RoadVitals

2020 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.
6
+1 complaint in 30 days
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 23, 2024
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.
0
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 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Volvo Vn, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and exterior lighting categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 266 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

  • Brakes222.2%
  • Electrical222.2%
  • Exterior lighting111.1%
  • Suspension111.1%
  • Visibility111.1%
  • Engine111.1%
  • Body & structure111.1%

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
24V790000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Oct 23, 2024
124,949 units potentially affected
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2020-2025 VN, VAH, VHD and VNRE trucks, equipped with Bendix EC80 Advanced Electronic Control Units (ECU). Electrical noise and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the ECU to incorrectly process commands or stop working.
The risk: Safety systems that depend on the ECU (Automatic Traction Control, ABS, Electronic Stability Control, Active Cruise Control, and Collison Mitigation System) may have diminished or lost functionality, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Truck's number for this recall is RVXX2409.
Volvo Trucks North AmericaManufacturer number RVXX2409View on NHTSA.gov
23V769000

SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Nov 15, 2023
638 units potentially affected
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2019-2024 VN and VHD vehicles. The passenger side bench seat may be inadequately attached to the floor. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, "Seating Systems" and 210, "Seatbelt Assembly Anchorage."
The risk: The attachment points may fail, allowing the bench seat to shift and increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the weld nut with two nuts and a washer, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed February 29, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks number for this recall is RVXX2312.
Volvo Trucks North AmericaManufacturer number RVXX2312View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Oct 22, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Volvo VN. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, there was white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that the repair was not eligible because the vehicle was not registered in California. The contact referenced Technical Service Bulletin: MC-10243531-0001; as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 264,811.

NHTSA ID
11772969
Incident
Oct 21, 2026
Mileage
264,811 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 10, 2026

I have just purchased this truck to replace an old truck lost due to a total loss . I picked up the truck in South dakota and drove back to Pennsylvania. When setting the parking brakes parked on a small incline with the truck empty the parking brake hold on the front drive axle and it skids those tires when rolling away. However the rear rear drive axle is not equipped with parking brake chambers which results in insufficient braking force to hold the truck in place. The truck has rolled away on me twice since I have purchased it . This is a huge saftey concern due to the fact it will certainly cause property damage or death . I have alerted Volvo Trucks and have a case number but they are really no help in resolving this. I have done research and found that this is already an issue with 2020-2027 trucks where the rear rear drive axle is not properly equipped with parking brake chambers.

NHTSA ID
11723271
Incident
Mar 7, 2026
BrakesElectrical
Filed Dec 12, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Volvo VN. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V790000 (Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the contact called the local dealer to schedule an appointment and was informed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11630307
Incident
Oct 23, 2024
Suspension
Filed Mar 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Volvo VNL-860. The contact stated that her husband was driving at 65 MPH and towing a 53-foot trailer, and the steering wheel would overcompensate while making adjustment, left or right to stay centered in lane. The failure lead to constant steering adjustments. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the leaf springs and bushings needed to be replaced. The failure persisted and the vehicle was taken to a second dealer were it was diagnosed and had the gear box replaced. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11454839
Incident
Feb 8, 2021
Mileage
90,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed May 12, 2021

THE OWNER PROGRAMMED A 5 MINUTE IDLE SHUT OFF AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANYTHING FOR ME AS THE DRIVER TO STAY WARM AT NIGHT I WAS DRIVING DURING WINTER AND TRAVELING TO STATES LIKE WYOMING WHERE IT REACHED 23 DEGREES. HE HAS MANY THINGS NOT UP TO DOT REGULATIONS WITH HIS TRUCK, LOT OF THINGS ARE NOT WORKING AND DAMAGED. HE ALSO DIDN'T DO ANY TYPE OF A PRE EMPLOYMENT DRUG TEST OR FOR ANY OF THE OTHER DRIVERS HE HIRED. HE THREATENED NOT TO PAY ME AND WITHHELD MY PAY ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. HE STOLE 800.00 FROM MY BACK ACCOUNT FOR DAMAGES TO HIS COMPANY TRUCK THAT I HADN'T DRIVEN FOR 3 WEEKS I AND CURRENTLY TAKING HIM TO COURT TO GET MY MONEY BACK. HE HAS SCREWED OVER PLENTY OF DRIVERS AND SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN.

NHTSA ID
11416256
Incident
May 4, 2021
Body & structure
Filed Sep 22, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 VOLVO VNL TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLEEPER BUNK WINDOW DETACHED ON TOP HOWEVER, THE BOTTOM BRACKETS PREVENTED THE WINDOW FROM COMPLETELY DETACHING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. WESTFALL GMC TRUCK INC LOCATED AT 3915 RANDOLPH RD, RANDOLPH, MO 64161 (816) 455-7262, WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V208000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V208000 (STRUCTURE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,980.

NHTSA ID
11360398
Incident
Sep 21, 2020
Mileage
145,980 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

TSB V-258-015A 202610

ENGINE

TSB - All Volvo vehicles built with USA17, and forward emissions may experience damage to the diesel exhaust fluid pump harness due to wicking of DEF into the pump connector and harness. To prevent this issue an anti-wicking harness has been developed.

TSB 373-001 202609

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Overheating has been observed at the alternator power cable and ground cable connection, resulting in melted insulation around the terminal area. The alternator power cable connection should maintain a stable electrical contact without overheating or insulation damage during normal vehicle operation. The alternator power cable shows signs of overheating and melted insulation at the connection point, which may affect electrical conductivity and charging system performance.

CBR 2398 202609

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This CBR solution addresses the issue of binding between the outer air filter housing and inner HVAC box due to misalignment during installation.

M0039 032026

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Emissions _ EC0039 MST21 Failure to Detect P20EE.

CBR 2246-5 032026

SUSPENSION

CBR - Z Spring Bracket Wear. Volvo Chassis

CBR 439 022026

VISIBILITY/WIPER

CBR - It has been found that the hood may not properly deflect water away from the "bird-beak" openings around the windshield opening.

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—
2024270—
2023090—
2022060—
2021320—
2020Viewing620—
2019010—
2018200—
2017001—
2016021—
2015011—
2014211—
2013121—
2012221—
2011022—
2010042—
2009042—
2008221—
2007332—
2006241—
2005223—
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.