Model year record

2016 Volvo VNL

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 15 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V668000

Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel
Manufacturer
Volvo Trucks North America
Vehicles affected
3,705
Reported to NHTSA
2018-09-25
Owners notified
2018-11-21

Defect description

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Volvo VNL trucks equipped with Cummins ISX15 diesel engines. In certain driving conditions, such as on a long down-hill grade, the fuel line may burst if the fuel pump cooling circuit screen becomes restricted.

Safety risk

If the fuel line bursts, fuel may leak onto the road resulting in a roadway hazard for other motorists. The engine may also stall without warning, resulting in the vehicle's inability to restart, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Cummins will notify owners, and dealers will replace the single screen filter banjo bolt will be replaced with a dual screen filter banjo bolt, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1802.

Recall campaignNHTSA 17V536000

Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly

Component
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
Manufacturer
Volvo Trucks North America
Vehicles affected
470
Reported to NHTSA
2017-08-29
Owners notified
2017-10-17

Defect description

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2016 Volvo VNL and VNM trucks equipped with certain Dana Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.

Safety risk

If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod, tightening it as necessary. If the tie rod stud and knuckle on units cannot be sufficiently torqued, the dealer will replace the knuckle and tie rod end assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1702.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V928000

Service brakes, air

Component
Service brakes, air
Manufacturer
Volvo Trucks North America
Vehicles affected
5,547
Reported to NHTSA
2016-12-22
Owners notified
2017-02-16

Defect description

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 VNL and VNM trucks and certain model year 2017 VNX trucks. In the affected vehicles, incorrect software for controlling the electronic air dryer may result in oil and water contaminating the brake system.

Safety risk

If the brake system becomes contaminated, braking performance could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module and replace the air dryer filter, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1608.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V095000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
Volvo Trucks North America
Vehicles affected
2,053
Reported to NHTSA
2016-02-19
Owners notified
2016-04-21

Defect description

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 VT trucks manufactured from April 9, 2008, through September 24, 2009, and certain 2016 model VNL and VNM trucks manufactured from January 2, 2015, through to November 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with USK non-greasable drag links that may experience corrosion of the ball joints due to the seals being compromised, possibly resulting in accelerated wear and failure of the ball joint.

Safety risk

Failure of the ball joint may cause separation of the socket and a complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drag links, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1601. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall 15V-651.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V097000

Steering

Component
Steering
Manufacturer
Volvo Trucks North America
Vehicles affected
18,116
Reported to NHTSA
2016-02-17
Owners notified
2016-05-13

Defect description

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 VNL, VNX, and VNM trucks manufactured from May 11, 2015, through April 18, 2016. The trucks may have been manufactured without a roll pin on the steering shafts. If the roll pin is missing, the lower steering shaft may disconnect from the junction block. Also, the bolt connecting the upper steering shaft to the lower steering shaft may not have been properly tightened. Either condition can lead to separation of the steering shaft.

Safety risk

Separation of the steering shaft will result in complete loss of steering which may lead to a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Volvo is strongly recommending that the affected vehicles not be driven until the interim remedy is applied. An interim notice was sent to Volvo owners on March 16, 2016, and an interim repair is available now. A second notice was mailed on May 13, 2016. The final remedy is now available. Both remedies are free of charge. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-877-800-4945 opt #1. Volvo's recall numbers for this campaign are RVXX1602 and RVXX1603. This recall supersedes safety recall 15V-786.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V026000

Parking brake: driveline: hydraulic: actuator

Component
Parking brake: driveline: hydraulic: actuator
Manufacturer
Volvo Trucks North America
Vehicles affected
170
Reported to NHTSA
2015-01-22
Owners notified
2015-03-20

Defect description

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2015 and 2016 VNX and VNL trucks manufactured from May 20, 2014, through March 6, 2015, equipped with certain Haldex Life Seal Type 30/30 Long Stroke Air Brake Actuators manufactured January 9, 2014, to October 28, 2014. The affected actuators may have an incomplete attachment of the internal rubber diaphragm to the actuation mechanism of the parking brake section of the Life Seal actuator.

Safety risk

If the diaphragm is not completely attached, there may be internal leakage from the service section past the diaphragm, potentially trapping air pressure in the parking brake section. This air pressure in turn, if not vented, may prevent full release of the actuator unit, and may induce brake drag and may result in overheated wheelend service brakes, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator and replace, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1501.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train611,000 mi
Service brakes239,000 mi
Suspension230,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1100 mi
Steering15,000 mi
Structure: body1120,000 mi
Unknown or other130,000 mi
Wheels1

The 2015 model has 3 times 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.