Owners have filed 65 complaints
about the 1999 Volvo VN770 with NHTSA between 1999 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 — 42
Against the median year of the Volvo VN770. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 24
4.6% 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.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Interior/Under Dash
728.0%
Manual Transmission
416.0%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator
312.0%
Clutch Assembly
312.0%
Turbo/Supercharger
28.0%
Wiring
28.0%
Glass, Side/Rear
28.0%
Windshield
28.0%
When owners complained
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.
Dec 1999peak 14Jan 2003
NHTSA investigations into the 1999 Volvo VN770
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...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Scranton, KSFire
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK BUCKS AND IS HARD TO CONTROL ON CONCRETE. NONE OF THE POWER WINDOW MECHANISMS WORK. A FIRE OCCURRED POSSIBLE WHERE THE REFRIGERATOR WAS PLUGGED IN CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SLEEPER AREA. *TT *NLM
NHTSA complaint #565140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scranton, KSFire
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK BUCKS AND IS HARD TO CONTROL ON CONCRETE. NONE OF THE POWER WINDOW MECHANISMS WORK. A FIRE OCCURRED POSSIBLE WHERE THE REFRIGERATOR WAS PLUGGED IN CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SLEEPER AREA. *TT *NLM
NHTSA complaint #565140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scranton, KSFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK BUCKS AND IS HARD TO CONTROL ON CONCRETE. NONE OF THE POWER WINDOW MECHANISMS WORK. A FIRE OCCURRED POSSIBLE WHERE THE REFRIGERATOR WAS PLUGGED IN CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SLEEPER AREA. *TT *NLM
NHTSA complaint #565140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Rolla, MS
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
EXCESSIVE TIRE TREAD WEAR ON FRONT TIRE, WHEEL BEARINGS LOOSEN, 7 ALTERNATORS FAILED, TRANSMISSION FAILED, GEAR BOX FAILED, BEEN IN SHOP 3 WEEKS, SEEMS SOMETHING FAILS AFTER EACH TIME IN SHOP. BELIEVES VERY POOR QUALITY REGARDING DEALER SHOP PERFORMANCE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10002560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolla, MS
SUSPENSION
EXCESSIVE TIRE TREAD WEAR ON FRONT TIRE, WHEEL BEARINGS LOOSEN, 7 ALTERNATORS FAILED, TRANSMISSION FAILED, GEAR BOX FAILED, BEEN IN SHOP 3 WEEKS, SEEMS SOMETHING FAILS AFTER EACH TIME IN SHOP. BELIEVES VERY POOR QUALITY REGARDING DEALER SHOP PERFORMANCE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10002560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolla, MS
TIRES
EXCESSIVE TIRE TREAD WEAR ON FRONT TIRE, WHEEL BEARINGS LOOSEN, 7 ALTERNATORS FAILED, TRANSMISSION FAILED, GEAR BOX FAILED, BEEN IN SHOP 3 WEEKS, SEEMS SOMETHING FAILS AFTER EACH TIME IN SHOP. BELIEVES VERY POOR QUALITY REGARDING DEALER SHOP PERFORMANCE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10002560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolla, MS
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
EXCESSIVE TIRE TREAD WEAR ON FRONT TIRE, WHEEL BEARINGS LOOSEN, 7 ALTERNATORS FAILED, TRANSMISSION FAILED, GEAR BOX FAILED, BEEN IN SHOP 3 WEEKS, SEEMS SOMETHING FAILS AFTER EACH TIME IN SHOP. BELIEVES VERY POOR QUALITY REGARDING DEALER SHOP PERFORMANCE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10002560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rolla, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
EXCESSIVE TIRE TREAD WEAR ON FRONT TIRE, WHEEL BEARINGS LOOSEN, 7 ALTERNATORS FAILED, TRANSMISSION FAILED, GEAR BOX FAILED, BEEN IN SHOP 3 WEEKS, SEEMS SOMETHING FAILS AFTER EACH TIME IN SHOP. BELIEVES VERY POOR QUALITY REGARDING DEALER SHOP PERFORMANCE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10002560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Paso, TX
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCEING PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR. THE TIRE SHOP WOULD NOT WARRANTY THE TIRES BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE FRONT END ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. AFTER HAVING THE ALIGNMENT SHOP INSPECT VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A STEER TIRE PROBLEM. AN ENGINEER ADVISED CONSUMER TO HAVE THE LEAF SPRING AND SUPPORTS EXTENDED ABOUT A FOOT.
