RoadVitals

2005 Volvo Vn

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.
2
Latest Jan 15, 2012
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.
2
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.
3
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Volvo Vn, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and exterior lighting categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 128 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

  • Brakes133.3%
  • Electrical133.3%
  • Exterior lighting133.3%

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

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
05V311000

SUSPENSION

Jul 7, 2005
10 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, EQUIPPED WITH HOLLAND AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS, A TRANSVERSE BEAM CASTING MAY FRACTURE UNDER NORMAL LOADS. IF A CASTING BREAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR PIECES OF THE CASTING TO BECOME PROJECTILES AND THE SUSPENSION?S TRANSVERSE BEAM MAY DROP DOWN LOW ENOUGH TO CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE.
The risk: THIS WILL CAUSE SPARKS THAT COULD POTENTIALLY IGNITE AND CAUSE A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSVERSE BEAM ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 26, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number RVXX0503View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

RQ11001ClosedRecall Query

Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding

Opened May 23, 2011
Closed Jan 20, 2012

ODI opened Recall Query RQ11-001 after a review of EWR Field Reports identified lower bunk window separations on the subject vehicles.Volvo had issued three recalls for sleeper window separations since 2003.Additionally, Volvo had issued two bulletins for sleeper window issues during the same time period.The frequency of related actions led ODI to open this formal investigation.An Information Request (IR) letter was sent to Volvo on 23 June 2011.Volvo responded on 17 August 2011 and then provided updated warranty information on 9 January 2012.Volvo provided production change data and warranty information which was correlated to vehicle build month and failure date.ODI analyzed the data to determine if additional production time frames should have been included in previous recalls.ODI also requested information from its network of fleet owners.The response from this network reaffirmed the accuracy of the updated warranty information.Based on the information and data received, ODI has concluded that all production periods have been appropriately addressed by Volvo's previous recalls and no additional recall action is required at this time.

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
EA09003ClosedEngineering Analysis

Drag Link Failure

Opened Jan 15, 2009
Closed Jul 6, 2010

EA09-003 is closed with the submission of Volvo's recall 10V-282 recalling approximately 111,034 Model Year (MY) 1998 through 2005 VN and VNL class 8 trucks.Volvo announced recall 10V-282 in response to NHTSA's recall request letter dated June 3, 2010 (available at NHTSA's web site www.safercar.gov). NHTSA found that these vehicles were designed and manufactured with a TRW ball joint that does not meet the combined performance requirements and foreseeable inspection practices of the U.S. market.The ball joint in the steering system that connects the driver's side steering arm/knuckle to the drag link can fail resulting in a total loss of steering on the vehicle.Volvo changed the size and supplier of the ball joint used on these vehicles starting with the 2006 MY vehicles.The failure rates on the vehicles manufactured with the larger ball joint are significantly less than the subject vehicles.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by ODI that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in Volvo's recall.ODI will continue to monitor the incidence of drag link failures in other MY Volvo trucks.Note:The recall request letter dated June 3, 2010 associated with this investigation describes 49 incidents of ball joint separation.After a comprehensive review of the data it was discovered that the number of separations that NHTSA was aware of was 41 with a failure rate of 36.9 R/100K.The 41 separations resulted in 23 crash allegations.

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMANLed to recall 10V282000
PE08053ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

DRAG LINK FAILURE

Opened Sep 12, 2008
Closed Jan 15, 2009

ODI HAS DECIDED TO UPGRADE THIS PE AND CONDUCT FIELD WORK AND TESTING.SUMMARY NUMBERS IN THIS RESUME ARE REPRESENATIVE OF ONLY THE 2005 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FOR DETAILS.

STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION

Recent owner complaints

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

Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 15, 2012

THE VOLVO VN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS HAVE A LOW BEAM LIGHTING SYSTEM THAT IS TOTALLY INADEQUATE. THESE LIGHTS ARE MUCH TOO DIM AND WHEN THE DEALERSHIPS ARE CONFRONTED WITH THIS, THEY ONLY WANT TO SELL AN ENTIRE NEW LIGHTING UNIT. NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THE COMPANY SEEMS TO BE USING THIS AS A "CASH COW".

NHTSA ID
10443823
Incident
Nov 1, 2011
BrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 22, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO VN. THE TRACTOR TRAILERS DID NOT HAVE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WHICH CAUSED THE FUSE TO BLOW AND THE BRAKE LIGHT NOT TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10185909
Incident
Jan 1, 2004

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 453-6 032026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CBR - Volvo Chassis - Voltage Warning (Low Battery Light, Alternator Light) Illuminated (ON) In The Instrument Cluster After The Cluster Is Replaced - US04 Emissions, Model Years 2005 to 2007.

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

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 Vn by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2026030—
2025080—
2024170—
2023090—
2022060—
2021320—
2020520—
2019010—
2018200—
2017001—
2016021—
2015011—
2014211—
2013121—
2012221—
2011022—
2010042—
2009042—
2008221—
2007332—
2006241—
2005Viewing223—
2004142—
2003343—
2002053—
2001121—
2000522—
1999954—
1998964—
1997091—
1996211—
1995000—
1994000—

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.