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1999 Volvo VN problems

The most common problem on the 1999 Volvo VN is suspension. It has 3.5 times the complaints of a typical VN model year.

Typical year3.5x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
7
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
88
Worst area
Suspension

The worst 1999 Volvo VN problems

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

  • Suspension
    4
  • Steering
    3
  • Transmission
    2
  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Suspension
    4
  • Steering
    3
  • Transmission
    2
  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 5

Steering: linkages: tie rod assemblyReported August 15, 2002 · 19,915 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On some heavy duty class 8 vehicles equipped with arvinmeritor axle assemblies which may have been manufactured with trw model 20edl ball sockets, the tie rod ball-socket bearings have a below specification case depth and/or hardness which can lead to premature wear out of the socket in some applications.
Risk
If this condition occurs, the driver can lose steering control, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ball socket assemblies. This campaign supersedes the federal safety agency campaign nos. 01v‑139.001 and 02v‑037.002. Owner notification began july 25, 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 02V037005 · 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

Steering: linkages: tie rod assemblyReported November 20, 2000 · 13,373 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: heavy duty class 8 vehicles equipped with arvinmeritor axle assemblies which may have been manufactured with trw model 20edl ball sockets. The tie rod ball-socket bearings have a below specification case depth and/or hardness which can lead to premature wear out of the socket in some applications.
Risk
If this condition occurs, the driver can lose steering control, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the ball socket assemblies. The campaign has been superceded by recall no. 02v037002. Owner notification began november 17, 2000. 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 01V139001 · Recall details

Visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC systemReported August 18, 1999 · 352 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with an espar compact heater mounted in the luggage compartment. The fuel-metering pump that supplies fuel to the compact heater is not wired through a rollover protection switch. This does not comply with 49 cfr 393.77, "heaters."
Risk
In the event of a vehicle rollover, and the compact heater was in operation, fuel would still be supplied to the heater creating the potential for a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will wire the fuel-metering pump through a rollover protection switch.

Recall number 99V225000 · Recall details

Service brakes, airReported May 10, 1999 · 285 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with meritor air brake automatic slack adjusters. Some of the automatic slack adjusters had insufficient torque applied to the guide pawl cap screw.
Risk
Without sufficient torque on the guide pawl cap screw, the brakes could gradually lose adjustment, increasing the vehicle stopping distance.
Remedy
Dealers will check the torque on the automatic slack adjuster guide pawl. If there is no torque, the brakes will be adjusted and the guide pawl will be tightened to 15-20 ft. Lbs.

Recall number 99V055004 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 1999 Volvo VN

Defect investigations

Steering bindingOpened June 24, 2004, closed March 31, 2005

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 steering wheel proximate to the tscr.odi simulated various locations and positions that a separated piece of the tscr might become lodged within the steering wheel assembly, but none of these simulations generated any appreciable increase in steering effort.

EA04016

Steering bindingOpened February 5, 2004, closed June 24, 2004

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 appropriate to conduct further investigation(ea level) to better understand the characteristics of tscr failures and to assess the effect, if any, that these types of failures could have on vehicle steering effort.

PE04014

Equipment certification labelOpened May 10, 2001, closed January 23, 2002

There is no summary currently available

DP01006

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

EA01011

Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Volvo VN 88

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

See all 88 bulletins for the 1999 Volvo VN

What 1999 Volvo VN owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 1, 2010 · Suspension, Transmission · MI · fire

1999 volvo vn, destroyed by an axle fire. *bf (ohio traffic crash report # 10-0446-91)*jb updated 09/13/10

Filed Feb 11, 2003 · Steering · WA

The steering shaft sector of the u joint locked up.

Filed Jun 6, 2002 · Engine, Steering · DE

The vehicle jumped railing and the consumer lost all steering resulting in damage to the truck.

Filed Aug 15, 2001 · Electrical, Steering · MO

Vehicle,(vn700 series), is experiencing problems with the wiring harness under dash. Also, consumer started out replacing the u bolts, front shocks, tires, drag arm, and leaf springs. There has been excessive tire wear which cause a vibration resulting in numbness of consumers arms and hands. The vehicle is hard to steer, leans to one side and does not level out.

Filed Apr 1, 2001 · Visibility · WV · fire

Accessory panel of cab,located in sleeper compartment caught fire.

Filed Feb 4, 2000 · Suspension · VA

About 60k miles or so I started to notice a very minor vibration that continued to get worse. Tire wear was showing perfect bridgestone r227's front and r726 rear. It continued to gradually get worse tires still looking fine.

Filed Aug 10, 1999 · Transmission · NY

Slave cylinder for hydralic clutch failed loosing the fluid and use of the clutch

Compare the 1999 Volvo VN

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Questions about the 1999 Volvo VN

Is the 1999 Volvo VN reliable?

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 1999 Volvo VN, 3.5 times a typical VN model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1999 Volvo VN?

Suspension, with 4 complaints. Next is steering (3).

How many recalls does the 1999 Volvo VN have?

5 recalls, covering steering, equipment and visibility.

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