VehicleVerdict

1997 Volvo Vn problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1997 Volvo Vn — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 9 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Vn years?

See all Vn years to avoid →

Does the 1997 Volvo Vn have recalls?

9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

02V310000OtherNovember 15, 2002 · 91 units

Defect

CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE WEIGHT CERTIFICATION LABEL WHICH CONTAINS FRONT GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) INFORMATION DOES NOT ACCURATELY REFLECT THE ACTUAL FRONT GROSS AXLE WEIGHT.

Consequence

WHEN OPERATING 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

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FRONT STEER AXLE TIRES AND NEW CERTIFICATION LABEL STATING THE NEW FRONT STEER AXLE WEIGHT RATING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 19, 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.

01V093000OtherMarch 22, 2001 · 1,577 units

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.

Consequence

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.

00V002002BrakesFebruary 24, 2000 · 13,516 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH HALDEX MANIFOLD DASH VALVES (MDV) USED IN TRACTOR AND TRAILER PARKING BRAKES. THESE VALVES DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 121, "AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS." A LOSS OF THE ISOLATION OF THE TWO BRAKE SYSTEM CIRCUITS CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES WHEN THERE IS ANOTHER FAILURE OF ONE OF THE TWO BRAKE CIRCUITS.

Consequence

THE LOSS OF SERVICE BRAKES CAN OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT VALVES.

98V297000SteeringNovember 17, 1998 · 25 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A FAL 8.0 FRONT STEER AXLE. THE UPPER STEERING ARM CAN FAIL WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UPPER STEERING ARM AND REPLACE IT, IF REQUIRED.

98V120001Tires & WheelsMay 19, 1998 · 3,065 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE FAILURE OF THESE WHEELS.

Remedy

ACCURIDE/AKW WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.

98V092000LightingMay 4, 1998 · 2,329 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS 8 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE ELECTRONIC MODULE THAT CONTROLS THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL) AND HEADLIGHTS CAN FAIL WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF THE DRL AND HEADLIGHT FUNCTIONS.

Consequence

IF THESE LIGHTS FAIL, A VISIBILITY PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRL CONTROL MODULE.

97V127000BrakesAugust 18, 1997 · 278 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS 8 HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. A WIRE THAT CONNECTS THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU) TO THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING CONTROL SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROLLER IS MISSING. THE ENGINE BRAKE CAN LOCK UP THE REAR AXLE WHEELS ON A SLICK PAVEMENT, AND THE ABS WOULD NOT PREVENT THE LOCK UP.

Consequence

IF THE WHEELS LOCKED UP, THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE MISSING WIRING CIRCUIT ON THE ABS BRAKES.

97V121000Visibility & WipersAugust 4, 1997 · 3,272 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS. THE RELAY THAT CONTROLS THE ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR CAN FAIL.

Consequence

IF THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL, THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY IN WET WEATHER WILL BE REDUCED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT RELAYS.

97V033000TransmissionMarch 3, 1997 · 1,035 units

Defect

THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL LEVER CAN BREAK OFF AT THE TRANSMISSION.

Consequence

IF THE SHIFT LEVER FAILS, THE TRANSMISSION CANNOT BE SHIFTED AND THE VEHICLE CAN BECOME A HAZARD OR OBSTRUCTION TO OTHER DRIVERS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL LEVERS WITH NEW CONTROL LEVERS.

1997 Volvo Vn — common questions

Is the 1997 Volvo Vn reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 9 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1997 Volvo Vn have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Volvo Vn. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Volvo Vn under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volvo Vn years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Vn years to avoid are 1999, 1998. The cleanest record among Vn years belongs to 2027.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.