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Volvo VNLYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 127 owner complaints and 87 safety recalls on record for the Volvo VNL.

Volvo VNL
Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints127Top: SuspensionSafety recalls871990–2025 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: Chris Woodrich, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Best & worst years

Volvo VNL years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the VNL median. Tap a year for its full report.

'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2025Too new–/1000 complaints · 1 recall2024Not rated–/1000 complaints · 7 recalls2023Not rated–/1001 complaint · 3 recalls2022Not rated–/1002 complaints · 7 recalls2021Not rated–/1000 complaints · 7 recalls2020Not rated–/1000 complaints · 9 recalls2019Not rated–/1004 complaints · 8 recalls2018Not rated–/1008 complaints · 5 recalls2017Not rated–/1000 complaints · 5 recalls2016Not rated–/10012 complaints · 6 recalls2015Not rated–/1005 complaints · 9 recalls2014Not rated–/1008 complaints · 12 recalls2013Not rated–/1007 complaints · 14 recalls2012Not rated–/1005 complaints · 14 recalls2011Not rated–/1004 complaints · 12 recalls2010Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls2009Not rated–/1002 complaints · 4 recalls2008Not rated–/1003 complaints · 12 recalls2007Not rated–/10015 complaints · 9 recalls2006Not rated–/1007 complaints · 7 recalls2005Not rated–/1006 complaints · 6 recalls2004Not rated–/1005 complaints · 6 recalls2003Not rated–/1002 complaints · 9 recalls2002Not rated–/1001 complaint · 7 recalls2001Not rated–/1001 complaint · 8 recalls2000Not rated–/10010 complaints · 4 recalls1999Not rated–/10011 complaints · 5 recalls1998Not rated–/1008 complaints · 5 recalls1997Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls1996Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1995Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1994Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1993Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1992Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1991Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1990Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Volvo VNL problems

All model years combined: 127 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension361
Steering278
Power train154
Structure101
Tires92
Electrical system92
Engine and engine cooling81
Exterior lighting71
Engine71
15 other systems3713
87 recalls

Volvo VNL recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

84%Gear box: shaft sector24V-121 · 2024–2025 · Feb 19, 2024 · 45 vehicles0%Steering23V-900 · 2020 · Dec 26, 2023 · 1 vehicles100%Spindle: arm23V-886 · 2024 · Dec 22, 2023 · 1 vehicles86%Steering23V-690 · 2024 · Oct 13, 2023 · 1,933 vehicles97%Electronic stability control (ESC)23V-689 · 2024 · Oct 13, 2023 · 29 vehicles82%Windshield wiper/washer: motor23V-511 · 2022–2024 · Jul 24, 2023 · 55,012 vehicles97%Side/window: curtain23V-403 · 2022–2024 · Jun 4, 2023 · 29 vehicles74%Wheels: hubcap/cover23V-173 · 2024 · Mar 16, 2023 · 1,007 vehicles92%Service brakes, air: critical fasteners22V-896 · 2022–2023 · Dec 6, 2022 · 412 vehicles67%Hydraulic power assist: pump21V-858 · 2021 · Nov 4, 2021 · 3 vehicles99%Power train: automatic transmission21V-781 · 2022 · Oct 6, 2021 · 162 vehicles66%Wheels: hub21V-417 · 2021–2022 · Jun 2, 2021 · 1,050 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 87 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

11 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the VNL

  1. Discrepancies in Required CFR ReportingAQ18005 · 2009–2017 · closed Aug 4, 2023
    No recall
  2. Ride QualityDP15006 · 2013–2016 · closed Apr 8, 2016
    No recall
  3. Windshield Wiper FailuresPE13005 · 2011–2012 · closed Aug 29, 2013
    Led to recall 13V-349
  4. Stop Lamp Switch SignalPE13002 · 2007–2014 · closed Jul 3, 2013
    Led to recall 13V-268
  5. Volvo Sleeper glass de-bondingRQ11001 · 2002–2012 · closed Jan 20, 2012
    No recall
  6. Front Air Brake Hose InterferencePE10028 · 2009 · closed Dec 23, 2010
    No recall
  7. Drag Link FailureEA09003 · 1998–2005 · closed Jul 6, 2010
    Led to recall 10V-282
  8. DRAG LINK FAILUREPE08053 · 2005 · closed Jan 15, 2009
    No recall
  9. SAF HOLLAND FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLYPE07046 · 2007–2008 · closed Nov 9, 2007
    No recall
  10. STEERING BINDINGPE04014 · 1998–1999 · closed Jun 24, 2004
    No recall