The Used Car Index

2016 Volvo VNL problems

NHTSA lists 12 complaints for the 2016 Volvo VNL, 2 of them mention a crash and 0 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
12
With crash
2
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
6
Do not drive recalls
1
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
18,116
Investigations
2
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
202

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
POWER TRAIN758.3%
SERVICE BRAKES216.7%
SUSPENSION216.7%
STEERING18.3%
STRUCTURE18.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER18.3%
WHEELS18.3%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
POWER TRAINDRIVELINE1
STRUCTUREBODY1

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

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure650.0%0.74
loss of control325.0%0.88
noise or comfort325.0%0.63
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate1191.7%0.79
low18.3%0.51

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 12 tagged complaints of 12 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

6 recalls.

18V668000

Date: 2018-09-25. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Volvo VNL trucks equipped with Cummins ISX15 diesel engines. In certain driving conditions, such as on a long down-hill grade, the fuel line may burst if the fuel pump cooling circuit screen becomes restricted.

Consequence: If the fuel line bursts, fuel may leak onto the road resulting in a roadway hazard for other motorists. The engine may also stall without warning, resulting in the vehicle's inability to restart, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Cummins will notify owners, and dealers will replace the single screen filter banjo bolt will be replaced with a dual screen filter banjo bolt, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1802.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V536000

Date: 2017-08-29. Systems: STEERING.

Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2016 Volvo VNL and VNM trucks equipped with certain Dana Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen. (excerpt)

Consequence: If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod, tightening it as necessary. If the tie rod stud and knuckle on units cannot be sufficiently torqued, the dealer will replace the knuckle and tie rod end assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for t (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V928000

Date: 2016-12-22. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.

Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 VNL and VNM trucks and certain model year 2017 VNX trucks. In the affected vehicles, incorrect software for controlling the electronic air dryer may result in oil and water contaminating the brake system.

Consequence: If the brake system becomes contaminated, braking performance could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module and replace the air dryer filter, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1608.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V095000

Date: 2016-02-19. Systems: SUSPENSION.

Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 VT trucks manufactured from April 9, 2008, through September 24, 2009, and certain 2016 model VNL and VNM trucks manufactured from January 2, 2015, through to November 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with USK non-greasable drag links that may experience corrosion of the ball joints due to the seals being comp (excerpt)

Consequence: Failure of the ball joint may cause separation of the socket and a complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drag links, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1601. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall 15V-651. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V097000

Date: 2016-02-17. Systems: STEERING.

Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 VNL, VNX, and VNM trucks manufactured from May 11, 2015, through April 18, 2016. The trucks may have been manufactured without a roll pin on the steering shafts. If the roll pin is missing, the lower steering shaft may disconnect from the junction block. Also, the bolt connecting the upper steering shaft to the lower s (excerpt)

Consequence: Separation of the steering shaft will result in complete loss of steering which may lead to a vehicle crash. (excerpt)

Remedy: Volvo is strongly recommending that the affected vehicles not be driven until the interim remedy is applied. An interim notice was sent to Volvo owners on March 16, 2016, and an interim repair is available now. A second notice was mailed on May 13, 2016. The final remedy is now available. Both remedies are free of charge. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-877-800-4945 opt #1. Vo (excerpt)

Do not drive: Yes. Park outside: No.

15V026000

Date: 2015-01-22. Systems: PARKING BRAKE.

Defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2015 and 2016 VNX and VNL trucks manufactured from May 20, 2014, through March 6, 2015, equipped with certain Haldex Life Seal Type 30/30 Long Stroke Air Brake Actuators manufactured January 9, 2014, to October 28, 2014. The affected actuators may have an incomplete attachment of the internal rubber diaphragm to the actuation mech (excerpt)

Consequence: If the diaphragm is not completely attached, there may be internal leakage from the service section past the diaphragm, potentially trapping air pressure in the parking brake section. This air pressure in turn, if not vented, may prevent full release of the actuator unit, and may induce brake drag and may result in overheated wheelend service brakes, increasing the risk of a fire. (excerpt)

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator and replace, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1501. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

2 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.

DP15006

Opened: 2015-09-28. Closed: 2016-04-08.

Ride Quality

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Defect Petition (DP) assessment in response to a defect petition received from owners of a 2015 Volvo VNL 780 tractor.Prior to submitting the letter the owners had submitted two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ).Their concerns included: cab sway, cab alignment , and loss of control.The petitioners further allege that due to a failure of the su

Systems: SUSPENSION.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

202 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING81
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM51
EQUIPMENT27
POWER TRAIN23
UNKNOWN OR OTHER13
ENGINE9
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL9
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE9

10251325

Date: 2024-02-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.

CBR - Telematics Gateway (TGW) Connect Ability Issues.

10251317

Date: 2024-02-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.

CBR - Driveline Noise, Suspension Ride Height Too High, Suspension Will Not Exhaust - Chassis Built 2016w01 And Newer

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.

10248086

Date: 2023-12-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Emissions Campaign: Volvo has determined that certain 2014 -2018 model year VN, VHD, and VAH Vehicles require a replacement Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) along with updated software.

10244825

Date: 2023-10-12. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

CBR: Vehicle Speed Factor (K-Factor) Programming - Speed Factor Value Incorrect When Calculated In Premium Tech Tool (PTT); Speedometer Reading Incorrectly Following A Change To Vehicle Speed Factor - US17+OBD16 And Newer Emissions, Common Model Year 2018.

10243460

Date: 2023-09-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

TSB: Aftertreatment Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Tank, Level Sensor, Replacement

10243461

Date: 2023-09-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

TSB: Aftertreatment Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Tank, Level Sensor, Replacement

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
VNL12

Same model, other years

All model years | All Volvo models

Other Volvo models, 2016

Sources

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