Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2016 Volvo VNL with NHTSA between 2016 and 2019.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 53
Against the median year of the Volvo VNL. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
63% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2016 Volvo VNL
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
746.7%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 11,000 mi
Suspension
213.3%
Median failure at 30,000 miles
Brakes
213.3%
Median failure at 39,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
16.7%
Median failure at 30,000 miles
Wheels
16.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Body & Structure
16.7%
Median failure at 120,000 miles
Steering
16.7%
Median failure at 5,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
112.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
112.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
112.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
337.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
225.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2016peak 3Jun 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 2016 Volvo VNL
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
AQ18005Opened 22 Oct 2018Closed 4 Aug 2023COMMUNICATION
Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting
On October 22, 2018, an Audit Query (AQ18-005) was opened to assess the completeness and timeliness of Volvo Group's early warning reporting, safety recalls, and communications submissions to the agency.NHTSA's investigation determined that Volvo Group failed to recall vehicles in a timely fashion and to comply with other recall and reporting requirements, including notifying owners of recalls and reporting death and injury incidents.NHTSA and Volvo Group entered into a Consent Order on January 27, 2023 to resolve AQ18-005.As part of the Consent Order, Volvo Group agreed to a total civil penal...
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Defect Petition (DP) assessment in response to a defect petition received from owners of a 2015 Volvo VNL 780 tractor.Prior to submitting the letter the owners had submitted two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ).Their concerns included: cab sway, cab alignment , and loss of control.The petitioners further allege that due to a failure of the suspension system caused by cab misalignment one of them sustained a back injury while seated at the work station in the sleeper berth while traveling.The office received a total of six (6) complaints (...
Recalls on the 2016 Volvo VNL
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201742527 units in Canada
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 loose in the steer axle, which would result in audible noise and/or looseness in steering. If the vehicle were continued to be operated in this condition, the tie rod could disconnect from the knuckle, resulting in a complete loss of control of a vehicle wheel, which would increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nuts on the tie rod, and replace the tie rod stud and knuckle as necessary.
Recall 2016643127 units in Canada
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 brake system, potentially affecting brake system function in cold weather conditions and increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the vehicle control unit.
Recall 20160772,809 units in Canada
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 complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: As an interim measure, dealers will drill a hole through the steering shaft and install a roll pin. When parts become available, dealers will replace the 2-piece steering shaft with a one piece shaft. Note: This recall supersedes recall 2015-561. Vehicles repaired under the previous recall will require re-inspection and potential repair.
Recall 2016076503 units in Canada
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 result in ball joint failure, potentially resulting in a loss of steering control which could increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the drag link on affected vehicles. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2015-466.
Recall 20155612,001 units in Canada
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 specification. This could cause the bolt to loosen, which may result in separation of the two shafts. Separation of the two shafts would result in complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Instructions will be sent to owners advising them to tighten the bolt as an interim measure. Dealers will inspect the steering shaft, and affect repairs as necessary. Note: this recall is superseded by recall 2016-077. Please see recall 2016-077 for more information. <a href="http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/detail.aspx?lang=eng&&rn=2016077">Click here for more information</a>
Recall 20154952 units in Canada
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 circuit. This could cause the engine to stall without warning and prevent the vehicle from being restarted. Engine stalling would result in lost propulsion which, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the ECM.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Taylorville, ILCrash
POWER TRAIN
FRONT WHEELS LOOSE FROM FACTOR AND DEALER DIDN'T CHECK, TIRES PSI 1/2 WHAT SHOULD BEEN , DRIVE SHAFT OUT OF PHASE . DAMAGE THE TRUCK MORE .I KNOW OF ABOUT 20 OF THESE TRUCK WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT PROBLEM . DEALER AND FACTOR WONT FIX/ THIS IS NOT SAFE
NHTSA complaint #11192711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylorville, ILCrash
WHEELS
FRONT WHEELS LOOSE FROM FACTOR AND DEALER DIDN'T CHECK, TIRES PSI 1/2 WHAT SHOULD BEEN , DRIVE SHAFT OUT OF PHASE . DAMAGE THE TRUCK MORE .I KNOW OF ABOUT 20 OF THESE TRUCK WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT PROBLEM . DEALER AND FACTOR WONT FIX/ THIS IS NOT SAFE
