1997 Volvo VNL Problems & Complaints

Average71% fewer complaints than a typical year of the VNL at the same age

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1997 Volvo VNL yet, but there are 4 recalls. 4 recalls cover this model year.

0complaints
4recalls
0crashes
0fires
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Volvo VNL complaints by model year

’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26’278111011256715324578512842224
Owner complaints per model year, Volvo VNL. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best VNL years: 2017, 2020, 2021. Years to avoid: 2016, 2007. Compare all years →

1997 Volvo VNL recalls (4)

Exterior lighting › Tail lights › Switch

NHTSA recall 02V-238 · Sep 9, 2002 · 5,532 vehicles

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.

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.

Service brakes, air › Antilock

NHTSA recall 02V-110 · Apr 11, 2002 · 208 vehicles

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…

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.

Service brakes, air › Antilock

NHTSA recall 00V232003 · Aug 22, 2000 · 18,362 vehicles

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…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS ECU.

Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing

NHTSA recall 97V-212 · Nov 17, 1997 · 923 vehicles

Vehicle description: class 8 heavy duty trucks. The steer axle wheel bearing jam nut lock washer May not have been bent over the jam nut after the wheel bearings were adjusted.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering axle wheel bearing jam nut lock washer to determine if it is bent over the jam nut, and if not, repair as required.

Frequently asked questions

How many recalls does the 1997 Volvo VNL have?

There are 4 recalls for the 1997 Volvo VNL, the most recent from September 9, 2002 (switch). 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 VNL?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2020 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016 and 2007. See the full Volvo VNL 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.