VehicleVerdict

1999 Volvo Vnl problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 16 complaints on file for the 1999 Volvo Vnl — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

16

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Vnl years?

See all Vnl years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Volvo Vnl problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension1169%
Steering213%
Electrical System16%
Fuel System16%
Body & Structure16%

Does the 1999 Volvo Vnl have recalls?

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

03V199000SuspensionMay 28, 2003 · 433 units

Defect

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.

02V238000LightingSeptember 9, 2002 · 5,532 units

Defect

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.

02V110000BrakesApril 11, 2002 · 208 units

Defect

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.

00V232003BrakesAugust 22, 2000 · 18,362 units

Defect

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.

99V296001Tires & WheelsOctober 26, 1999 · 20 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 27, 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 27, 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 27, 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 27, 2005

1999 Volvo Vnl — common questions

Is the 1999 Volvo Vnl reliable?

The record is thin — 16 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1999 Vnl problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (11 complaints), steering (2 complaints), fuel system (1 complaints).

Does the 1999 Volvo Vnl have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Volvo Vnl. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Volvo Vnl under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.