Most common 1998 Volvo VNL problems
Share of the 8 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo VNL complaints by model year
Best VNL years: 2017, 2020, 2021. Years to avoid: 2016, 2007. Compare all years →
1998 Volvo VNL recalls (5)
Suspension › Front
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Tail lights › Switch
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
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
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.
Tires › Bead
Vehicle description: heavy duty trucks equipped with continental general s380a 295/75r22.5 lr g tires, serial nos. A3371e5488 through a3371e5089. These tires have been overcured.
Remedy: Continental general is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. Dealers will exchange the tire for an identical or reasonably equivalent tire.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 1998 Volvo VNL:
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…
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…
Drag Link Failure
EA09-003 is closed with the submission of Volvo's recall 10V-282 recalling approximately 111,034 Model Year (MY) 1998 through 2005 VN and VNL class 8 trucks.Volvo announced recall 10V-282 in response to NHTSA's recall request letter dated June 3, 2010 (available at NHTSA's web site www.safercar.gov).
What 1998 Volvo VNL owners say
Suspension
Front end vibrates at any speed. Cause is unknown, also it wears on the tires by dipping on the sides. Took vehicle to dealer and dealer can't duplicate the problem.
Premature wear from steer tires resulting from improper combination of race/bearings in meritor axles. Lost wheel assembly.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Volvo VNL a good car?
Based on 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 VNL rates average: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the VNL 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 1998 Volvo VNL?
The suspension — 7 complaints, 88% of all complaints for this model year, most often about front › hub. Next is the steering (1).
How many recalls does the 1998 Volvo VNL have?
There are 5 recalls for the 1998 Volvo VNL, the most recent from May 28, 2003 (front). 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.
At what mileage do 1998 Volvo VNL problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 400,000 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.