The defect
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.
The risk
Loose or chafed cables may lead to overheating of the battery cable and switch which may result in a fire.
The remedy
Volvo will send owners an interim letter and dealers will replace and relocate the remote battery disconnect switch. The recall began on May 7, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo's recall support line at 1-877-800-4945 and select option 1.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Volvo VHD | 2012, 2013, 2014 |
| Volvo VNL | 2012, 2013, 2014 |
| Volvo VNM | 2012, 2013, 2014 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo VHD | 2012 | 0 | 11 |
| Volvo VHD | 2013 | 1 | 6 |
| Volvo VHD | 2014 | 0 | 6 |
| Volvo VNL | 2012 | 5 | 14 |
| Volvo VNL | 2013 | 7 | 14 |
| Volvo VNL | 2014 | 8 | 12 |
| Volvo VNM | 2012 | 0 | 10 |
| Volvo VNM | 2013 | 0 | 9 |
| Volvo VNM | 2014 | 0 | 10 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2013
76 of the 627 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2013 concerned the electrical system; Volvo Trucks North America filed 105 campaigns in all.
| 13V640000 20 Dec 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V639000 20 Dec 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V642000 19 Dec 2013 | Nova Bus |
| 13V635000 18 Dec 2013 | Zero Motorcycles Inc. |
| 13V627000 17 Dec 2013 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 13V589000 22 Nov 2013 | Maserati North America, Inc. |
| 13V570000 15 Nov 2013 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 13V566000 13 Nov 2013 | General Motors LLC |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2013