Most common 1998 Volvo VN610 problems
Share of the 59 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo VN610 complaints by model year
Best VN610 years: 2000, 1999. Years to avoid: 1998. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 6 possible defects involving the 1998 Volvo VN610:
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 axle u-bolt
Steering gearbox or u-joint
Sleeper berth fires
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…
Front suspension u-bolts loosen or break
Odi'sinvestigation did not find any evidence that loose or brokenfront suspension u-bolts have caused or contributed to any crashes or near miss events.see the attached engineering analysisreport for full technical details.* 1996/1997 built vehicles are designated by Volvo as 1998 model year.
What 1998 Volvo VN610 owners say
Suspension all 41 →
Tl contact owns a 1998 Volvo VN610. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost steering power. The contact lost control and crashed into a guard rail. The vehicle was towed from the scene. The dealer was notified, but the vehicle was not brought in for inspection. The contact stated that the ball joint that was attached to the drag link fell apart. There were no injuries. The engine size was unknown. The current mileage was 430,000 and failure mileage was 428,000. Updated 10/16/07
Consumer is having problems with head gasket. Other problems are as followed: power steering, the engine stalled due to a loose wire, multiple re-alignments, the u-bolt pops in the front and had broken in the rear, and the steer tire is wearing on the outside.
Steering
Tl contact owns a 1998 Volvo VN610. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost steering power. The contact lost control and crashed into a guard rail. The vehicle was towed from the scene. The dealer was notified, but the vehicle was not brought in for inspection. The contact stated that the ball joint that was attached to the drag link fell apart. There were no injuries. The engine size was unknown. The current mileage was 430,000 and failure mileage was 428,000. Updated 10/16/07
Consumer is having problems with head gasket. Other problems are as followed: power steering, the engine stalled due to a loose wire, multiple re-alignments, the u-bolt pops in the front and had broken in the rear, and the steer tire is wearing on the outside.
Electrical system
Consumer states vehicle is having problems with the wiring harness under the dash, the on board computer read out has faded out twice, the dash lights keep burning out every three months, the day time running light module keeps failing, also the alternator had to be replaced.
Consumer states the lcd graphics display was showing trip miles, mpg, voltmeter, at 98,000 the manufacturer replaced the entire instrument cluster, however at 240,000 consumer had to replace the instrument cluster himself and the manufacturer is offering no solutions.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Volvo VN610 a good car?
Based on 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 VN610 rates avoid: 2.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the VN610 at the same age. It is one of the VN610 years we suggest avoiding. 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 1998 Volvo VN610?
The suspension — 41 complaints, 69% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front › hub. Next are the steering (13) and electrical system (12).
How many recalls does the 1998 Volvo VN610 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 Volvo VN610. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volvo VN610?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2000 and 1999. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1998. See the full Volvo VN610 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Volvo VN610 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 428,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.