1997 Volvo VN Problems: 0 Complaints, 9 Recalls

The worst 1997 Volvo VN problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

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Recalls 9

Equipment: other: labelsReported November 15, 2002 · 91 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Certain heavy duty class 8 trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars." the weight certification label which contains front gross axle weight rating (gawr) information does not accurately reflect the actual front gross axle weight.
Risk: When operating bobtail with full fuel tanks and two occupants with an allowance for personal belongings, the actual gross axle weight may exceed the stated rating found on the weight certification label.
Remedy: Dealers will install new front steer axle tires and new certification label stating the new front steer axle weight rating. Owner notification began december 19, 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.

Recall number 02V310000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported March 22, 2001 · 1,577 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: heavy duty class 8 vehicles. Under certain operating conditions, the weight certification label which contains front gross axle weight rating (gawr) information pursuant to the requirements of fmvss no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars," does not accurately reflect the actual front gross axle weight.
Risk: When operating the truck "bobtail" with full fuel tanks and two occupants with an allowance for personal belongings, the actual gross axle weight may exceed the stated rating found on the weight certification label.
Remedy: The weight certification label will be brought into compliance by one or more of the following means: (1) replacement of the label with one which contains correct information; or (2) replacement of front axle tires, rims or tie rod tube or a combination thereof; or (3) replacement or relocation of the fuel tanks. Due to the various truck configurations, several owner notification letters are being sent for this campaign. The first owner notification letter was mailed april 26, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy or label within a reasonable time should contact volvo trucks at 1‑800‑528‑6586.

Recall number 01V093000 · Recall details

Parking brakeReported February 24, 2000 · 13,516 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with haldex manifold dash valves (mdv) used in tractor and trailer parking brakes. These valves do not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 121, "air brake systems." a loss of the isolation of the two brake system circuits can result in the loss of service brakes when there is another failure of one of the two brake circuits.
Risk: The loss of service brakes can occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the suspect valves.

Recall number 00V002002 · Recall details

Steering: linkagesReported November 17, 1998 · 25 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with a fal 8.0 front steer axle. The upper steering arm can fail without warning.
Risk: This condition can result in the loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the upper steering arm and replace it, if required.

Recall number 98V297000 · Recall details

Wheels: rimReported May 19, 1998 · 3,065 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with aftermarket aluminum dual wheels, 22.5x8.25, one-piece, tubeless, supplied by accuride/akw. Certain design revisions combined with process conditions caused fatigue cracks in these wheels.
Risk: This condition can cause failure of these wheels.
Remedy: Accuride/akw will replace these wheels.

Recall number 98V120001 · Recall details

Exterior lightingReported May 4, 1998 · 2,329 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: class 8 heavy duty trucks. The electronic module that controls the daytime running lights (drl) and headlights can fail without warning resulting in the loss of the drl and headlight functions.
Risk: If these lights fail, a visibility problem would occur increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the drl control module.

Recall number 98V092000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipReported August 18, 1997 · 278 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: class 8 heavy duty trucks. A wire that connects the engine control module (ecu) to the automatic braking control system (ABS) controller is missing. The engine brake can lock up the rear axle wheels on a slick pavement, and the ABS would not prevent the lock up.
Risk: If the wheels locked up, the potential for a vehicle crash could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will install the missing wiring circuit on the ABS brakes.

Recall number 97V127000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motorReported August 4, 1997 · 3,272 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks. The relay that controls the electrical power to the windshield wiper motor can fail.
Risk: If the windshield wipers fail, the driver's visibility in wet weather will be reduced increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the suspect relays.

Recall number 97V121000 · Recall details

Power train: manual transmission: column shift assemblyReported March 3, 1997 · 1,035 vehicles affected

What is wrong: The transmission shift control lever can break off at the transmission.
Risk: If the shift lever fails, the transmission cannot be shifted and the vehicle can become a hazard or obstruction to other drivers.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these transmission shift control levers with new control levers.

Recall number 97V033000 · Recall details

See all 9 recalls for the 1997 Volvo VN

Defect investigations

U-bolt failures on drive -axle assemblieOpened April 18, 2001, closed July 30, 2002

EA01011

Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Volvo VN 85

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

Apr 12, 2023 Service bulletinCBR: Volvo Chassis
Jun 21, 2022 Service bulletinWarranty Automated Manual Transmission ( AMT, I-Shift, mDrive ) Control Housing Assembly; Guidelines For...
Jun 21, 2022 Service bulletin(Back Office)
Jun 21, 2022 Service bulletinDTC U012100
Jun 21, 2022 Service bulletinProgramming Failure
Jun 17, 2022 Service bulletinAMT Control Housing Bench Testing
Jun 15, 2022 Service bulletinVolvo Chassis
Jun 7, 2022 Service bulletinVolvo Chassis
Jun 6, 2022 Service bulletinUnable To Retrieve "On Request" Messages For PeopleNet Or Omnitracs Modules Installed On The DL5 Data...
Jun 3, 2022 Service bulletinTemperature Sensor Troubleshooting Guide

See all 85 bulletins for the 1997 Volvo VN

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Questions about the 1997 Volvo VN

Is the 1997 Volvo VN reliable?

Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 1997 Volvo VN.

What is the most common problem with the 1997 Volvo VN?

There are not enough complaints to tell.

How many recalls does the 1997 Volvo VN have?

9 recalls, covering equipment, parking brake and steering.

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1997 Volvo VN problems