Most common 1999 Volvo VN problems
Share of the 9 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo VN complaints by model year
Best VN years: 2011, 2012, 2016. Compare all years →
1999 Volvo VN recalls (5)
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ball socket assemblies. This campaign supersedes NHTSA campaign nos. 01v-139.001 and 02v-037.002. Owner notification began July 25, 2002.
Equipment › Other › Labels
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.
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,…
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ball socket assemblies. The campaign has been superceded by recall no. 02V037002. Owner notification began November 17, 2000.
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/HVAC system
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."
Remedy: Dealers will wire the fuel-metering pump through a rollover protection switch.
Service brakes, air
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 1999 Volvo VN:
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…
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…
U-bolt failures on drive -axle assemblie
Equipment certification label
There is no summary currently available
What 1999 Volvo VN owners say
Suspension
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.
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.
Steering
Consumer stated the seat valve, brake light switch, cab motor blower and steering column were replaced.
The vehicle jumped railing and the consumer lost all steering resulting in damage to the truck.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Volvo VN a good car?
Based on 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 VN rates average: 3.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the VN at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 Volvo VN?
The suspension — 5 complaints, 56% of all complaints for this model year, most often about multiple axle. Next are the steering (4) and transmission & drivetrain (2).
How many recalls does the 1999 Volvo VN have?
There are 5 recalls for the 1999 Volvo VN, the most recent from August 15, 2002 (tie rod assembly). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volvo VN?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2012 and 2016. See the full Volvo VN years comparison.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.