1999 Volvo VNL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
487,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Hub is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 11 complaints (72.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Hub | 8 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 1 |
| Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar | 1 |
| Steering:Linkages | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 1 |
Suspension:Front:Hub: 8; Suspension: 2; Electrical System: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 1; Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar: 1; Steering:Linkages: 1; Structure: 1; Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 8; 2002: 1; 2005: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Hub leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10120098 · 2005-06-02 (June 2, 2005)
DT: INVOLVING A SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER. A DRAG LINK BROKE OFF @60 MPH; IT JUST DROPPED OFF. BOUGHT IT 2 MONTHS AGO. BRUCE LEE SIMONS IS THE INSPECTOR'S NAME WHO INSPECTED THE SEMI. HE STATED HE HAD THE ACTUAL PART, AND HE DIDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS EVER REALLY INSPECTED BECAUSE THE PART DID NOT HAVE ANY GREASE ON IT. *AK AN ERROR WAS DISCOVERED IN THE ODOMETER WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE DISPLAY 560K MILES COMPARED TO THE TRANSMISSION DATA OF 630K MILES. THE CABLE SHORT WOULD RANDOMLY FAIL. THE DRAG LINK DROPPED OUT OF THE SOCKET CAU…
Owner-reported narrative. 487,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120098 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 553124 · 2000-07-20 (July 20, 2000)
RIGHT FRONT HUD ASSEMBLY FELL OFF, VOLVO REPLACED WHOLE FRONT AXLE POSSIBLE BEARING FAILURE. *ET
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 553124 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 560092 · 2001-02-28 (February 28, 2001)
PREMATURE WEAR FROM STEER TIRES RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMBINATION OF RACE/BEARINGS IN MERITOR AXLES. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560092 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 560094 · 2001-02-28 (February 28, 2001)
PREMATURE WEAR FROM STEER TIRES RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMBINATION OF RACE/BEARINGS IN MERITOR AXLES. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560094 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 560102 · 2001-02-28 (February 28, 2001)
PREMATURE WEAR FROM STEER TIRES RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMBINATION OF RACE/BEARINGS IN MERITOR AXLES. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560102 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 560188 · 2001-02-28 (February 28, 2001)
PREMATURE WEAR FROM STEER TIRES RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMBINATION OF RACE/BEARINGS IN MERITOR AXLES. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560188 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 560192 · 2001-02-28 (February 28, 2001)
PREMATURE WEAR FROM STEER TIRES RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMBINATION OF RACE/BEARINGS IN MERITOR AXLES. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560192 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 560193 · 2001-02-28 (February 28, 2001)
PREMATURE WEAR FROM STEER TIRES RESULTING FROM IMPROPER COMBINATION OF RACE/BEARINGS IN MERITOR AXLES. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560193 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V232003 · Service Brakes, Air:Antilock
Reported: 2000-08-22 (August 22, 2000)
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 ERRATIC SENSOR SIGNAL.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ABS ECU TO EXHAUST THE AIR AT THE AIR BRAKE MODULATORS FOR ONE OR MORE OF THE WHEELS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS ECU.
NHTSA campaign record ↗02V110000 · Service Brakes, Air:Antilock
Reported: 2002-04-11 (April 11, 2002)
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 LIGHTING WITHIN THE TRAILER.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE OF THE TOWED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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. 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗02V238000 · Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights:Switch
Reported: 2002-09-09 (September 9, 2002)
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.
Consequence: IT MAY NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER OF A REARWARD APPROACHING VEHICLE TO HAVE FULL VIEW OF THE LAMPS.
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. 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗03V199000 · Suspension:Front
Reported: 2003-05-28 (May 28, 2003)
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.
Consequence: SEIZURE OF THE BEARINGS CAN CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION OR WHEEL END FIRE.
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. 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 AT 1-800-528-6586.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V296001 · Tires:Bead
Reported: 1999-10-26 (October 26, 1999)
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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE TIRE FAILURE.
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 campaign record ↗