1998 Volvo VN610 Problems
- Complaints
- 59filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 110,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Volvo VN610 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
What owners report
Complaints on this model year concentrate on the front end: vibration through the chassis, uneven and rapid steer-tire wear, and steering problems including hard steering and loss of assist. Many reports come from heavily loaded trucks where owners describe front-axle weight as an ongoing concern. Electrical complaints — dash wiring, gauge clusters, lights — are the other recurring theme.
- Suspension
Front-end vibration and rapid steer-tire wear
- 27 complaints (46%)
- median 110,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- filed 1999–2002
Complaints describe a persistent vibration felt through the whole truck while driving, along with steer tires wearing quickly or unevenly on the outer edge. Owners report repeated alignments, balances and tire replacements that did not resolve it, and in some cases adding equal to the front tires reduced the vibration. Several link the problem to front-axle weight, describing higher wear beginning in the tens of thousands of miles and one dealer replacing front springs with heavier ones and adjusting ride height. Reports cluster between roughly 50,000 and 160,000 miles, often on trucks described as running heavy on the front axle.
What to check: Have a shop check front-axle loading, spring and shackle condition, and tire wear patterns before buying; ask for alignment and balance records and whether steering-axle tires have been replaced early.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #565156, filed 2001-08, 110,000 miles“The weight of the truck caused many problems, Volvo replaced the front springs with heavier ones, the ride height and rear end pitch was adjusted several times, the air rod and air ride valve were replaced, rear axle was aligned, vehicle experienced high tire wear, vibration continued to occur after several attempts to remedy the problem, vehicle was eventually turned back in.”
NHTSA complaint #564875, filed 2002-04 - Electrical system
Dash wiring, gauge cluster and light failures
- 7 complaints (12%)
- typically at 3.9 yrs old
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2001–2002
Owners describe wiring harness problems under the dash, with wires shorting out and dash lights going out. Reports mention gauge readouts fading or failing and being replaced more than once, several gauge arrays without illumination, dash lights burning out every few months, daytime running light modules failing, and an alternator replacement. Some complaints also describe gauges and lights operating erratically. Most complaints do not state mileage; one describes a cluster replaced around 98,000 miles and again by the owner around 240,000 miles.
What to check: On a test drive, confirm all gauges, dash illumination and exterior lights work, and ask whether the instrument cluster or harness has been replaced or repaired.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #565077, filed 2001-08“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.”
NHTSA complaint #565370, filed 2002-06 - Steering
Steering hard to turn, sticking, or assist lost
- 5 complaints (8%)
- typically at 3.9 yrs old
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2001–2007
Complaints describe the steering becoming hard or sticking, particularly once the truck is warm, with the power steering pump reported to have no flow at times and replaced by the dealer. Other reports describe the power steering box seal failing and the steering locking up, and one describes a ball joint on the drag link coming apart, with loss of steering power while driving. Some owners also mention grinding or screeching noises that were traced to front-end bearings. Reported from roughly 100,000 miles upward, including one at about 428,000 miles, with several complaints not stating mileage.
What to check: Ask when the power steering pump, gear box and drag link were last inspected, and have the drag link, ball joints and pump flow checked on a test drive with the truck fully warmed up.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While driving, steering wheel locked up, causing loss of control and an accident, consumer stated that the steering locked like when having a flat tire, consumer was injured after repairs, consumer drove vehicle when the steering locked again, the heat vent for the dash was found stuck in the steering wheel column, however consumer was informed this was caused from the accident.”
