1999 Volvo VN

Routine

Owners filed 9 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the equipment. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Suspension2
000
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Windshield › Electrical Heating Element1
010
Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector1
000
Steering1
000
Power Train › Clutch Assembly1
000
Power Train › Axle Assembly1
010
Fuel System, Gasoline1
000
Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash1
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly02V037005
Filed Aug 15, 200219,915 vehiclesVolvo Trucks North America Inc

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Equipment › Other › Labels01V093000
Filed Mar 22, 20011,577 vehiclesVolvo Trucks North America Inc

Defect. 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. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS," DOES NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE ACTUAL FRONT GROSS AXLE WEIGHT.

Risk. WHEN OPERATING THE TRUCK "BOBTAIL" WITH FULL FUEL TANKS AND TWO OCCUPANTS WITH AN ALLOWANCE FOR PERSONAL BELONGINGS, THE ACTUAL GROSS AXLE WEIGHT MAY EXCEED THE STATED RATING FOUND ON THE WEIGHT CERTIFICATION LABEL.

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, RIMS OR TIE ROD TUBE OR A COMBINATION THEREOF; OR (3) REPLACEMENT OR RELOCATION OF THE FUEL TANKS. DUE TO THE VARIOUS TRUCK CONFIGURATIONS, SEVERAL OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTERS ARE BEING SENT FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. THE FIRST OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS MAILED APRIL 26, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY OR LABEL WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly01V139001
Filed Nov 20, 200013,373 vehiclesVolvo Trucks North America Inc

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLIES. THE CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY RECALL NO. 02V037002. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 17, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System99V225000
Filed Aug 18, 1999352 vehiclesVolvo Trucks North America Inc

Defect. 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."

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ROLLOVER, AND THE COMPACT HEATER WAS IN OPERATION, FUEL WOULD STILL BE SUPPLIED TO THE HEATER CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL WIRE THE FUEL-METERING PUMP THROUGH A ROLLOVER PROTECTION SWITCH.

Service Brakes, Air99V055004
Filed May 10, 1999285 vehiclesVolvo Trucks North America Inc

Defect. 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.

Risk. WITHOUT SUFFICIENT TORQUE ON THE GUIDE PAWL CAP SCREW, THE BRAKES COULD GRADUALLY LOSE ADJUSTMENT, INCREASING THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train › Axle AssemblyFire
Filed Sep 1, 2010MI

1999 VOLVO VN, DESTROYED BY AN AXLE FIRE. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0446-91)*JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF

Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector
Filed Feb 11, 2003WA

THE STEERING SHAFT SECTOR OF THE U JOINT LOCKED UP.*JB

Steering
Filed Jun 6, 2002DE

THE VEHICLE JUMPED RAILING AND THE CONSUMER LOST ALL STEERING RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK. *YH

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 18, 2002UT

CONSUMER STATED SIGNAL, FOOT VALVE, HOOD LATCH RELEASE HANDLE, HOOD SHOCK,AIR RIDE VALVE, FUEL GAUGE SENSOR WERE ALL REPLACED.*JB

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Aug 15, 2001MO

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. *JG

Suspension
Filed Aug 15, 2001NY

THIS IS THE CONSUMERS FATHERS VEHICLE, THIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCES FRONT TIRE PROBLEMS AND THE SUSPENSION BOLTS SHEARED OFF, [email protected]. *SLC

Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System › Windshield › Electrical Heating ElementFire
Filed Apr 1, 2001WV

ACCESSORY PANEL OF CAB,LOCATED IN SLEEPER COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. *JB

Suspension
Filed Feb 4, 2000VA

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.

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 10, 1999NY

SLAVE CYLINDER FOR HYDRALIC CLUTCH FAILED LOOSING THE FLUID AND USE OF THE CLUTCH

9 of 9 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20270100Do not drive
20260300Do not drive
20250800Do not drive
20241700Routine
20230900Routine
20220600Routine
20213200Routine
20205200Routine
20190100Routine
20182000Routine
20160200Routine
20150100Routine
20142110Routine
20131200Routine
20122200Routine
20110200Routine
20100400Routine
20090400Routine
20082200Routine
20073300Routine
20062410Routine
20052200Routine
20041400Routine
20033400Routine
20020500Routine
20011200Routine
20005200Routine
1999 — this page9520Routine
19989610Routine
19970900Routine
19962100Routine

Compare every VN year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 15, 2002. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.