHTSA between 2002 and 2003.
The largest single group is the suspension.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 37
Against the median year of the Volvo VN610. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 8
1.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2002peak 49Apr 2003
NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Volvo VN610
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA04016Opened 24 Jun 2004Closed 31 Mar 2005STEERING:COLUMN
STEERING BINDING
ODI'S INVESTIGATIONCONCLUDED THAT THE LEGS THAT RETAIN THE TURN SIGNAL CANCELING RING (TSCR), PART NUMBER 1607363, TO THE STEERING WHEEL INSTALLED IN MODEL YEAR 1998 - 1999 VN AND VHD SERIES VTNA (VOLVO TRUCK NORTH AMERICA) VEHICLES ARE PRONE TO CRACKING AND BREAKING.WHEN THE RETENTION LEGS BREAK, THE SEPARATED PIECES OF THE TSCR TYPICALLYREPOSE IN THE HOST CAVITY IN THE STEERING WHEEL HUB WHERE THEY WERE DEPOSITED.ODIFOUND THAT BROKEN PIECES OF THE TSCR EITHER (1) MIGRATED FROM THEIR HOST CAVITY AND DROPPED COMPLETELY FROM THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY OR (2) LODGED IN VARIOUS AREAS OF THE STEE...
PE04014Opened 5 Feb 2004Closed 24 Jun 2004STEERING
STEERING BINDING
ODI'S PRELIMINARY EVALUATION FOCUSED ON THE POTENTIAL FOR A BROKEN, BENT, DEFORMED, FRAGMENTED OR DISPLACED TURN SIGNAL CANCELING RING (TSCR), VTNA PART NUMBER 1607363, TO RESTRICT THEVEHICLE OPERATOR'S ABILITY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL.THE PE IDENTIFIED THIRTEEN VTNA WARRANTY CLAIMS THAT ALLEGE THAT THE TSCR HAD FAILED AND THAT THE VEHICLE STEERING EFFORT HAD BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED.TO DATE, ODI HAS NOT FOUND ANY SAMPLES OF A FAILED TSCR AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DEFINITIVELY ESTABLISH WHETHER A FAILED TSCR CAN OR CANNOT CONTRIBUTE TO INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.ODI BELIEVES THAT IT IS APPROPRI...
EA02021Opened 6 Sep 2002Closed 6 Nov 2003SUSPENSION
FRONT SUSPENSION U-BOLTS LOOSEN OR BREAK
ODI'SINVESTIGATION DID NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE THAT LOOSE OR BROKENFRONT SUSPENSION U-BOLTS HAVE CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO ANY CRASHES OR NEAR MISS EVENTS.SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSISREPORT FOR FULL TECHNICAL DETAILS.* 1996/1997 BUILT VEHICLES ARE DESIGNATED BY VOLVO AS 1998 MODEL YEAR.
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 501,493 milesMassillon, OHCrash
STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION
OWNER REPORTS THAT BALL SOCKET ON DRAG LINK SEPARATED CREATING A LOSS OF STEERING. VEHICLE DEPARTED RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY AND CAME TO REST IN A SWAMP. OWNER REPORTS VEHICLE MILEAGE AT JUST OVER 501,000. ROUTINE INSPECTS FAILED TO REVEAL ANY INDICATION OF IMPENDING FAILURE. THIS BALL SOCKET WAS NOT SUBJECT OF RECALL
NHTSA complaint #10015372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 501,493 milesMassillon, OHCrash
STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION
OWNER REPORTS THAT BALL SOCKET ON DRAG LINK SEPARATED CREATING A LOSS OF STEERING. VEHICLE DEPARTED RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY AND CAME TO REST IN A SWAMP. OWNER REPORTS VEHICLE MILEAGE AT JUST OVER 501,000. ROUTINE INSPECTS FAILED TO REVEAL ANY INDICATION OF IMPENDING FAILURE. THIS BALL SOCKET WAS NOT SUBJECT OF RECALL
NHTSA complaint #10015372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murray, KY
SUSPENSION
POOR TIRE TREAD WEAR - TREAD FAILS AFTER 60000 MILES. WHEEL ALIGNMENT GOOD, PERHAPS SPRINGS TOO WEAK. STEER AXLE APPEARS HEAVY - BOBTAIL WEIGHT 12,180 LBS. VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS N-14 ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10007133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Murray, KY
TIRES
POOR TIRE TREAD WEAR - TREAD FAILS AFTER 60000 MILES. WHEEL ALIGNMENT GOOD, PERHAPS SPRINGS TOO WEAK. STEER AXLE APPEARS HEAVY - BOBTAIL WEIGHT 12,180 LBS. VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS N-14 ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10007133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clarington, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THE DASH BOARD. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DASH BOARD LOSES POWER. DEALER WAS CONTACTED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gering, NE
SUSPENSION
THE STEERING TIRES WERE WORN OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS MISALIGNED. THE STEER AXLE TIRES WERE REPLACED SIX TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #565924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW London, OH
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REPLACE U-BOLTS 3 TIMES AND HAD TO HAVE WHEELS ALIGNED IN THE REAR BECAUSE OF THE U-BOLTS THROWING IT OUT OF PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #565927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW London, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE BUNK CLOCK IN THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING. THIS WAS COVERED BUT NOW THE WIRING TO THE CLOCK IS DEFECTIVE, CONSUMER IS ALSO EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS.
NHTSA complaint #565927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Paltz, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE HAS NO POWER, IT RATTLES, IS FALLING APART AND NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #565901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton, PA
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATES TRUCK IS HAVING U-BOLT PROBLEMS.*JB
NHTSA complaint #565095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seville, OH
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF HIS VEHICLE HAVING A HEAVY FRONT AXLE. VOLVO SAYS THERE IS NO PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #565898 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrod, OH
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR. HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END AND IS ON 2ND SET OF TIRES. THEY ARE WEARING ON THE LEFT SIDE, BUSHINGS ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #565637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pensacola, FL
POWER TRAIN
CONSUMER IS HAVING CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DUE TO CLAMP ON THE HOSE CAUSING A HOLE IN THE COOLER LINES.
NHTSA complaint #565571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madera, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
CONSUMER STATES WINDOWS IN THE TRUCK HAVE CRACKED OR BLOWN OUT.
NHTSA complaint #565574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manitowoc, WY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER STATES CRUISE CONTROL WORKS ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #565627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocala, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VOLVO TRUCK MODEL 610 IS EXPERIENCING DASH PROBLEMS (EMAIL: CHRIS@SUNSTARTRANSPORT.COM) .
NHTSA complaint #565594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beaver Crossing, NE
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE HAS U-BOLT PROBLEMS, POSSIBLE STEER TIRE WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #565164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wellington, OH
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE HAS A VIBRATION PROBLEM AT 1500 RPM WHERE THE DASH SHAKES VIOLENTLY BETWEEN 5TH AND 6TH GEAR. THE VIBRATION IS POSSIBLY CAUSED BY PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR. *TT THE STEER TIRES WERE CUPPED ON THE INSIDE EDGES. ALSO, VARIOUS LIGHTS AND GAUGES IN THE DASH WERE INOPERATIVE. THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #565035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton, PA
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATES TRUCK IS HAVING U-BOLT PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #565095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manitowoc, WY
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH STEERS AND EXCESSIVE EFFORT WITH STEERING.
NHTSA complaint #565627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dollard DES Ormeaux, CD
INTERIOR LIGHTING
CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DASH LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #565086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START.
NHTSA complaint #565027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carthage, MO
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE HAS A SET BACK AXLE ASSOCIATED WITH POPPING NOISE. *TT...
NHTSA complaint #565134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wellington, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
VEHICLE HAS A VIBRATION PROBLEM AT 1500 RPM WHERE THE DASH SHAKES VIOLENTLY BETWEEN 5TH AND 6TH GEAR. THE VIBRATION IS POSSIBLY CAUSED BY PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR. *TT THE STEER TIRES WERE CUPPED ON THE INSIDE EDGES. ALSO, VARIOUS LIGHTS AND GAUGES IN THE DASH WERE INOPERATIVE. THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #565035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburg, TX
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX LEAKS.
NHTSA complaint #565142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pensacola, FL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER.
NHTSA complaint #565571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.