2008 Volvo VNM: complaints, problems and recalls

THE FOLLOWING COMPLAINT IS REGARDING A 2008 VOLVO TRUCK (MODEL VNM 200, 2 AXLE DAYCAB). I WAS DRIVING THIS MODEL OF TRUCK PULLING TWO TRAILERS AT THE TIME OF MY CRASH. THIS VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT FRONT-END DAMAGE. HOWEVER, THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE 15 NEAR EXIT 36 IN UTAH. I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN I COLLIDED WITH A BOULDER. THE IMPACT WITH THE BOULDER WAS NEAR THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER OF THE BUMPER, ALSO STRIKING THE RIGHT STEER TIRE AND HITTING VARIOUS OTHER PART…

Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10220749 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2007-03-16 (March 16, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE AXLE HOUSINGS MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH STEEL THAT WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FATIGUE FAILURE OVER TIME.

Consequence: IF A FATIGUE FAILURE OCCURS AND IS LEFT UNATTENDED, THE AXLE MAY LOCK UP OR THE END OF THE AXLE COULD COME OFF, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND INSPECT THE AXLES AND REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 9, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Reported: 2007-07-24 (July 24, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE NUT USED TO RETAIN THE STEERING SHAFT MAY OR MAY NOT BE A LOCK NUT THAT HAS THE LOCKING FEATURE. A LOCK NUT IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESISTANCE TO ENSURE THAT THE NUT DOES NOT COME LOOSE.

Consequence: IF THE NUT WERE TO COME LOOSE, THE STEERING SHAFT COULD POTENTIALLY SEPARATE RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFT PINCH BOLTS AND LOCKNUTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Reported: 2007-08-07 (August 7, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, AN UNPROTECTED LEAD IN THE THERMOSWITCH OF THE HEATER MAY MAKE CONTACT WITH ANOTHER POST POSSIBLY CREATING A SHORT CIRCUIT, WHICH CAN RESULT IN CONTINUOUS OPERATION OF THE HEATING ELEMENT.

Consequence: IF THE CONDITION EXISTS AND THE KEY IS LEFT ON WITHOUT FUEL IN THE FILTER, THE HEATING ELEMENT MAY HEAT TO A POINT WHERE A FLAME BECOMES PRESENT AT THE TIP OF THE ELEMENT WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THERMOSWITCH AND WILL REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Reported: 2007-09-10 (September 10, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE HOOD RESTRAINT CYLINDER DOES NOT CONTAIN ENOUGH DAMPENING TO ADEQUATELY RESTRAIN THE HOOD.

Consequence: THE CYLINDERS COULD POSSIBLY SEPARATE, WHICH WOULD LEAVE THE HOOD UNRESTRAINED WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING THE HOOD.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOOD RESTRAINT CYLINDERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Reported: 2007-10-23 (October 23, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A SAF HOLLAND SIMPLEX FIFTH WHEEL, THE LEVER ARM PIVOT BOLT MAY HAVE BEEN OVER TIGHTENED. AN OVER TIGHTENED PIVOT BOLT CAN DISTORT THE PIVOT BOLT SPACER SLEEVE, WHICH MAY PREVENT THE FIFTH WHEEL LATCH JAW FROM CLOSING AND LATCHING SECURELY AROUND THE TRAILER KING PIN.

Consequence: THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE PIVOT BOLT CAN BECOME LOOSE WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE DRIVER COULD DRIVE AWAY AND THE TRAILER COULD BECOME DISENGAGED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PIVOT BOLT AND SLEEVE WITH A HEX HEAD SHOULDER BOLT AND WASHER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Reported: 2007-11-19 (November 19, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING GEAR TO THE FRAME MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.

Consequence: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Reported: 2007-12-14 (December 14, 2007)

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE CIRCUIT PROTECTION (I.E. AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS) USED TO PROTECT THE VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION.

Consequence: IF A SHORT CIRCUIT OCCURS AND IS LEFT UNTREATED, COMPONENTS AND WIRING MAY BE SUBJECT TO OVERHEATING WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WITH FUSES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Reported: 2009-05-21 (May 21, 2009)

VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING 127,764 MY 2001-2008 VHD, VNL, VNM, AND MY 2005-2008 VT TRUCKS. A SEAL MAY FAIL ALLOWING WATER AND CONTAMINANTS TO SEEP INTO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS A SHORT CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR, WHICH OVER TIME COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: VOLVO WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR FREE OF CHARGE. SINCE THIS RECALL INVOLVES A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES, VOLVO WILL RELEASE THE RECALL IN STAGES AS PARTS ARE RECEIVED. PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THE VEHICLES LOCATED IN THE REGIONS/STATES THAT HAVE A CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

Reported: 2010-10-12 (October 12, 2010)

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 VHD, VNL, VNM, AS WELL AS 2008-2010 VT VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." THE TIRE DESCRIPTION MAY BE INCORRECT ON THE VEHICLE'S CERTIFICATION LABEL.

Consequence: THE MISINFORMATION ON THESE LABELS COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE OVERLOADING THAT CAN INCREASE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LABELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Reported: 2013-06-26 (June 26, 2013)

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.

Consequence: Without a signal to disengage the clutch when the brakes are applied, the distance required to stop the truck may lengthen, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volvo Trucks will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the vehicles if necessary. The recall began on August 26, 2013. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1303. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.