GREENSBORO, N.C. — Volvo Trucks North America has confirmed media reports that it has recalled 1,577 VN series trucks due to front-axle weight-rating certification problems.

According to the company, the voluntarily non-compliance notification was filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on March 21.

It says this voluntary action relates to the weight rating indicated on the certification label and the distribution of the weight on the front axle of the truck when the trailer is not present. Of the more than 70,000 VN series trucks produced since 1996, this labeling issue effects 1,577 VN series model trucks manufactured between Nov. 22, 1997 and Aug. 28,1999.

“Once we discovered this labeling issue, we were quick to react and work with NHTSA” says Christopher Patterson, executive vice-president of sales and marketing, Volvo Trucks North America.

In an unrelated matter, Volvo Trucks has asked NHTSA to open a Preliminary Evaluation regarding a petition filed by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).

Specifically, the focus of the OOIDA petition is on all Volvo Trucks manufactured in North America between 1989 – 2000. Of the 260,000 units produced in that time frame, 42 OOIDA members have officially come forward in the petition.

“About a year ago OOIDA allowed us to contact approximately a dozen of the 42 owners in question and have found maintenance practices to be the prevailing factor for their current performance issues,” Patterson states. “Additionally, we want to continue working with every one of the 42 customers who have raised these issues to make certain that the vehicles are properly evaluated to determine the basis for their complaints.”