Volvo VNL Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls — NHTSA Data
Comparing used Volvo VNL options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact Volvo VNL you plan to buy.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Volvo VNL has 15 owner complaints and 52 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is POWER TRAIN. 2018 drew the most complaints; 2024 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Volvo
- Model
- VNL
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 15
- Safety recall campaigns
- 52
- Crash-related complaints
- 1
- Fire-related complaints
- 1
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2018 (8 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2024 (0 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- POWER TRAIN
- Reliability signal
- Good
Volvo VNL: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
GoodThe VOLVO VNL has 15 NHTSA complaints and 52 recalls on record. 1 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 15 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 52 federal recall campaigns
- 1 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
52 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 15 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
15 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Our trucking business name is Fast Way Express LLC and this is a complaint against TEC Equipment Las Vegas (Volvo dealership) in regards to a new Volvo semi truck we purchased on 6/13/2022. After only 10,600 miles and 216 engine hours, all the electrical modules on the truck stopped working. I have pictures of all the warning or error messages on the dashboard. The truck has been in their repair shop since 9/23/2022, for almost 3 months, and they are unable to repair the truck. They are telling us that the parts they don't have are on national backorder and they don't have an estimated time for when they will have the parts. Volvo North America refuses to offer us a replacement for the truck or a refund. This is a new truck, under warranty, it is our only source of income, and we are unable to use it to make a living. We think 3 months is not a reasonable time period for repairs on a new truck under warranty. We paid $196,872.40 for this new truck and we cannot use it because TEC Equipment and Volvo NA are unable to repair it. We think TEC Equipment might be unable to fix the truck, we also think this might be a safety issue for which Volvo doesn't have a solution. We also think that at this point they don't disclose certain information with us and that they might be trying to stall for time.
The contact owns a 2022 Volvo VNL. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and was unable to accelerate above 10 MPH, after which the low coolant warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed that the coolant reservoir was abnormally low on coolant. After refilling the reservoir, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The contact also stated that the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard while at a stopped and the contact heard a hissing sound coming from the brake pedal, after which the brakes briefly released, and the vehicle began to roll. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the water pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 313,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Volvo VNL860. The contact stated that upon attempting to drain the driver’s side air tank, he noticed that the air tank flaring was loose. The service technician tightened the flaring. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he noticed that the screws of the visor light located outside the windshield were falling. The contact then noticed that the visor cover was vibrating. The contact veered to the side of the road and inserted the screws in the visor cover and attempted to tighten the screws; however, the failure persisted while driving. The contact used a plastic bag to hold the visor cover into place. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 5 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle was making an abnormal sound and hesitated to respond. The contact veered to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rubber located between the two metal turbo pipes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the visor light cover screws were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Volvo VNL Truck. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was lunging forward and failed to properly respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no additional information provided. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission clutch and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the power train warning light illuminated a week later. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 600,000.
The contact owns a Volvo 2018 VNL64 Commercial vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle would shut down while driving at various speeds. There was no further information provided. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the high pressure fuel pump filter, the differential pressure sensor, the rear wire harness were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing transmission failures and would fail to respond intermittently while reversing. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 537,850.
The contact owns a 2018 Volvo VNL. The contact stated that while approaching a stop, the clutch failed to disengage. The contact also stated that after decelerating, he depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle rolled back. The contact stated that the check warning light illuminated, indicating to check the transmission at the next stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and produced code: DTC-P107538 (Throttle Actuator Control Module) however, the contact was informed by the dealer that the clutch needed to fail 5 more times before the vehicle would be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 574,000.