NHTSA complaint #565378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Land Caster, VA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
WHEN TAKING VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP TO CHANGE TIE ROD ENDS TIRE AND WHEEL SIZE, THEY NEVER DID A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THIS CAUSED NEW TIRES TO WEAR OUT SOONER THEN NORMAL. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE NEW TIRES HAD 80000 MILES ON THEM AND WORE THE INSIDES ABOUT 3 INCHES ON BOTH TIRES, ONE TIRE WAS SO BAD THAT CONSUMER GOT NO TRADE ALLOWANCE, THE TIRES THAT WERE ON WHEN RECALL 02V037005 WAS COMPLETED HAD APPROX 125000 MILES AND STILL HAD GOOD TREAD, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE VOLVO HOTLINE THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOOD LATCH WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED. ALL LIGHTS ON TRAILER BLINK WHEN TRUCK IS HOOKED TO TRAILER AND USING TURN SIGNALS OR 4 WAY, ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN WITH THE KEY TURNED OFF. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8013973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Land Caster, VA
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
WHEN TAKING VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP TO CHANGE TIE ROD ENDS TIRE AND WHEEL SIZE, THEY NEVER DID A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THIS CAUSED NEW TIRES TO WEAR OUT SOONER THEN NORMAL. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE NEW TIRES HAD 80000 MILES ON THEM AND WORE THE INSIDES ABOUT 3 INCHES ON BOTH TIRES, ONE TIRE WAS SO BAD THAT CONSUMER GOT NO TRADE ALLOWANCE, THE TIRES THAT WERE ON WHEN RECALL 02V037005 WAS COMPLETED HAD APPROX 125000 MILES AND STILL HAD GOOD TREAD, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE VOLVO HOTLINE THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOOD LATCH WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED. ALL LIGHTS ON TRAILER BLINK WHEN TRUCK IS HOOKED TO TRAILER AND USING TURN SIGNALS OR 4 WAY, ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN WITH THE KEY TURNED OFF. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8013973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Land Caster, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN TAKING VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP TO CHANGE TIE ROD ENDS TIRE AND WHEEL SIZE, THEY NEVER DID A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THIS CAUSED NEW TIRES TO WEAR OUT SOONER THEN NORMAL. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE NEW TIRES HAD 80000 MILES ON THEM AND WORE THE INSIDES ABOUT 3 INCHES ON BOTH TIRES, ONE TIRE WAS SO BAD THAT CONSUMER GOT NO TRADE ALLOWANCE, THE TIRES THAT WERE ON WHEN RECALL 02V037005 WAS COMPLETED HAD APPROX 125000 MILES AND STILL HAD GOOD TREAD, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY THE VOLVO HOTLINE THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOOD LATCH WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, DEALER REMOVED AND REPLACED. ALL LIGHTS ON TRAILER BLINK WHEN TRUCK IS HOOKED TO TRAILER AND USING TURN SIGNALS OR 4 WAY, ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN WITH THE KEY TURNED OFF. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8013973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dresden, TN
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE EATON 13-SPEED TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #565917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dresden, TN
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
VEHICLE'S WINDOW BLEW OUT.
NHTSA complaint #565917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poynette, WI
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATES THE STEERING TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, THE MAJOR PROBLEM IS THE RIGHT STEERING TIRES DUE TO UNEVEN WEAR, THE TRUCK HAS HAD FRONT AND REAR ALIGNMENTS PERFORMED BUT NO PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN FOUND, ALSO THE U-BOLTS BROKE AND VOLVO REPLACED ALL THE BOLTS, ALSO SEVERAL STEERING WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #565894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dresden, TN
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE U-BOLTS, ALSO VOLVO CONTACTED CONSUMER AND SENT 2 NEW TIRES TO SOLVE THE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR PROBLEM, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, IT NOW SHAKES AND WANDERS OVER THE ROAD, SHOCKS NEED REPLACING AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #565917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poynette, WI
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE GLOVE BOX DOOR FELL OFF AND HIT THE CONSUMER IN THE HEAD.
NHTSA complaint #565894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dresden, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASH.
NHTSA complaint #565917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jamestown, MO
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AND THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR RATTLING.
NHTSA complaint #565656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jamestown, MO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE DASH.
NHTSA complaint #565656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jamestown, MO
SUSPENSION
THE AIR RIDE ON THE CAB MAKES IT LEAN TO ONE SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #565656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jamestown, MO
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW AND THE RIGHT SIDE MIRROR RATTLING.
NHTSA complaint #565656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ionia, MI
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHEATING. *TT...
NHTSA complaint #565141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scranton, KSFire
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK BUCKS AND IS HARD TO CONTROL ON CONCRETE. NONE OF THE POWER WINDOW MECHANISMS WORK. A FIRE OCCURRED POSSIBLE WHERE THE REFRIGERATOR WAS PLUGGED IN CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SLEEPER AREA. *TT *NLM
NHTSA complaint #565140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scranton, KSFire
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK BUCKS AND IS HARD TO CONTROL ON CONCRETE. NONE OF THE POWER WINDOW MECHANISMS WORK. A FIRE OCCURRED POSSIBLE WHERE THE REFRIGERATOR WAS PLUGGED IN CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SLEEPER AREA. *TT *NLM
NHTSA complaint #565140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Snydertown, PA
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE U-BOLTS.
NHTSA complaint #565090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Skamania, WA
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATES THE TRUCK IS EXPERIENCING STEER TIRE WEAR, ALSO THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS.
NHTSA complaint #565042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mount Gilead, OH
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER IS HAVING U-BOLT PROBLEMS, ONE ON THE LEFT REAR AXLE WONT STAY TIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #565117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.