2005 Volvo VNLProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 2005 Volvo VNL, most often about the steering. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

2005 Volvo VNL

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 16, 2018. Updated daily. Photo: order_242 from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2005 Volvo VNL has problems

6 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
Steering42
Engine10
Engine and engine cooling10
Exterior lighting10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2005 Volvo VNL recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Link: connection

Recall 10V-282 · Jun 24, 2010 · 63,788 vehicles

Risk. BALL SOCKET SEPARATION AT THE DRAG LINK RESULTS IN COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING, AND THEREFORE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Windshield wiper/washer: motor

Recall 09V-173 · May 21, 2009 · 127,764 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS A SHORT CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR, WHICH OVER TIME COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers

Recall 07V-573 · Dec 14, 2007 · 104,845 vehicles

Risk. IF A SHORT CIRCUIT OCCURS AND IS LEFT UNTREATED, COMPONENTS AND WIRING MAY BE SUBJECT TO OVERHEATING WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system

Recall 06V-021 · Jan 26, 2006 · 33,102 vehicles

Risk. IF THE PIPES OR THE COOLER INLET PIPES FAIL AND ARE LEFT UNTREATED, THE AIR CLEANER AND INNER FENDER MAY BE SUBJECT TO HOT EXHAUST GASES, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Wheels

Recall 05V-498 · Nov 2, 2005 · 1,376 vehicles

Risk. IF THE WOBBLE PERSISTS AND IS LEFT UNTREATED, DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD IMPAIR VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volvo.

Best & worst years

2005 vs. every other VNL year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the VNL median. How we score

'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
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2005 Volvo VNL, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Drag Link FailureEA09003 · closed Jul 6, 2010
    Led to recall 10V-282
  2. DRAG LINK FAILUREPE08053 · closed Jan 15, 2009
    No recall
  3. Volvo Sleeper glass de-bondingRQ11001 · closed Jan 20, 2012
    No recall
In owners' words

What VNL owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHAFT STRIPPED INSIDE THE…
Complaint 10661463 · Dec 1, 2014 · 721,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY LIGHT AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL BUT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE THE…
Complaint 10440419 · Dec 19, 2011 · 772,539 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT BUT THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHUT OFF. IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HE TIGHTENED SOME OF THE STEERING…
Complaint 10365224 · Nov 10, 2010 · 689,970 miles

Own a 2005 VNL?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.