2019 COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER ABOUT UNEVEN WEARING OF THE FRONT TIRES THEY CHECKED ALIGNMENT THEN SAME COMPLAINT IN MARCH 2020 NO DEFECTS FIND THEN IN JULY 02 2020 I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF VIBRATION , AFTER INSPECTION THEY FOUND PLASTIC BUSHINGS FOR BOTH KINGPINS WORN OUT AND REPLACED AS WHOLE SETS. MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT PREMATURE FAILURE COMPONENTS AT 300000 MILES DUE TO USE OF PLASTIC BUSHINGS BY MANUFACTURER. TRUCK WAS USED ON HIGHWAYS NOT AS A VOCATIONAL TRUCK
ENGINE WORKING NOT PROPERLY AND SHAKING!!!ITS HAPPENED IN 2019 !!! NOW THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN!!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING 57-65 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT TWICE, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,421. *TR
THE STEERING WHEEL ON ALL NEW 2018 VOLVO VNL760 TRACTORS IS PAINFUL TO USE, IMPOSSIBLE TO GRIP PROPERLY, AND HAS A MIS-FUNCTIONING TURN SIGNAL LEVER. PLEASE SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=8LT4MCUVUCG
A PRIOR WRECK HAPPEN SEMI TRUCK TRAILER CROSS MEDIAN AND LAY OVER BLOCKING ALL MY LANES IN THE DARK ON 09/10/18 TIME 0040 HRS RAINING WIPER ON . DID NOT SEE IT TILL FINAL SECONDS ROOF OF SEMI TRAILER FACING ME ON THE GROUND I DROVE THRU THE ROOF OF SEMI TRAILER WITH A LOAD OF CANDY IN IT AIR BAG DID NOT GO OFF , EARLY WARNING DISTANCE SENSOR DID NOT GO OFF EXTREME DAMAGE TO FRONT HOOD , CAB AREA MAYBE WITH THE TRAILER IN A ANGLE HIT AND ROOF FACING ME SENSORS DID NOT GO OFF VEHICLE ???
The contact owned a 2019 Volvo Truck VNL. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently. The contact stated that while the driver was driving approximately 50 mph when they noticed the rear axle smoking. They pulled to the side of the road where they attempted to detach the trailer. The smoke became an actual fire. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A report was filed. The vehicle was deemed totaled and was towed. There were no injuries and no medical assistance was needed. The contact did not speak with the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 VOLVO TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL 45 DEGREES TO THE LEFT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. AS THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER SOME BUMPS IN THE ROAD, A THUMP COULD BE FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND UPON INSPECTION, SAW THAT THE U-BOLTS THAT SECURE THE FRONT AXEL TO THE RIGHT FRONT LEAF SPRING WERE VERY LOOSE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AFTER IT WAS INSPECTED BY A STATE TROOPER AND PLACED OUT OF SERVICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PAT SALMON AND SONS (1242 ORGILL AVE, MEMPHIS, TN 38106 (901) 774-1515). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NEVER HAD ANY SERVICE OR ALIGNMENT IN THE VEHICLE'S HISTORY. THE CONTACT STATED HE THOUGHT THAT THE U-BOLTS THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE U-BOLTS HAD LOST THEIR ELASTICITY AND MALFUNCTIONED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 409,228. ## VIN PASSED ## VOLVO TRUCK 2019 ##*DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE IS A COMPANY TRUCK*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OPERATES A 2019 VOLVO VNL 760. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE U-BOLTS USED TO CONNECT THE FRONT AXLES TO THE FRONT LEAF SPRINGS FAILED TO HOLD TENSION CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL ORIENTATION TO CHANGE AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL ORIENTATION WOULD AT TIMES BE AS MUCH AS 30 TO 45 DEGREES OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO PAT SALMON AND SONS TRUCKING LOCATED AT 1242 ORGILL AVE, MEMPHIS, TN 38106, WHO TIGHTENED THE U-BOLTS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 450,000. ## VIN PASSED ## VOLVO TRUCK 2019 VNL760 ##
TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL WHEN COASTING DOWN HILL, OR WHEN YOU LET UP OFF THE ACCELERATOR. DOESN'T THE REGULATIONS STATE THAT ' THE VEHICLE SHALL BE OPERATED IN GEAR AT ALL TIMES, EXCEPT AS NECESSARY TO SHIFT OR STOP'?
Showing 15 of 15 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Before You Buy, Check the Exact Volvo VNL
These pages show model-year patterns across 10years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Volvo VNL has 15 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Volvo VNL has 52 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 1 of the Volvo VNL's 15 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Good) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Volvo VNL vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Volvo VNL vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Volvo VNL has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Buyers Also Compare
How does the Volvo VNL stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.