The Used Car Index

2003 Volvo VNL problems

NHTSA lists 2 complaints for the 2003 Volvo VNL, 0 of them mention a crash and 2 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as VOLVO VNL.

At a glance

Complaints
2
With crash
0
With fire
2
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
9
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
127,764
Investigations
2
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
67

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM150.0%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING150.0%
INTERIOR LIGHTING150.0%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

9 recalls.

10V282000

Date: 2010-06-24. Systems: STEERING.

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.

Consequence: BALL SOCKET SEPARATION AT THE DRAG LINK RESULTS IN COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING, AND THEREFORE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

09V173000

Date: 2009-05-21. Systems: VISIBILITY.

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.

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS A SHORT CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR, WHICH OVER TIME COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

07V573000

Date: 2007-12-14. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

06V021000

Date: 2006-01-26. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH D12D ENGINES, THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) COOLER INLET PIPES OR THE PIPES THAT CONNECT THE EGR VALVES TO THE COOLER MAY CRACK OR BREAK.

Consequence: IF THE PIPES OR THE COOLER INLET PIPES FAIL AND ARE LEFT UNTREATED, THE AIR CLEANER AND INNER FENDER MAY BE SUBJECT TO HOT EXHAUST GASES, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE EGR COOLER PIPES AS REQUIRED AND INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM OWNER LETTER WAS MAILED ON FEBRUARY 17, 2006, TO ADVISE ON PRECAUTIONS THAT THE OWNER CAN TAKE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. OWNERS ARE BEING NOTIFIED STARTING MARCH 3, 2006, THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

05V498000

Date: 2005-11-02. Systems: WHEELS.

Defect: CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT STEER AXLE AIR SUSPENSION MAY DEVELOP A FRONT WHEEL WOBBLE WHEN THE TIRES BECOME WORN.

Consequence: IF THE WOBBLE PERSISTS AND IS LEFT UNTREATED, DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD IMPAIR VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE THE FRONT VERTICAL SHOCKS ON EACH SIDE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND ADD A HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

03V516000

Date: 2003-12-10. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: ON CERTAIN HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS, WHEN THE BUNK IS RAISED INTO THE STORED POSITION, AN OBJECT LEFT ON THE BUNK MAY INADVERTENTLY TURN ON A BUNK LAMP.

Consequence: THIS COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BUNK LAMP WITH A PUSH BUTTON ON/OFF SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCK AT 1-800-528-6586.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

03V260000

Date: 2003-07-22. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTED TO THE CHASSIS MOUNTED ELECTRICAL INVERTER MAY ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE INVERTER AND CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE INVERTER.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

03V204000

Date: 2003-05-30. Systems: TRAILER HITCHES.

Defect: ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH JOST INTERNATIONAL JSK 37U SERIES FIFTH WHEELS, A FATIGUE CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE BRACKET PIN WELD UNDER CERTAIN LOADING CONDITIONS.

Consequence: IF LEFT UNDETECTED OR CORRECTED IT COULD LEAD TO THE SEPARATION OF THE FIFTH WHEEL TOP PLATE FROM ITS MOUNTING STRUCTURE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRACKET PINS AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT JOST INTERNATIONAL AT 616-846-7700 OR BY EMAIL TO RECALL@JOSTINTERNATIONAL.COM OR VOLVO TRUCK AT 800-528-6586.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

03V038000

Date: 2003-02-06. Systems: VISIBILITY.

Defect: ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE SLEEPER SECTION UPPER SIDE WINDOW GLASS MAY DE-BOND FROM THE WINDOW OPENING SLIDE TRACK MECHANISM.

Consequence: IF THE WINDOW IS OPEN AND THIS EVENT OCCURS, THE WINDOW GLASS COULD SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW FRAME AND BECOME A HAZARD TO AN ONCOMING VEHICLE AND/OR PERSON.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDOW. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 26, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

2 investigations; 0 open.

RQ11001

Opened: 2011-05-23. Closed: 2012-01-20.

Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding

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 Requ

Systems: VISIBILITY.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

EA09003

Opened: 2009-01-15. Closed: 2010-07-06.

Drag Link Failure

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

Systems: STEERING.

Linked campaign numbers: 10V282000.

Manufacturer communications

67 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15
EQUIPMENT10
POWER TRAIN9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
ENGINE4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4

10241904

Date: 2023-08-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: 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

10241906

Date: 2023-08-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.

TSB: Barksdale Leveling Valve, Leak Test

10240244

Date: 2023-07-24. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN.

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

10219421

Date: 2022-08-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

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

10215265

Date: 2022-06-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: 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

10215276

Date: 2022-06-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.

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

10215277

Date: 2022-06-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

DTC U012100 - Lost Communication With Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Control Module, No Additional Information

10215281

Date: 2022-06-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN.

Programming Failure - Chassis With Cummins Engine And An Allison Transmission

10215283

Date: 2022-06-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

AMT Control Housing Bench Testing - False Failures

10215306

Date: 2022-06-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STEERING, SUSPENSION.

Volvo Chassis - Drag Link Inspection And Replacement Criteria

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
VNL2

Same model, other years

All model years | All Volvo models

Other Volvo models, 2003

Sources

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