The worst 1998 Volvo VNM problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Recalls 5
Suspension: front
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with truck hub units manufactured by skf exclusively for use on arvinmeritor's ff98x series non-drive steer axles, the hub unit bearings can wear prematurely.
- Risk
- Seizure of the bearings can cause wheel separation or wheel end fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace all front axle hubs. An interim notice to owners was mailed on june 25, 2003. Final owner notification began on october 6, 2003. 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 at 1‑800‑528‑6586.
Recall number 03V199000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: tail lights: switch
- What is wrong
- Certain heavy duty class 8 trucks fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." the two tail lamps, back-up lamp,and license tag lamp were mounted on insufficiently rigid mounts.
- Risk
- It may not allow the driver of a rearward approaching vehicle to have full view of the lamps.
- Remedy
- Dealers will attach the two tail lamps, back-up lamp, and the license tap lamp on stiffer brackets. Owner notification began october 31, 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 02V238000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: antilock
- What is wrong
- Certain heavy duty class 8 vehicles fail to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 121, "air brake systems", s5.1.6.3, "antilock power for towed vehicles." electrical power for the trailer anti-lock braking system (ABS) can be disrupted when a switch located on the vehicle instrument panel is activated to control lighting within the trailer.
- Risk
- If this condition occurs, the driver can lose of the towed vehicle, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a wiring harness which will provide continuous electrical power to the trailer ABS whenever the ignition switch is in the on or run position. Owner notification began april 29, 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 02V110000 · Recall details
Service brakes, air: antilock
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks built with bendix air ABS with an ec-17 1030r electronic control unit (ecu), there have been reports of unwanted ABS activation at low speeds caused by 1) chafed ABS wheel speed sensor wires on rotating parts or 2) a damaged component at the wheel end that generates a certain type of erratic sensor signal.
- Risk
- This condition could cause the ABS ecu to exhaust the air at the air brake modulators for one or more of the wheels. This could result in extended braking distances and a possible crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ABS ecu.
Recall number 00V232003 · Recall details
Wheels: rim
- 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
See all 5 recalls for the 1998 Volvo VNM
Defect investigations
Integral hub and bearing assembly
The companies involved in this matter are: skf (hub mfr), arvinmeritor (front axle mfr), and volvo (manufacturer of class viii tractor/trucks).skf identified manufacturing defects for specific build dates on front axle hub and bearings (wheel bearings) supplied to arvinmeritor.as a result, arvinmeritor notified volvo of axles supplied with possible defective front hub assemblies.as a result of that notification, 433 trucks are being recalled by volvo for defective front axle wheel bearings which may fail in such a way that a wheel separation or wheel bearing fire occurs.see attached summary report for additional details.
PE02095
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Volvo VNM 51
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Warranty Automated Manual Transmission ( AMT, I-Shift, mDrive ) Control Housing Assembly; Guidelines For...
- (Back Office)
- DTC U012100
- Programming Failure
- AMT Control Housing Bench Testing
- Volvo Chassis
- Volvo Chassis
- Unable To Retrieve "On Request" Messages For PeopleNet Or Omnitracs Modules Installed On The DL5 Data...
- Temperature Sensor Troubleshooting Guide
- DEF Pump Troubleshooting Guide
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Questions about the 1998 Volvo VNM
Is the 1998 Volvo VNM reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 1998 Volvo VNM.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Volvo VNM?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 1998 Volvo VNM have?
5 recalls, covering suspension, exterior lighting and service brakes, air.
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