NHTSA complaint #565375, filed 2002-06“The 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”
NHTSA complaint #10199493, filed 2007-08
Buying note. These trucks are often worked hard, so front-end condition matters more than odometer alone: budget for a suspension and steering inspection, and check tire wear, U-bolts and drag link before committing. Also verify that all dash gauges and lights work, since electrical repairs on this model year recur in the complaints.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 25 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 59 consumer complaints for the 1998 Volvo VN610. 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 110,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 27 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Suspension41 69%
- Steering13 22%
- Electrical system12 20%
- Engine cooling9 15%
- Other or unknown9 15%
- Brakes6 10%
- Equipment5 8.5%
- Fuel system5 8.5%
Also reported: Body and structure (4), Tires (3), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Exterior lighting (1), Seats (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Suspension: “Consumer states vehicle is constantly over weight on the front axle, forcing consumer to travel with less than half of fuel capacity. Truck weighs around 12,000 whem empty or no load. With full fuel, can reach 12,500 to 13,000. Steer tires vibrate and start to deteriorate at about 60,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #565931, filed 2002-05Steering: “Company owned vehicle was involved in a fatal collision. The vehicle veered across the median and overturned, killing driver. Inspection of vehicle's steering gear box revealed splines of worm gear worn away or sheared gears. Crash report to follow.”
NHTSA complaint #564859, filed 2002-04Electrical system: “The vehicle experienced wiring harness problems under dash, also the ems was replaced. . The vehicle experienced u-bolt problems, the clutch failed, the belts on the steer tires slipped, the engine raced for no reason and there was an oil leak.”
NHTSA complaint #565161, filed 2001-08Transmission and drivetrain: “Consumer experiencing various steering problems such as the sector shaft end cap and snap ring fell off, the steering gear box had to be replaced and tie rod ends failed.”
NHTSA complaint #565933, filed 2002-05Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 110,000 and 110,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 Volvo VN610 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 27 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10215281Jun 21, 2022Engine cooling, Transmission and drivetrain. Programming Failure - Chassis With Cummins Engine And An Allison Transmission
- 10215277Jun 21, 2022Brakes. DTC U012100 - Lost Communication With Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Control Module, No Additional Information
- 10215276Jun 21, 2022Electrical system, Vehicle speed control. (Back Office) - Cruise Control Inoperative After Updating Software VECU5 Without ESP Package (UESP)
- 10215265Jun 21, 2022Transmission and drivetrain. Warranty Automated Manual Transmission ( AMT, I-Shift, mDrive ) Control Housing Assembly; Guidelines For Filing A Claim For Chassis Return Visit With Transmission Issues After A Repair Requiring…
- 10215283Jun 17, 2022Transmission and drivetrain. AMT Control Housing Bench Testing - False Failures
- 10215306Jun 15, 2022Suspension, Steering. Volvo Chassis - Drag Link Inspection And Replacement Criteria
- 10215308Jun 7, 2022Transmission and drivetrain. Volvo Chassis - Equipped with An Automated Manual Transmission (AMT, iShift) - SNV 19-002 - AMT Oil Filter Housing Corrosion
- 10215263Jun 6, 2022Electrical system, Equipment. Unable To Retrieve "On Request" Messages For PeopleNet Or Omnitracs Modules Installed On The DL5 Data Link; Third Party Electronic Log Device Not Reporting Certain Data
- 10215282Jun 3, 2022Engine cooling. DEF Level (UQLS) Sensor Troubleshooting Guide - US17+OBD16 Emissions and Newer
- 10215279Jun 3, 2022Engine cooling. NOx Sensor Troubleshooting Guide - US10+OBD13 And Newer Emissions
Other model years of the Volvo VN610
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 18 | 285,250 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1999 | 21 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 59 | 110,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Volvo VN610?
Complaints on this model year concentrate on the front end: vibration through the chassis, uneven and rapid steer-tire wear, and steering problems including hard steering and loss of assist. The issues reported most often: Front-end vibration and rapid steer-tire wear; Dash wiring, gauge cluster and light failures; Steering hard to turn, sticking, or assist lost.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Volvo VN610 have?
NHTSA recorded 59 consumer complaints for the 1998 Volvo VN610 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Volvo VN610 is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 41 complaints (69% of the total), followed by steering with 13.
Has the 1998 Volvo VN610 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Volvo VN610 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 110,000 miles and the middle half falls between 110,000 and 110,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.