RoadVitals

2003 Volvo Vhd

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest Nov 23, 2010
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
11
Latest Oct 18, 2012
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Volvo Vhd, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and brakes categories. 11 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 117 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical240.0%
  • Engine240.0%
  • Brakes120.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

11 campaigns cover this model year

View all 11

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
12V510000

SEAT BELTS

Oct 18, 2012
1,496 units potentially affected
The defect: Volvo is recalling certain model year 2002-2013 VHD and VN trucks, manufactured from August 4, 2000, through June 22, 2012, and equipped with bench passenger seats. The seat belt d-ring weld may not be sufficient enough to meet the seat belt pull test. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
The risk: In the event of a crash, an insufficient seat belt weld may prevent the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant. This increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
The remedy: Volvo Trucks of America will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspected d-ring, free of change. The safety recall began on May 10, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.
Volvo Trucks North AmericaManufacturer number RVXX1204View on NHTSA.gov
09V173000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

May 21, 2009
127,764 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENS A SHORT CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR, WHICH OVER TIME COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
The 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.
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number RVXX0902View on NHTSA.gov
07V573000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Dec 14, 2007
104,845 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number RVXX0707View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE06054ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INOPERABLE TAIL LIGHTS

Opened Nov 16, 2006
Closed Feb 7, 2007

ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND EWR DATA. EWR WARRANTY DATA IS AGGREGATE DATA AND INDIVIDUAL REPORTS ARE NOT SUBMITTED.VOLVO REVIEWED THEIR WARRANTY DATA AND DETERMINED THAT ONLY 63 OF THE EWR WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DISPLAYED SYMPTOMS CONSISTENT WITH THE TSB.VOLVO ALSO NOTED IN THEIR IR RESPONSE THAT THE TAIL LIGHT CONFIGURATION IS USED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON TRACTORS THAT ARE NORMALLY ATTACHED TO SEMI TRAILERS.THEREFORE, THE TRACTOR LIGHTS ARE NORMALLY NOT THE REAR MOST LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE.IN A NORMAL APPLICATION, EVEN IF ONE TAIL LIGHT ON THE TRACTOR WAS OUT, THE TAIL LIGHT ON THE TRAILER WOULD CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE AND PROVIDE OTHER DRIVERS OF THE INTENTIONS OF THE SEMI TRAILER DRIVER.PURSUANT TO 49 CFR 396.11 & 13, A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE OPERATOR IS REQUIRED TO PERFORM A PRE-TRIP AND POST-TRIP INSPECTION, WHICH INCLUDES CHECKING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE TAIL LIGHTS.GIVEN THE ABOVE INFORMATION, ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
EA02021ClosedEngineering Analysis

FRONT SUSPENSION U-BOLTS LOOSEN OR BREAK

Opened Sep 6, 2002
Closed Nov 6, 2003

ODI'SINVESTIGATION DID NOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE THAT LOOSE OR BROKENFRONT SUSPENSION U-BOLTS HAVE CAUSED OR CONTRIBUTED TO ANY CRASHES OR NEAR MISS EVENTS.SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSISREPORT FOR FULL TECHNICAL DETAILS.* 1996/1997 BUILT VEHICLES ARE DESIGNATED BY VOLVO AS 1998 MODEL YEAR.

SUSPENSION

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 23, 2010

NOVEMBER 12, 2010, WHILE DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY, AS SOLE OWNER/OPERATOR OF A 2003 VOLVO VHD 64F 10 WHEEL DUMP TRUCK THE ENGINE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING STOPPED RUNNING. IT IMMEDIATELY BECAME A SAFETY ISSUE TO CONTROL THIS EMPTY TRUCK WITH NO EQUIPMENT TRAILER ATTACHED BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A VOLVO DEALER. IT WAS DIAGNOSED BY VOLVO AS AN ENGINE COMPUTER FAILURE. VOLVO HAS NOT EXPLAINED WHICH PART OF THIS (EECU) ENGINE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT FAILED, WHICH I REQUESTED TO KNOW. THE EECU WAS REPLACED WITH A VOLVO REBUILT UNIT. THIS IS A PRODUCT SAFETY AND RELIABILITY ISSUE. THIS TRUCK HAS FIFTEEN THOUSAND, (15,000), ORIGINAL MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10367239
Incident
Nov 12, 2010
Mileage
15,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 12, 2009

