Model year record

2003 Volvo VNL

9 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 3 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V282000

Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection

Component
Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
Vehicles affected
63,788
Reported to NHTSA
2010-06-24
Owners notified
2010-09-02

Defect description

VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2006 VNL AND VNM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED WITH A TRW SEALED DRAG LINKS. CERTAIN FACTORS CAN EXIST, WHICH IF LEFT UNTREATED MAY RESULT IN A BALL SOCKET SEPARATION.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE BALL SOCKET OR THE DRAG LINK AS REQUIRED IF NECESSARY. AS PARTS ARE LIMITED, VOLVO TRUCKS MAILED AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2010. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V173000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
Vehicles affected
127,764
Reported to NHTSA
2009-05-21
Owners notified
2009-09-30

Defect description

VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING 127,764 MY 2001-2008 VHD, VNL, VNM, AND MY 2005-2008 VT TRUCKS. A SEAL MAY FAIL ALLOWING WATER AND CONTAMINANTS TO SEEP INTO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. SINCE THIS RECALL INVOLVES A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES, VOLVO WILL RELEASE THE RECALL IN STAGES AS PARTS ARE RECEIVED. PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THE VEHICLES LOCATED IN THE REGIONS/STATES THAT HAVE A CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V573000

Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers

Component
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA
Vehicles affected
104,845
Reported to NHTSA
2007-12-14
Owners notified
2008-02-25

Defect description

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION (I.E. AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS) USED TO PROTECT THE VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WITH FUSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V021000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system

Component
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
33,102
Reported to NHTSA
2006-01-26
Owners notified
2006-03-03

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH D12D ENGINES, THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) COOLER INLET PIPES OR THE PIPES THAT CONNECT THE EGR VALVES TO THE COOLER MAY CRACK OR BREAK.

Safety 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 FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE EGR COOLER PIPES AS REQUIRED AND INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER WAS MAILED ON FEBRUARY 17, 2006, TO ADVISE ON PRECAUTIONS THAT THE OWNER CAN TAKE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED STARTING MARCH 3, 2006, THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V498000

Wheels

Component
Wheels
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
1,376
Reported to NHTSA
2005-11-02
Owners notified
2006-02-20

Defect description

CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT STEER AXLE AIR SUSPENSION MAY DEVELOP A FRONT WHEEL WOBBLE WHEN THE TIRES BECOME WORN.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE THE FRONT VERTICAL SHOCKS ON EACH SIDE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND ADD A HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V516000

Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer

Component
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
6,939
Reported to NHTSA
2003-12-10
Owners notified
2003-12-24

Defect description

ON CERTAIN HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS, WHEN THE BUNK IS RAISED INTO THE STORED POSITION, AN OBJECT LEFT ON THE BUNK MAY INADVERTENTLY TURN ON A BUNK LAMP.

Safety risk

THIS COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BUNK LAMP WITH A PUSH BUTTON ON/OFF SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCK AT 1-800-528-6586.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V260000

Electrical system: wiring

Component
Electrical system: wiring
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC
Vehicles affected
422
Reported to NHTSA
2003-07-22
Owners notified
2003-08-15

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE CHASSIS MOUNTED ELECTRICAL INVERTER MAY ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE INVERTER AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE INVERTER.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V204000

Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly

Component
Trailer hitches: fifth wheel assembly
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC
Vehicles affected
1,275
Reported to NHTSA
2003-05-30

Defect description

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH JOST INTERNATIONAL JSK 37U SERIES FIFTH WHEELS, A FATIGUE CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE BRACKET PIN WELD UNDER CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS.

Safety risk

IF LEFT UNDETECTED OR CORRECTED IT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL TOP PLATE FROM ITS MOUNTING STRUCTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET PINS AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT JOST INTERNATIONAL AT 616-846-7700 OR BY EMAIL TO [email protected] OR VOLVO TRUCK AT 800-528-6586.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V038000

Visibility: glass, side/rear

Component
Visibility: glass, side/rear
Manufacturer
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC
Vehicles affected
2,435
Reported to NHTSA
2003-02-06
Owners notified
2003-02-26

Defect description

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE SLEEPER SECTION UPPER SIDE WINDOW GLASS MAY DE-BOND FROM THE WINDOW OPENING SLIDE TRACK MECHANISM.

Safety risk

IF THE WINDOW IS OPEN AND THIS EVENT OCCURS, THE WINDOW GLASS COULD SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW FRAME AND BECOME A HAZARD TO AN ONCOMING VEHICLE AND/OR PERSON.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDOW. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 26, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system1
Engine and engine cooling1728,000 mi
Interior lighting1

The 2002 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.