Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Volvo VNL, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Suspension2
- Steering1
- Air bags1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Electrical system1
- Structure1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2012 Volvo VNL failed the safety check 3.62% of the time — 44% more often than the average 2012 passenger car (2.52%). Median odometer at inspection: 370,602 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
10 Transport Canada recalls for the 2012 Volvo VNL.
| 2015456 8 Oct 2015 | Structure On certain vehicles, the fifth wheel locking mechanisms could be susceptible to damage and/or wear. This could cause the locking mechanism to fail properly enga… |
| 2014528 20 Nov 2014 | Tires On certain vehicles with a governed road speed setting of 113 kilometers per hour (70MPH) or more that are outfitted with 295/60 R22.5 XZA2 Energy Tires and use… |
| 2014260 2 Jul 2014 | Brakes On certain model vehicles outfitted with enhanced cruise control and without side fairings, a programming error could result in the active braking feature of th… |
| 2013275 9 Aug 2013 | Visual System On certain vehicles, the windshield wipers may fail. Loss of windshield wiping capability, should it occur during a rainy/snowy day, may compromise the driver’… |
| 2013221 25 Jun 2013 | Other On certain vehicles, the secondary clutch disengagement switch may have been omitted during vehicle assembly or, in some instances, removed during servicing. A… |
| 2013126 21 Apr 2013 | Brakes On certain trucks, the brake chambers may develop an air leak. As a result, the parking brake may not fully release. Park brake drag could result in a fire ca… |
| 2013090 22 Mar 2013 | Electrical On certain trucks, the battery cables were fastened to the remote battery disconnect switch using incorrect hardware. In addition, the cables may be prone to c… |
| 2012032 1 Feb 2012 | Brakes On certain trucks equipped with Bendix ATR-6 Antilock Traction Relay valves, in extremely cold conditions (at or below -18 degrees Celsius), internal ATR valve … |
| 2011204 19 May 2011 | Powertrain On certain trucks, the driveshaft may not have been welded correctly during the manufacturing process. This could allow the driveshaft to fracture along the le… |
| 2011183 2 May 2011 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the slack adjuster housings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which could allow the housings to fracture and fail. As a result, the … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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 may loosen or possibly fail.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 components.
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.
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 VHD AND MODEL YEAR 2011-2013 VNL AND VNM VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 2, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2012, AND EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX ATR-6 TRACTION RELAY VALVES. IN EXTREMELY COLD CONDITIONS, THESE BENDIX RELAY VALVES MAY POTENTIALLY DEVELOP INTERNAL LEAKAGE. INTERNAL LEAKAGE CAN LEAD TO AIR PRESSURE BEING DELIVERED TO AFFECTED PRIMARY OR SECONDARY BRAKE CAUSING CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION.
VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 VNL AND VNM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 1, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2011. DURING THE COUPLING PROCESS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE DRIVER TO PARTIALLY CLOSE THE FIFTH WHEEL LOCK AND IF SOLELY RELYING ON A TUG TEST (PULL TEST), THE DRIVER MAY THINK THAT THE FIFTH WHEEL LOCK IS PROPERLY COUPLED TO THE TRAILER KING PIN WHEN IN FACT IT IS NOT PROPERLY COUPLED.
VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 VHD, VNL, AND VNM TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A MERITOR DRIVELINE. THE TUBING USED TO ASSEMBLE THE DRIVELINES HAS A NONCONFORMING SEAM WELD WITH INSUFFICIENT BONDING OF THE MATERIAL.
VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 VHD, VNL, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 VNM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 15, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH GUNITE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS. DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE "KNITTING" OF THE IRON AT THE TIME OF CASTING, INADEQUATE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING CAN OCCUR, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE HOUSING TO BREAK AT THE HANDLE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING LOADS.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volvo told its dealers about the 2012 Volvo VNL: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10251325 | CBR - Telematics Gateway (TGW) Connect Ability Issues. |
| 10251323 | CBR - Active "Set Park Brake" Message On Drivers Information Display (DID) |
| 10251319 | CBR - Automated Manual Transmission ( AMT ) Flywheel Pilot Bearing Wear On Input Shaft. |
| 10249569 | CBR: TGW Will Not Connect After SIM Card Replacement |
| 10248063 | CBR: 11L Engine - Air Conditioner (A/C) Line Damaged At Bracket - Model Year 2007 to Present. |
| 10241906 | TSB: Barksdale Leveling Valve, Leak Test |
| 10241904 | CBR: Volvo VHD & VN Models - Vehicle Wil Not Start, PTO Active Message Displayed In Cluster, PTO Light On When PTO Switch Is Turned Off |
| 10240244 | CBR: Programming Failure - Chassis With Cummins Engine And An Allison Transmission |
| 10225704 | Volvo Chassis - ( AMT, I-Shift ) - Transmission Grinding When Downshifting ; Range Synchronizer (Synchro) Timing Procedure - US07 And Newer |
| 10224584 | Expendable Items Parts List. |
| 10222270 | TSB-Charge Air Cooler t-clamp install. |
| 10219421 | Engine Control Module (EMS) Software (MSW) Information August 2022; Improvement List (Change Log) - US21+OBD22 (13L VGT, TC) And US17+OBD22 (11L) Emissions |
| 10219302 | Part information for AMT input shaft repair kits and the shim kit that is required for repair. |
| 10215308 | Volvo Chassis - Equipped with An Automated Manual Transmission (AMT, iShift) - SNV 19-002 - AMT Oil Filter Housing Corrosion |
| 10215306 | Volvo Chassis - Drag Link Inspection And Replacement Criteria |
| 10215283 | AMT Control Housing Bench Testing - False Failures |
| 10215282 | DEF Level (UQLS) Sensor Troubleshooting Guide - US17+OBD16 Emissions and Newer |
| 10215281 | Programming Failure - Chassis With Cummins Engine And An Allison Transmission |
| 10215279 | NOx Sensor Troubleshooting Guide - US10+OBD13 And Newer Emissions |
| 10215277 | DTC U012100 - Lost Communication With Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Control Module, No Additional Information |
| 10215276 | (Back Office) - Cruise Control Inoperative After Updating Software VECU5 Without ESP Package (UESP) |
| 10215271 | DEF Pump Troubleshooting Guide - US10+OBD13 And Newer Emissions |
| 10215270 | Temperature Sensor Troubleshooting Guide - US10+OBD13 And Newer |
| 10215265 | 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 |
| 10215263 | Unable To Retrieve "On Request" Messages For PeopleNet Or Omnitracs Modules Installed On The DL5 Data Link; Third Party Electronic Log Device Not Reporting Certain Data |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting
Windshield Wiper Failures
Stop Lamp Switch Signal
Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation