NHTSA lists 5 complaints for the 2012 Volvo VNL, 1 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 2 complaints mention an injury, with 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-09.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as VOLVO VNL.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
14 recalls. Showing the latest 10 of 14.
Date: 2015-10-13. Systems: TRAILER HITCHES.
Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured June 21, 2010, to December 14, 2012. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, have a locking mechanism that may fail to operate or to properly engage.
Consequence: If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly detach from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and Fontaine dealers will replace the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel, free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1507.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-10-08. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Volvo VNL trucks manufactured December 1, 2011, to September 1, 2013, equipped with certain Electric Auxiliary Power Units (APU), part number BA600, manufactured by Idle Free Systems (IFS). The affected APUs have metal housings whose mounting points may crack and tear. Additionally, the mounting bolts of the power units (excerpt)
Consequence: If the mounting points crack and tear or the attaching bolts loosen or fail, the power unit may detach from the truck, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and IFS dealers will inspect the APU for damage and, where needed, install a welded gusset upgrade kit to strengthen the APU C-channels. All units will receive stronger clamping brackets. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586, or IFS customer service at 1-920-206-9333. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX15 (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2015-08-17. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES.
Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured May 31, 2011, to December 1, 2014. In the affected trucks, the trailer hand brake handle may not to return to the off position due to being restricted by the cut out in the trim panel.
Consequence: If the brake handle does return to the off position, the trailer service brakes may drag causing the wheel end to overheat and potentially cause a wheel end fire or tire blowout. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the trim panel slot and make it longer, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-258-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1504.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2014-11-18. Systems: TIRES.
Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 VAH and VNL trucks manufactured May 12, 2010, to October 31, 2014. The affected vehicles may experience premature tire failure during certain operating conditions such as high speeds, heavy load, and high road temperature.
Consequence: Premature tire failure could increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tires and set the road speed limiter, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1405.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2014-11-18. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012, 2014-2015 VHD, 2012-2015 VNL, and 2014-2015 VNM trucks manufactured June 16, 2011, to August 18, 2014, and equipped with the Eco-Roll option. The affected trucks may fail to re-engage the vehicle drivetrain after using the Eco-Roll feature.
Consequence: If the drivetrain does not re-engage, the vehicle's stopping distance may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo has notified owners, and dealers will update the Eco-Roll software, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1406.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2014-06-20. Systems: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE.
Defect: Volvo Trucks of North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 VNL and 2014-2015 VNM trucks manufactured November 17, 2010, through February 5, 2014, and equipped with enhanced cruise control and without side fairings. In the affected vehicles, the active braking component of the enhanced cruise control can become disabled.
Consequence: If the active braking feature becomes disabled, the vehicle may not automatically activate the brakes as intended when the enhanced cruise control system is in use, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1402.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2013-08-13. Systems: VISIBILITY/WIPER.
Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 VAH, VHD, VNL, and VNM trucks manufactured February 1, 2010, through September 30, 2010 and June 1, 2011, through November 30, 2011. The windshield wiper motor may fail.
Consequence: Inoperable wipers may result in poor driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor, free of charge. The recallbegan on December 6, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1304.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2013-06-26. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 VAH, VHD, VNL, VNM, and VT models. The affected vehicles were built without a redundant clutch disengagement switch. Without a redundant switch, a loss of signal from the brake air pressure switch can prevent the clutch from automatically disengaging when the brake is applied.
Consequence: Without a signal to disengage the clutch when the brakes are applied, the distance required to stop the truck may lengthen, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the vehicles if necessary. The recall began on August 26, 2013. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1303. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2013-04-22. Systems: PARKING BRAKE.
Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VHD and VNL vehicles manufactured December 13, 2010, through July 17, 2012. These vehicles are equipped with an MGM Type 24 J-series piston parking brake chamber. The brake chambers may leak pressure allowing the parking brake to drag when it is supposed to be released. Brake dragging could lead to overheated brake com (excerpt)
Consequence: Overheated brake components could result in a fire. (excerpt)
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and the brake chambers will be replaced as needed, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or before, June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000. VolvoA s campaign recall number is RVXX1302. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2013-03-21. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Defect: Volvo is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 VHD, VNL, and VNM trucks, manufactured from April 18, 2011, through March 14, 2013, and equipped with a horizontally mounted remote battery disconnect switch. The remote battery disconnect switch was manufactured with incorrect hardware allowing the cables to loosen. Additionally, as mounted, the cables may vibrate and chafe.
Consequence: Loose or chafed cables may lead to overheating of the battery cable and switch which may result in a fire.
Remedy: Volvo will send owners an interim letter and dealers will replace and relocate the remote battery disconnect switch. The recall began on May 7, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo's recall support line at 1-877-800-4945 and select option 1.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
4 investigations; 0 open.
AQ18005
Opened: 2018-10-22. Closed: 2023-08-04.
Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting
On October 22, 2018, an Audit Query (AQ18-005) was opened to assess the completeness and timeliness of Volvo Group's early warning reporting, safety recalls, and communications submissions to the agency.NHTSA's investigation determined that Volvo Group failed to recall vehicles in a timely fashion and to comply with other recall and reporting requirements, including notifying owners of recalls and
Systems: COMMUNICATION.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
PE13005
Opened: 2013-03-18. Closed: 2013-08-29.
Windshield Wiper Failures
Through regular communications with heavy truck fleets, ODI learned of a potential issue involving failures of both the windshield wiper motor or linkage on model year 2011-2012 Volvo VNL trucks.ODI searched its Early Warning Reporting (EWR) database and identified a significant number of claims of wiper system problems reported by Volvo.In some cases the windshield wiper linkage separated and in
Systems: VISIBILITY, VISIBILITY/WIPER.
Linked campaign numbers: 13V349000.
PE13002
Opened: 2013-02-07. Closed: 2013-07-03.
Stop Lamp Switch Signal
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data from the manufacturer that indicated some number of subject vehicles equipped with the subject automated manual transmission had allegedly experienced a condition where the clutch failed to automatically disengage the transmission from the engine as intended. This may result in extended stopping distances and/or
Systems: POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.
Linked campaign numbers: 13V268000.
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.
Manufacturer communications
109 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 26 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 25 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 22 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 16 |
|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 9 |
|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 7 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 6 |
|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 5 |
|---|
10251325
Date: 2024-02-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.
CBR - Telematics Gateway (TGW) Connect Ability Issues.
10251319
Date: 2024-02-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, POWER TRAIN.
CBR - Automated Manual Transmission ( AMT ) Flywheel Pilot Bearing Wear On Input Shaft.
10251323
Date: 2024-02-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, PARKING BRAKE.
CBR - Active "Set Park Brake" Message On Drivers Information Display (DID)
10249569
Date: 2024-01-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
CBR: TGW Will Not Connect After SIM Card Replacement
10248063
Date: 2023-12-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VISIBILITY.
CBR: 11L Engine - Air Conditioner (A/C) Line Damaged At Bracket - Model Year 2007 to Present.
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
10225704
Date: 2022-10-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Volvo Chassis - ( AMT, I-Shift ) - Transmission Grinding When Downshifting ; Range Synchronizer (Synchro) Timing Procedure - US07 And Newer
10222270
Date: 2022-09-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
TSB-Charge Air Cooler t-clamp install.