Owners have filed 22 complaints
about the 1998 Volvo Volvo Truck with NHTSA between 2000 and 2003.
The largest single group is the suspension.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 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 — 65
Against the median year of the Volvo Volvo Truck. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% 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.
How 1998 compares with every other Volvo Volvo Truck
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 Volvo Volvo Truck
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Suspension
836.4%
Median failure at 65,000 miles
Brakes
313.6%
Electrical System
313.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain
313.6%
Other & Unspecified
14.5%
Doors, Latches & Locks
14.5%
Tires
14.5%
Fuel & Propulsion
14.5%
Body & Structure
14.5%
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.
Feb 2000peak 11Feb 2003
NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Volvo Volvo Truck
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...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 65,000 milesSchenevus, NY
SUSPENSION
THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE STEER TIRE WEAR. SCC
NHTSA complaint #565061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakeville, MI
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.
NHTSA complaint #565897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kansas City, MO
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HOOD WAS NOT ADJUSTED PROPERLY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, CAUSING IT TO POP OPEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, CONSUMER ALSO STATES THAT THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OPENING THE HOOD, MODEL IS A VN64T610. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #735107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Williamsport, OH
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1998 VNL 64T MODEL - TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #565166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sheboygan, WI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER STATES DASHBOARD SHORTS OUT GAUGES LIKE THE FUEL GAUGE, VNL610.
NHTSA complaint #565626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aliquippa, PA
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.
NHTSA complaint #565602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Paso, TX
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATED THE U-BOLTS BROKE CAUSING THE STEERING TO GO BAD.(VOLVO TRUCK 610)
NHTSA complaint #565165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orient, OH
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH PREMATURE STEERING TIRE WEAR, TRACKER IS ALIGNED EVERY 6 MONTHS AND TIRES ARE BALANCED EVERY 3 MONTHS. *TT ALSO THERE IS A SHORT SOMEWHERE ALLOWING FOR PROBLEMS WITHT HE DASH AND THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS.
NHTSA complaint #565014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sheboygan, WI
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATES NOSE IS HEAVY WITH BOX.
NHTSA complaint #565626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springdale, AR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE DASH.
NHTSA complaint #565137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marshfield, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE TRUCK WAS OVERWEIGHT ON THE FRONT AXLE, CONSUMER MOVED TANKS AND FIFTH WHEEL BACK. (VEHICLE MODEL: BROOKS AND DUNN) *JG. ALSO THE TRUCK EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #565157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orient, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH PREMATURE STEERING TIRE WEAR, TRACKER IS ALIGNED EVERY 6 MONTHS AND TIRES ARE BALANCED EVERY 3 MONTHS. *TT ALSO THERE IS A SHORT SOMEWHERE ALLOWING FOR PROBLEMS WITHT HE DASH AND THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS.
NHTSA complaint #565014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sheboygan, WI
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A CLUNK IN THE FRONT AXLE WHEN BRAKING, VNL610.
NHTSA complaint #565626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marshfield, MO
STRUCTURE
THE TRUCK WAS OVERWEIGHT ON THE FRONT AXLE, CONSUMER MOVED TANKS AND FIFTH WHEEL BACK. (VEHICLE MODEL: BROOKS AND DUNN) *JG. ALSO THE TRUCK EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #565157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Paso, TX
SUSPENSION
CONSUMER STATED THE U-BOLTS BROKE CAUSING THE STEERING TO GO BAD.(VOLVO TRUCK 610)
