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2011 Volvo VNLProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 4 owner complaints about the 2011 Volvo VNL, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 12 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-643 the manufacturer reports only 32% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls12Lowest repair rate 32%Owner complaints40 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 20, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2011 Volvo VNL has problems

4 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
Electrical system10
Engine10
Steering10
Suspension10

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

12 recalls

2011 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.

32%repaired · 2017 Q1

Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly

Recall 15V-643 · Oct 13, 2015 · 669 vehicles · 213 repaired

Risk. If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

93%repaired · 2015 Q4

Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control

Recall 14V-356 · Jun 20, 2014 · 1,025 vehicles · 958 repaired

Risk. If the active braking feature becomes disabled, the vehicle may not automatically activate the brakes as intended when the enhanced cruise control system is in…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

88%repaired · 2015 Q1

Visibility/wiper

Recall 13V-349 · Aug 13, 2013 · 17,824 vehicles · 15,600 repaired

Risk. Inoperable wipers may result in poor driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 8 more recalls
–no report yet

Power train: clutch assembly

Recall 13V-268 · Jun 26, 2013 · 23,056 vehicles

Risk. Without a signal to disengage the clutch when the brakes are applied, the distance required to stop the truck may lengthen, increasing the risk of a crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly

Recall 11V-460 · Sep 1, 2011 · 299 vehicles

Risk. IF THE DRIVER DRIVES AWAY WITH A TRAILER THAT IS NOT PROPERLY COUPLED, THE TRAILER CAN COME LOOSE AND POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, air: slack adjusters

Recall 11V-265 · May 3, 2011 · 2,765 vehicles

Risk. SLACK ADJUSTERS WITH THIS FLOW NOTCH COULD CRACK UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery

Recall 11V-050 · Jan 24, 2011 · 1,847 vehicles

Risk. THIS PRESENTS A RISK OF INJURY WITH NONOPERATIONAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING SERVICED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Other: labels

Recall 10V-492 · Oct 12, 2010 · 1,926 vehicles

Risk. THE MISINFORMATION ON THESE LABELS COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE OVERLOADING THAT CAN INCREASE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Recall 10V-086 · Mar 9, 2010 · 3,526 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD ALLOW THE GLASS TO COME LOOSE AND POSSIBLY FALL OUT INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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

2011 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
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2011 Volvo VNL, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Discrepancies in Required CFR ReportingAQ18005 · closed Aug 4, 2023
    No recall
  2. Stop Lamp Switch SignalPE13002 · closed Jul 3, 2013
    Led to recall 13V-268
  3. Windshield Wiper FailuresPE13005 · closed Aug 29, 2013
    Led to recall 13V-349
  4. Volvo Sleeper glass de-bondingRQ11001 · closed Jan 20, 2012
    No recall
In owners' words

What VNL owners report

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

WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED RUNNING INTERMITTENT WHEN HITTING A BUMP OR ACCELLERATING, THEN ABRUPTLY SHUT COMPLETELY DOWN WHILE DRIVING. LUCKELY THE SPEED WAS LOW AND WE WERE ABLE TO STOP, BUT ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION ON THE ROAD, SPARKS CAME OFF FROM…
Complaint 10734949 · Jul 18, 2015 · 474,000 miles

Own a 2011 VNL?

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