NHTSA complaint #11192711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,000 milesTaylorville, ILCrash
POWER TRAIN
VOLVO AND MACK DRIVE SHAFT OUT OF PHASE. I SHOWED MY DR. MY VIDEO OF MY TRUCK SHAKING. HE SAID YOU MIT AS WILL BE D W I
NHTSA complaint #11192317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 100 milesTaylorville, IL
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO VNL630. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ARRIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER WITH A REAR DRIVESHAFT THAT WAS NOT CALIBRATED. THE DRIVESHAFT WAS THREE TIMES OVER THE MAXIMUM SPECIFICATIONS WHERE THE TRANSMISSION AND DRIVESHAFT WERE ATTACHED. THE FAILURE IN MANUFACTURING CAUSED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF VIBRATION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED. CIT TRUCKS (LOCATED AT 3440 GATLIN DR, SPRINGFIELD, IL 62707, (217) 544-5300) AS WELL AS SEVERAL UNKNOWN DEALERS WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
NHTSA complaint #11220825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylorville, ILCrash
POWER TRAIN
FRONT WHEELS LOOSE FROM FACTOR AND DEALER DIDN'T CHECK, TIRES PSI 1/2 WHAT SHOULD BEEN , DRIVE SHAFT OUT OF PHASE . DAMAGE THE TRUCK MORE .I KNOW OF ABOUT 20 OF THESE TRUCK WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT PROBLEM . DEALER AND FACTOR WONT FIX/ THIS IS NOT SAFE
NHTSA complaint #11192711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylorville, ILCrash
WHEELS
FRONT WHEELS LOOSE FROM FACTOR AND DEALER DIDN'T CHECK, TIRES PSI 1/2 WHAT SHOULD BEEN , DRIVE SHAFT OUT OF PHASE . DAMAGE THE TRUCK MORE .I KNOW OF ABOUT 20 OF THESE TRUCK WITH THE DRIVE SHAFT PROBLEM . DEALER AND FACTOR WONT FIX/ THIS IS NOT SAFE
NHTSA complaint #11192711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,000 milesTaylorville, ILCrash
POWER TRAIN
VOLVO AND MACK DRIVE SHAFT OUT OF PHASE. I SHOWED MY DR. MY VIDEO OF MY TRUCK SHAKING. HE SAID YOU MIT AS WILL BE D W I
NHTSA complaint #11192317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylorville, IL
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO VNL SEMI-TRUCK. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. A SERIES OF INDEPENDENT MECHANICS CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVESHAFT WAS LOOSE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. VOMAC SALES AND SERVICE MACK (5556 EAST MARGARET DRIVE, TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA 47803, (812) 233-6406) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11121647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesTaylorville, IL
POWER TRAIN
MY STUPID DEALER CIT TRUCKS COULD NOT FIND Y MY TRUCK WAS SHAKING SO THEY PLAYED WITH TRANSMISSION PROGRAMING ITS AN I SHIFT NO CLUTCH PEDDLE . STONINGTON IL. GOT FUEL AT F.S. COMING BACK CROSS RAIL ROAD TRACKS AND TRIED TO STOP FOR RT 48 . THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT RELEASE .THIS THE 4 TIME .
NHTSA complaint #11057890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylorville, IL
POWER TRAIN
NEW VOLVO TRUCK MID MARCH 2016 IT HAD A SHAKE THAT GOT WORSE . MY DEALER CIT TRUCKS WAS TO STUPID FIND THE PROBLEM. ANTHER DEALER LOOK AT IT. THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT WAS OUT OF PHASE BUT HOW AFTER ALMOST 80000 MILES THE REAR ENDS ARE GOING OUT . MY TRUCK IS NOT THE ONLY ONE OUT THERE . VIDEOS CAN BE SEEN AT YOU TUBE- VOLVO SHAKES AND VOLVO TRUCK SHAKES
NHTSA complaint #11057886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylorville, IL
POWER TRAIN
VOLVO AND MACK TRUCKS DRIVE SHAFTS OUT OF PHASE. MAKING IT SHAKE AND EAT UP TIRES AND WEAR TRUCK OUT SHOULD BE RECALLED
NHTSA complaint #11005545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Taylorville, IL
SUSPENSION
VOLVO AND MACK TRUCKS DRIVE SHAFTS OUT OF PHASE. MAKING IT SHAKE AND EAT UP TIRES AND WEAR TRUCK OUT SHOULD BE RECALLED
NHTSA complaint #11005545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesTaylorville, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY NEW VOLVO TRUCK SHAKES AND STARTING TO HOP R JUMP 30K MILES HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/EU119G9VYCU
NHTSA complaint #10899068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesTaylorville, IL
SUSPENSION
MY NEW VOLVO TRUCK SHAKES AND STARTING TO HOP R JUMP 30K MILES HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/EU119G9VYCU
NHTSA complaint #10899068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesJackson, MS
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO VNL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CAB WOULD SWAY BACK AND FORTH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LEAN TO THE SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAB BUSHINGS WERE AND CAB NEEDED TO BE LEVELED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10864781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dacula, GA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CONTACT FELT AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION IN THE WHEELS. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT, ESPECIALLY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE DRUMS WERE CHANGED, BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10853489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesBuford, GA
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE ISSUE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
NHTSA complaint #10853273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,000 milesDonna, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO VNL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHOOK WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
NHTSA complaint #10849687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.