1997 VOLVO VN Recalls — Canada & USA

The 1997 Volvo VN has 7 recalls, the most serious being a braking system defect where the engine brake can override the ABS and lock up the rear wheels on slick pavement, with no electronic intervention to prevent it. Two separate recalls describe this same underlying issue: in one case a wiring connection between the engine control module and the ABS controller is missing, and in the other the engine brake simply defeats ABS when engaged. Either way, the rear axle wheels can lock up on low-traction surfaces, raising the risk of a crash. On the visibility side, the relay that powers the windshield wiper motor can fail and leave the driver without wipers in wet weather, and the electronic module that controls the headlights and daytime running lights can fail without warning, cutting all forward lighting. There are also three related recalls covering an inaccurate weight certification label: under certain operating conditions, such as running bobtail with full fuel tanks and two occupants, the actual front axle weight can exceed the figure printed on the label, which means the front tires and rims may be carrying more load than they are rated for.