THE TRUCK WAS JUST WORKING AN AVERAGE DAY, HAULING HOT MIX ASPHALT, WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SKIP. BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO DARIO DIESEL, THEY FOUND FAULTY INJECTOR CONNECTOR, HAD IT REPLACED. ONE MONTH LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED, AGAIN TOOK TRUCK TO DARIO DIESEL, THEY FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM, THEY REPAIRED THE CONNECTOR, AND SENT THE TRUCK ON ITS WAY. 2 MONTHS AFTER SECOND REPAIR, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THEY FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM, CORRECTED IT AND SENT THE TRUCK ON ITS WAY AGAIN. ONE MONTH AFTER THIRD REPAIR, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, AGAIN TOOK THE TRUCK TO DARIO DIESEL, THEY FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM AND SENT THE TRUCK ON ITS WAY. NOW THEY TELL US THE WHOLE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE CONNECTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE ALREADY SPENT $1397.00 HAVING THIS PROBLEM SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED. WE HAVE ALSO SENT A LETTER TO VOLVO TRUCKS TELLING THEM OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10291956
Incident
Jul 15, 2009
Mileage
213,763 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Apr 2, 2007

ABS MALFUNCTION BRAKE SHUTDOWN AND UNIT TURNED OF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. COULD NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I PLACED VEHICLE IN COMPANY SHOP SEVERAL TIMES AND INCIDENT CONTINUED TO OCCUR NUMEROUS TIMES. I SPOKE TO SWIFT OPERATION MANAGER SCOTT JOHNSON LOCATED IN OCALA FLORIDA ABOUT PROBLEM AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I SPOKE TO RICK PICKARD SWIFT FLEET MANAGE IN OCALA OFFICER AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I SPOKE TO ROB WHO IS THE HEAD SHOP MANAGER OF THE OCALA OFFICE. I REQUESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE SENT TO VOLCO TECHNICIANS AND NOTHING WAS DONE. THEY PLACE THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN THREE CONSECUTIVE WEEKS FOR THE SAME INITIAL PROBLEM AND NOTHING WAS DONE. FURTHERMORE IT STATES IN THE VEHICLE MANUAL OF VOLVO, IF TOTAL SHUTDOWN OF VEHICLE OCCURS AT ANY TIME PLEASE NOTIFY VOLVO DIRECTLY AS WELL AS DOT TO REPORT VEHICLE PROBLEMS TO PREVENT ANY OUTCOME OF AN ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH. PAGE 134 OF VEHICLE MANUAL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10186704
Incident
Mar 19, 2007

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

CBR 2246-5 032026

SUSPENSION

CBR - Z Spring Bracket Wear. Volvo Chassis

CBR 2488 072025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CBR - A significant GPS reporting issue is affecting fleet operations, with trucks maintaining back-office communication but failing to transmit GPS location data.

CBR-2139 202405

ENGINE

CBR - 11 Liter Engines - Fuel In Oil.

CBR-2120 202308

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CBR: Volvo VHD & VN Models - Vehicle Wil Not Start, PTO Active Message Displayed In Cluster, PTO Light On When PTO Switch Is Turned Off

V728-005A 202308

SUSPENSION

TSB: Barksdale Leveling Valve, Leak Test

CBR-2112 202307

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; POWER TRAIN

CBR: Programming Failure - Chassis With Cummins Engine And An Allison Transmission

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volvo Vhd by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2026020—
2025050—
2024080—
2023050—
2022050—
2021060—
2020050—
2019050—
2018020—
2017031—
2016041—
2015051—
2014062—
2013162—
20120112—
2011092—
2010052—
2009062—
20082102—
20072101—
2006061—
2005361—
2004372—
2003Viewing3112—
2002091—
20011100—
2000070—
1999011—
1998000—
1997000—
1996000—
1995000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.