Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Volvo VNL, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train7
- Service brakes2
- Suspension2
- Unknown or other1
- Structure1
- Steering1
- Wheels1
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 2016 Volvo VNL failed the safety check 1.83% of the time — 7% less often than the average 2016 passenger car (1.97%). Median odometer at inspection: 336,599 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Recalls in Canada
6 Transport Canada recalls for the 2016 Volvo VNL.
| 2017425 1 Sept 2017 | Steering On certain vehicles, the castellated nut and cotter pin on the steer axle may not have been tightened to specification. This could cause the tie rod to become l… |
| 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… |
| 2016076 18 Feb 2016 | Steering On certain vehicles, a defect in the ball joint seals on the drag link could allow corrosion to form in the joint, leading to accelerated wear. This could resul… |
| 2016077 18 Feb 2016 | Steering On certain vehicles manufactured with a 2-piece steering shaft, the lower or upper steering shaft may disconnect from the coupler. Separation would result in co… |
| 2015561 24 Nov 2015 | Steering On certain vehicles manufactured with a 2-piece steering shaft, the bolt torque on the joint that couples the upper and lower steering shaft could be lower than… |
| 2015495 22 Oct 2015 | Engine On certain vehicles, the Engine Control Module (ECM) may develop an internal electrical short circuit that could blow a fuse in the ECM's electrical supply circ… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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 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 compromised, possibly resulting in accelerated wear and failure of the ball joint.
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 steering shaft may not have been properly tightened. Either condition can lead to separation of the steering shaft.
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 mechanism of the parking brake section of the Life Seal actuator.
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 2016 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. |
| 10251317 | CBR - Driveline Noise, Suspension Ride Height Too High, Suspension Will Not Exhaust - Chassis Built 2016w01 And Newer |
| 10249569 | CBR: TGW Will Not Connect After SIM Card Replacement |
| 10248086 | 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. |
| 10248063 | CBR: 11L Engine - Air Conditioner (A/C) Line Damaged At Bracket - Model Year 2007 to Present. |
| 10244825 | 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. |
| 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 |
| 10240252 | CBR: Volvo DEF Dosing Valve Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) P202D00, P208E00, P103B00 - US10+OBD13 And Newer Emissions |
| 10240244 | CBR: Programming Failure - Chassis With Cummins Engine And An Allison Transmission |
| 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 |
| 10225683 | Vehicle Overspeed Warning Comes Active At A Lower Speed Than Expected; Vehicle Overspeed Warning In Driver Information Display (DID) - Model Year 2018 And Newer With New Style Instrument Cluster |
| 10225675 | Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) P24F600 Or P24F700 - US14+OBD15 Emissions And Newer, Model Year 2016 And Newer |
| 10224584 | Expendable Items Parts List. |
| 10222288 | Diagnostic Trouble Code P200200 - Diagnostic Information; US14+OBD16 And Newer Emissions |
| 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 |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting
Ride Quality
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation