RoadVitals

2005 Volvo Vnl

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
Latest Apr 16, 2018
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.
6
Latest Jun 24, 2010
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.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Volvo Vnl, most frequently naming the steering, engine and exterior lighting categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 74 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

  • Steering457.1%
  • Engine228.6%
  • Exterior lighting114.3%

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

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
10V282000

STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION

Jun 24, 2010
63,788 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: BALL SOCKET SEPARATION AT THE DRAG LINK RESULTS IN COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING, AND THEREFORE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICAManufacturer number RVXX1003View 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.

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

Engine
Filed Apr 16, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO ISX ST2 HEAVY TRUCK (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. ADDITIONALLY, THE COOLANT COMPARTMENT WAS LOW AND HAD TO BE REFILLED SEVERAL TIMES BY THE CONTACT. THE COOLANT LOW WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 622,253. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11088369
Incident
Dec 1, 2017
Mileage
622,253 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 1, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHAFT STRIPPED INSIDE THE INTERNAL STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 721,000. UPDATED 1/7/15*CN

NHTSA ID
10661463
Incident
Oct 21, 2014
Mileage
721,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 19, 2011
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY LIGHT AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL BUT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE DRAG LINK, LUG NUTS AND THE BOLTS ON THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WOULD NEED REPLACING. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE RODS WOULD ALSO NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 772,539.

NHTSA ID
10440419
Incident
Dec 14, 2011
Mileage
772,539 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 13, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLAMP REFLECTOR LENS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD SURFACE PROPERLY CAUSING EXTREMELY POOR VISIBILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 638,000. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF UPDATED 12/14/11 *CN

NHTSA ID
10376502
Incident
Dec 23, 2010
Mileage
638,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 10, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT BUT THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND SHUT OFF. IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HE TIGHTENED SOME OF THE STEERING MECHANISMS HIMSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 689,970.

NHTSA ID
10365224
Incident
Nov 8, 2010
Mileage
689,970 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Aug 28, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN WARMER WEATHER CONDITIONS THE ENGINE WOULD STALL WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. AS A CONSEQUENCE HIS RISK FOR VEHICLE CRASH IS INCREASED. IT WOULD TAKE APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER IN WHICH THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. 10/26/09. *LJ THE POWER STEERING WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 10/26/09

NHTSA ID
10282085
Incident
Mar 10, 2009
Mileage
350,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

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

CBR-2201

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine Control Module (EMS) Software (MSW) Information – August 2022; Improvement List (Change Log) - US21+OBD22 (13L VGT, TC) And US17+OBD22 (11L) Emissions

KC-405

POWER TRAIN

Warranty Automated Manual Transmission ( AMT, I-Shift, mDrive ) Control Housing Assembly; Guidelines For Filing A Claim For Chassis Return Visit With Transmission Issues After A Repair Requiring Control Housing Removal And Reinstallation - US07 And Newer

KC-2143

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

(Back Office) - Cruise Control Inoperative After Updating Software VECU5 Without ESP Package (UESP)

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 Vnl by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010—
2024070—
2023130—
2022270—
2021070—
2020090—
2019480—
2018850—
2017051—
2016126260.8
2015592—
20148123—
20137143—
20125144—
20114124—
2010043—
2009244—
20083123—
2007159364.2
2006771—
2005Viewing663—
2004562—
2003292—
2002173—
2001182—
2000104259.4
1999115351.6
1998853—
1997040—
1996010—
1995010—
1994010—
1993010—
1992010—
1991010—
1990010—

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.