1998 Volvo VNM Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Volvo VNM complaints by model year

Owner complaints per model year, Volvo VNM. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Compare all Volvo VNM years →

1998 Volvo VNM recalls (5)

Suspension › Front

NHTSA recall 03V-199 · May 28, 2003 · 433 vehicles

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

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.

Wheels › Rim

NHTSA recall 98V120001 · May 19, 1998 · 3,065 vehicles

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.

Remedy: Accuride/akw will replace these wheels.

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1998 Volvo VNM:

Integral hub and bearing assembly

NHTSA investigation PE02095 · opened Dec 11, 2002 · closed May 30, 2003 · led to recall 03V-199

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…

Frequently asked questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Volvo VNM have?

There are 5 recalls for the 1998 Volvo VNM, 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.

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.