1998 Volvo VNL64T Problems
- Complaints
- 63filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 43,000miles, 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 VNL64T (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often write about the front end: loose, popping or unstable suspension and steering that pulls or locks up, frequently accompanied by uneven or premature front tire wear. The same complaints describe repeated dealer visits without a clear diagnosis, and a smaller set concerns dashboard electronics, electrical connectors and hard shifting transmission.
- Suspension
Front end popping and unstable steering
Mentioned in 5 of 13 sampled complaints
Complaints describe a loud popping or clunking from the front end when rolling over uneven or rough pavement, and a front end that feels loose or unstable at highway speed. Some owners say the condition was present from early ownership and that dealers could not identify a fault. Others link it to worn steering and suspension parts. Reported across the sampled complaints without a clear mileage pattern; several owners describe the noise as present since the truck was new.
What to check: Drive the truck over broken pavement at low and highway speed and listen for popping from the front axle; have the drag link, kingpins and U-bolts inspected. A service bulletin covers drag link inspection and replacement criteria.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Our front end is unstable above 63 MPH. We also have a front end weight with full tanks of 13000 and a gross of 23000+. Seems a bit high compared to the 17885 they advertise for the brooks and dunn le. Dwight mcalexander of Volvo na has attempted to put this problem off onto the option as they speced the trucks for this limited run.”
NHTSA complaint #550625, filed 2000-01“Notices loud popping noise when rolling over uneven or rough pavement. This has always been the case with this truck. Dealer can not find nothing wrong”
NHTSA complaint #550681, filed 2000-01 - Suspension
Premature front tire wear and cupping
- 48 complaints (76%)
- median 43,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- filed 1999–2003
Complaints describe rapid or uneven wear on the front steer tires, including cupping and pull to one side, which owners attribute to front suspension and steering geometry. In some cases the wear is reported alongside loose front end components. One owner also writes that the front axle weight exceeded the rating shown for the vehicle. Reported as a gradual condition noticed over time on the front steer tires; the sample does not give consistent mileage figures.
What to check: Inspect front steer tires for cupping and uneven wear, ask for an alignment and axle weight check, and confirm the front axle rating against the loads the truck will carry.
An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The vehicle was purchased new and the front steer axle weight exceeded the design fawr of the vehicle and north dakota's state restriction of 550 pounds per inch width of tire, Volvo paid for a modification attempt, after the modification the vehicle still exceeded the weight limits in numberous states, this is a design/engineering defect in the suspension system.”
NHTSA complaint #556282, filed 2000-10
Buying note. Check the front end, steering and front tire wear carefully on a test drive, since those complaints come up most often, and confirm dashboard displays and transmission shifting behave correctly when warm. Service records showing front end and steering work are worth asking for.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 13 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 63 consumer complaints for the 1998 Volvo VNL64T. 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 43,000 miles. 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.
- Suspension51 81%
- Electrical system5 7.9%
- Steering5 7.9%
- Brakes2 3.2%
- Engine cooling2 3.2%
- Fuel system2 3.2%
- Other or unknown2 3.2%
- Body and structure2 3.2%
- Tires2 3.2%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Suspension: “Consumer states the engine oil temperature oil shows 90 degrees hot, the engine has been down for repairs due to fuel being in the oil, the heads were replaced three times, the engine has been replaced at least 6 times.”
NHTSA complaint #565066, filed 2001-08Electrical system: “Consumer states that turn signal indicator light was operating intermittently, Volvo service replaced the bulb, but after that, the diagnostic display had lines throughout obscuring the information. Most all the dash is dark intermittently, consumer was told that the wiring harness connectors are affected by heat and cause a loss of contact.”
NHTSA complaint #565597, filed 2002-05Transmission and drivetrain: “The transmission was very hard to get into gear, also transmission had to be rebuilt becuase the alarm never came on and the temperature gauge never indicated anything was wrong, also the slave cylinder was leaking.”
NHTSA complaint #565074, filed 2001-08Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 43,000 and 43,000 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 VNL64T 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 VNL64T
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 11 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 45 | — | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 63 | 43,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Volvo VNL64T?
Owners of this model year most often write about the front end: loose, popping or unstable suspension and steering that pulls or locks up, frequently accompanied by uneven or premature front tire wear. The issues reported most often: Front end popping and unstable steering; Premature front tire wear and cupping.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Volvo VNL64T have?
NHTSA recorded 63 consumer complaints for the 1998 Volvo VNL64T as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Volvo VNL64T is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 51 complaints (81% of the total), followed by electrical system with 5.
Has the 1998 Volvo VNL64T 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 VNL64T reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 43,000 miles and the middle half falls between 43,000 and 43,000 miles; 100% 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.