NHTSA complaint #565165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunnyvale, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE S CONSTANTLY OVERWEIGHT ON THE FRONT AXLE WHEN FUELED. THIS CONDITION EXISTS WITHOUT BEING HOOKED UP TO A TRAILER. VOLVO TRUCKS MAKES IT VERY HARD TO HELP A SMALL OWNER OPERATOR LIKE MYSELF. THE FRONT TIRE WEAR IS NOT THE BEST EITHER. [XXX] HAS HELPED US A LOT. THE FUEL TANKS NEED TO MOVED TO THE REAR. THE FRONT SPRINGS ARE SHOWING ABNORMAL WEAR PATTERN. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION SEVERAL TIMES DURING NORMAL WARRANTY WORK. ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL.THIS VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED WITH DUAL 150 GALLONS AN D HAS ALL THE APPLICABLE STICKERS MEETING VARIOUS SAFETY STANDARDS. THIS VEHICLE HAS HARD TIME GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH A FULL LOAD OF FUEL LEGALLY. THE FRONT AXLE WEIGHT LIMIT BEING OF 12000LBS IN MOST STATES WITH NORMAL ROAD TIRES , THIS IS WITH NORMAL 14PLY TIRES WHICH ARE STANDARD OEM SUPPLY. VOLVO HAS THOUGHT OF THIS SITUATION BUT NOT A [XXX] OF A LOT HAS BEEN DONE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE BIG MANUFACTURERS GO AFTER THE BIG FLEET OWNERS KNOWING WELL THAT US SMALL-FRY WHEN WE GET P-O AFTER THEIR LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE WILL EJECT FROM THEIR AND PURCHASE SOMETHING ELSE AND TAKE IT IN THE SHORTS WITH THE TRADE IN. ALL OH THIS DOES NOT DO ANYTHING FOR THE SAFETY OF [XXX] PUBLIC WHO THINKS THAT THESE BEHEMOTHS THAT HE HAS TO SHARE THE ROAD WITH ARE DANGEROUS. I HAVE BEEN OWNING AND OPERATING THIS TYPE OF EQUIPMENT FOR 30YRS NOW AND GOT A GOOD IDEA ABOUT DOING IT (FINALLY ?) I WISH TO THINK THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO HELP. THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS OF THESE VOLVOS THAT ARE IN THE SAME BOAT. VOLVO ISN'T SELLING TO WELL LATELY. THE FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM WON'T BE CHEAP EITHER. SOME RECOGNITION FROM THE MANUFACTURER WOULD BE HELPFUL OTHER THAN A NEW STICKER ON THE CHASIS...THANK YOU VERY MUCH , SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS
NHTSA complaint #745279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunnyvale, CA
TIRES
VEHICLE S CONSTANTLY OVERWEIGHT ON THE FRONT AXLE WHEN FUELED. THIS CONDITION EXISTS WITHOUT BEING HOOKED UP TO A TRAILER. VOLVO TRUCKS MAKES IT VERY HARD TO HELP A SMALL OWNER OPERATOR LIKE MYSELF. THE FRONT TIRE WEAR IS NOT THE BEST EITHER. [XXX] HAS HELPED US A LOT. THE FUEL TANKS NEED TO MOVED TO THE REAR. THE FRONT SPRINGS ARE SHOWING ABNORMAL WEAR PATTERN. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION SEVERAL TIMES DURING NORMAL WARRANTY WORK. ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL.THIS VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED WITH DUAL 150 GALLONS AN D HAS ALL THE APPLICABLE STICKERS MEETING VARIOUS SAFETY STANDARDS. THIS VEHICLE HAS HARD TIME GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH A FULL LOAD OF FUEL LEGALLY. THE FRONT AXLE WEIGHT LIMIT BEING OF 12000LBS IN MOST STATES WITH NORMAL ROAD TIRES , THIS IS WITH NORMAL 14PLY TIRES WHICH ARE STANDARD OEM SUPPLY. VOLVO HAS THOUGHT OF THIS SITUATION BUT NOT A [XXX] OF A LOT HAS BEEN DONE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE BIG MANUFACTURERS GO AFTER THE BIG FLEET OWNERS KNOWING WELL THAT US SMALL-FRY WHEN WE GET P-O AFTER THEIR LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE WILL EJECT FROM THEIR AND PURCHASE SOMETHING ELSE AND TAKE IT IN THE SHORTS WITH THE TRADE IN. ALL OH THIS DOES NOT DO ANYTHING FOR THE SAFETY OF [XXX] PUBLIC WHO THINKS THAT THESE BEHEMOTHS THAT HE HAS TO SHARE THE ROAD WITH ARE DANGEROUS. I HAVE BEEN OWNING AND OPERATING THIS TYPE OF EQUIPMENT FOR 30YRS NOW AND GOT A GOOD IDEA ABOUT DOING IT (FINALLY ?) I WISH TO THINK THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO HELP. THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS OF THESE VOLVOS THAT ARE IN THE SAME BOAT. VOLVO ISN'T SELLING TO WELL LATELY. THE FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM WON'T BE CHEAP EITHER. SOME RECOGNITION FROM THE MANUFACTURER WOULD BE HELPFUL OTHER THAN A NEW STICKER ON THE CHASIS...THANK YOU VERY MUCH , SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS
NHTSA complaint #745279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunnyvale, CA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
VEHICLE S CONSTANTLY OVERWEIGHT ON THE FRONT AXLE WHEN FUELED. THIS CONDITION EXISTS WITHOUT BEING HOOKED UP TO A TRAILER. VOLVO TRUCKS MAKES IT VERY HARD TO HELP A SMALL OWNER OPERATOR LIKE MYSELF. THE FRONT TIRE WEAR IS NOT THE BEST EITHER. [XXX] HAS HELPED US A LOT. THE FUEL TANKS NEED TO MOVED TO THE REAR. THE FRONT SPRINGS ARE SHOWING ABNORMAL WEAR PATTERN. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION SEVERAL TIMES DURING NORMAL WARRANTY WORK. ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL.THIS VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED WITH DUAL 150 GALLONS AN D HAS ALL THE APPLICABLE STICKERS MEETING VARIOUS SAFETY STANDARDS. THIS VEHICLE HAS HARD TIME GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH A FULL LOAD OF FUEL LEGALLY. THE FRONT AXLE WEIGHT LIMIT BEING OF 12000LBS IN MOST STATES WITH NORMAL ROAD TIRES , THIS IS WITH NORMAL 14PLY TIRES WHICH ARE STANDARD OEM SUPPLY. VOLVO HAS THOUGHT OF THIS SITUATION BUT NOT A [XXX] OF A LOT HAS BEEN DONE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE BIG MANUFACTURERS GO AFTER THE BIG FLEET OWNERS KNOWING WELL THAT US SMALL-FRY WHEN WE GET P-O AFTER THEIR LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE WILL EJECT FROM THEIR AND PURCHASE SOMETHING ELSE AND TAKE IT IN THE SHORTS WITH THE TRADE IN. ALL OH THIS DOES NOT DO ANYTHING FOR THE SAFETY OF [XXX] PUBLIC WHO THINKS THAT THESE BEHEMOTHS THAT HE HAS TO SHARE THE ROAD WITH ARE DANGEROUS. I HAVE BEEN OWNING AND OPERATING THIS TYPE OF EQUIPMENT FOR 30YRS NOW AND GOT A GOOD IDEA ABOUT DOING IT (FINALLY ?) I WISH TO THINK THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO HELP. THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS OF THESE VOLVOS THAT ARE IN THE SAME BOAT. VOLVO ISN'T SELLING TO WELL LATELY. THE FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM WON'T BE CHEAP EITHER. SOME RECOGNITION FROM THE MANUFACTURER WOULD BE HELPFUL OTHER THAN A NEW STICKER ON THE CHASIS...THANK YOU VERY MUCH , SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS
NHTSA complaint #745279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunnyvale, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
VEHICLE S CONSTANTLY OVERWEIGHT ON THE FRONT AXLE WHEN FUELED. THIS CONDITION EXISTS WITHOUT BEING HOOKED UP TO A TRAILER. VOLVO TRUCKS MAKES IT VERY HARD TO HELP A SMALL OWNER OPERATOR LIKE MYSELF. THE FRONT TIRE WEAR IS NOT THE BEST EITHER. [XXX] HAS HELPED US A LOT. THE FUEL TANKS NEED TO MOVED TO THE REAR. THE FRONT SPRINGS ARE SHOWING ABNORMAL WEAR PATTERN. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION SEVERAL TIMES DURING NORMAL WARRANTY WORK. ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL.THIS VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED WITH DUAL 150 GALLONS AN D HAS ALL THE APPLICABLE STICKERS MEETING VARIOUS SAFETY STANDARDS. THIS VEHICLE HAS HARD TIME GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH A FULL LOAD OF FUEL LEGALLY. THE FRONT AXLE WEIGHT LIMIT BEING OF 12000LBS IN MOST STATES WITH NORMAL ROAD TIRES , THIS IS WITH NORMAL 14PLY TIRES WHICH ARE STANDARD OEM SUPPLY. VOLVO HAS THOUGHT OF THIS SITUATION BUT NOT A [XXX] OF A LOT HAS BEEN DONE TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. THE BIG MANUFACTURERS GO AFTER THE BIG FLEET OWNERS KNOWING WELL THAT US SMALL-FRY WHEN WE GET P-O AFTER THEIR LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCE WILL EJECT FROM THEIR AND PURCHASE SOMETHING ELSE AND TAKE IT IN THE SHORTS WITH THE TRADE IN. ALL OH THIS DOES NOT DO ANYTHING FOR THE SAFETY OF [XXX] PUBLIC WHO THINKS THAT THESE BEHEMOTHS THAT HE HAS TO SHARE THE ROAD WITH ARE DANGEROUS. I HAVE BEEN OWNING AND OPERATING THIS TYPE OF EQUIPMENT FOR 30YRS NOW AND GOT A GOOD IDEA ABOUT DOING IT (FINALLY ?) I WISH TO THINK THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO HELP. THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS OF THESE VOLVOS THAT ARE IN THE SAME BOAT. VOLVO ISN'T SELLING TO WELL LATELY. THE FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM WON'T BE CHEAP EITHER. SOME RECOGNITION FROM THE MANUFACTURER WOULD BE HELPFUL OTHER THAN A NEW STICKER ON THE CHASIS...THANK YOU VERY MUCH , SINCERELY [XXX]. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS
NHTSA complaint #745279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wrightsvil, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
CONSUMER HAS A FLEET OF 28 VOLVO TRUCKS THAT CAN NOT OBTAIN RECALL REPAIRS DUE TO LACK OF PARTS (99V-240). *MJS
NHTSA complaint #552679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Pond, PA
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
A 12LB AXLE WAS PLACED ON THE FRONT END OF VOLVO TRUCK. SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING NEAR THE WHEEL AREA. THIS CAUSED THE WHEEL BEARINGS TO MELT ONTO THE HUB. TOOK TRUCK TO PETERBILT DEALERSHIP TO CHECK AIR BRAKES. MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER PROBLEM NOT BRAKES, BUT THE AXLE. BRAKES & AXLE NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO SIZE OF AXLE.
NHTSA complaint #856942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Pond, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
A 12LB AXLE WAS PLACED ON THE FRONT END OF VOLVO TRUCK. SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING NEAR THE WHEEL AREA. THIS CAUSED THE WHEEL BEARINGS TO MELT ONTO THE HUB. TOOK TRUCK TO PETERBILT DEALERSHIP TO CHECK AIR BRAKES. MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER PROBLEM NOT BRAKES, BUT THE AXLE. BRAKES & AXLE NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO SIZE OF AXLE.
NHTSA complaint #856942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.