Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2013 Volvo VNL, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Tires2
- Service brakes1
- Structure1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Steering1
- Visibility1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 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 2013 Volvo VNL failed the safety check 1.10% of the time — 54% less often than the average 2013 passenger car (2.38%). Median odometer at inspection: 398,976 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
12 Transport Canada recalls for the 2013 Volvo VNL.
| 2016643 20 Dec 2016 | Brakes On certain vehicles equipped with an electronic air dryer, the operating parameters may have been set incorrectly. This could allow condensation into the air br… |
| 2016321 23 Jun 2016 | Powertrain On certain vehicles, the front axle beam may have been improperly heat treated, affecting material properties. This could lead to fracture of the axle beam at t… |
| 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… |
| 2015453 7 Oct 2015 | Electrical On certain vehicles equipped with an Idle Free Model BA600 Electric Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), the mounting points on the housing of the APU could crack or tea… |
| 2014529 20 Nov 2014 | Powertrain On certain vehicles equipped with Eco-Roll, which allows the transmission to disengage from the engine in certain situations to conserve fuel, a defect in the s… |
| 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… |
| 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… |
| 2012345 11 Oct 2012 | Wheels On certain vehicles, the wheel rims may have been manufactured incorrectly and could fail. A wheel separating from the vehicle could cause a loss of control an… |
| 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 … |
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 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.
Volvo Trucks North America, (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2013 VNM and VNL trucks manufactured April 16, 2012, to May 4, 2012. These vehicles are equipped with certain Meritor FF967 non-drive front steer axles that may have been incorrectly heat treated.
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 2013-2015 VNL trucks, and 2013-2014 VNM trucks equipped with certain Cummins Westport Model ISL G and ISX12 G engines. Condensation in the intake manifold may freeze during cold weather conditions and interfere with the proper operation of the intake manifold pressure sensor.
Volvo Trucks North America is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 VNL vehicles manufactured April 2, 2012, through May 3, 2013; and equipped with a Meritor RPL-20 driveline transmission. The driveshaft is too weak for this application and 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.
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 2013 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. |
| 10243461 | TSB: Aftertreatment Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Tank, Level Sensor, Replacement |
| 10243460 | TSB: Aftertreatment Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Tank, Level Sensor, Replacement |
| 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 |
| 10234763 | Keyless Drive receiver issues |
| 10225706 | Volvo DEF Pump Troubleshooting Guide - US10+OBD13 And Newer Emissions |
| 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) |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting
Ride Quality
Stop Lamp Switch Signal
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation