- The problem
- Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2004-2019 Volvo VHD trucks equipped with snow plow lamp preparation kits. The snow plow headlights can be turned on without other exterior lights, and high beam indicator will not work when the snow plow high beams are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- The risk
- The driver may operate the vehicle with the snow plow headlights on but the marker and tail lamps off, reducing the vehicle's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the software related to the plow lights, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1804.
Vehicle safety record
2004 Volvo VHD Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2004 Volvo VHD with NHTSA, most often about the visibility & wipers (1) and the wheels & tires (1). It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in October 2018 for the exterior lighting. For comparison, the 2003 has 3 and the 2005 has 3.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical VHD year, for its age
#311 most complained-about 2004 vehicle
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2004 Volvo VHD problems
Share of all 3 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2004 Volvo VHD recalls 7
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Volvo is recalling certain model year 2002-2013 VHD and VN trucks, manufactured from August 4, 2000, through June 22, 2012, and equipped with bench passenger seats. The seat belt d-ring weld may not be sufficient enough to meet the seat belt pull test. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, an insufficient seat belt weld may prevent the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant. This increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
- The fix
- Volvo Trucks of America will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspected d-ring, free of change. The safety recall began on May 10, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If this happens a short circuit may occur, which over time could possibly lead to a vehicle fire.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- On certain trucks, the wheel spacer may become distorted from heat which potentially could lead to a loss of clamp that may result in loose wheel nuts.
- The risk
- If the wheel nuts loosen for any reason, damage to the wheel studs and wheel may occur, and may lead to a complete separation of the wheels from the truck which could result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the wheel spacers and the wheel equipment (wheels,studs, and hub) will be inspected for damage and replaced if necessary free of charge. The recall began on june 26, 2006. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
- The problem
- On certain trucks equipped with d12d engines, the exhaust gas recirculation (egr) cooler inlet pipes or the pipes that connect the egr valves to the cooler may crack or break.
- The risk
- If the pipes or the cooler inlet pipes fail and are left untreated, the air cleaner and inner fender may be subject to hot exhaust gases, which could lead to a fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and repair the egr cooler pipes as required and install a heat shield free of charge. An interim owner letter was mailed on february 17, 2006, to advise on precautions that the owner can take until parts become available. Owners are being notified starting march 3, 2006, that parts are now available. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
- The problem
- On certain trucks equipped with valeo wiper systems, the wiper motor may be susceptive to salt intrusion that could possibly lead to a condition where the connector overheats to a point where the connector could ignite.
- The risk
- If this occurs, excessive heat and smoke could result in an under hood fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the connector plate on the windshield wiper motor. Phase 2 of the recall began on november 1, 2004. Owners should contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
What owners say
Be the first VHD owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
3 complaints about the 2004 Volvo VHD
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
1. A tri axle truck owned by dahn tibbett and manufactured by volvo model vhd-84f was involved in three separate failures of the wheel studs which are part of the rear wheel hub assembly. The referenced truck was used on paved roadway hauling of sand, loam and aggregate material. All hauling was done with legal loads that were weighed on registered scales. 2. The three failures are described in sequence. A. The subject vehicle was on the side of the paved road and the studs failed. The owner dahn tibbett...
Read the full complaint
replaced the wheel hub, two rims and wheel seal. The studs that failed were on the left rear hub. B. The subject vehicle was traveling on a highway with a load and the right rear tires became detached from the truck at a speed of 55 mph. The two tires were recovered and it was apparent that the lugs were still tightened and the lugs had sheared from the hub. C. The subject vehicle was traveling on a secondary paved road with a load at a speed of 30 mph and seven studs sheared from the hub. The left rear hub assembly was involved in this episode. Part number of hub is volvo part # 20478408 right rear volvo part # 20478407 left rear 3. The following procedures were done to correct the lug failure. A. The old lugs was replace also 2 rims, oil seal b. The old lugs were replaced, replaced hub 2 rims 2 tires, shock and oil seal c. The old lugs were removed and replaced. The dealer is o'connell based in maine. Volvo was not contacted about incident #1. Volvo was contacted about incident #2 and a representative of volvo compensated dahn tibbett for the cost of parts only, admitting no structural failure occured.Volve was informed of incident #3 and volvo has said that they have no liability in this incident. *Jb
On may 9th, we purchased a new volvo v 40 station wagon from putnam volvo in burlingame, california. On may 17 2004 this brand new car stalled dead while moving forward in traffic, a week after it was purchased. We called the dealership and they blew us off and said they had never heard of such a problem and that it was probably "bad gas." A few weeks later in july 2004 itt stalled dead again while making a turn at a busy intersection (mileage 3,612). We could have been killed! We took it immediately into the...
Read the full complaint
dealership and said it was unsafe to drive. Two weeks went by and the putnam volvo dealership where we purchased it said they could not find a problem. The mechanic in service let it slip that they had seen 4 other volvos with this problem. We think this is a very serious, life threatening problem and wonder if someone has to die before this is made public and corrected. We have lost faith in the safety of this car which is the sole reason we purchased a volvo. Volvo finally demanded that we pick up the car even though they never could replicate the problem nor would they guarnatee that it was fixed. I have to commute on highway 5 and obviously this kind of problem would be deadly if it stalled dead on me in this situation. In the past we have bought hondas because of their mechanical reliability but the news media has lead us to believe that volvos were the safest car.*Ak
WINTER WEATHER, RAIN, SNOW ON HIGHWAY. *AK
Volvo VHD: every year compared
All VHD years2004 Volvo VHD vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Volvo VHD | 3 | 7 | C | |
| 2004 Volvo S60 | 198 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Volvo V70 | 89 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2004 Volvo S40 | 50 | 6 | D | Compare |
| 2004 Volvo S80 | 50 | 5 | D | Compare |
| 2004 Volvo C70 | 16 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2004 Volvo VNL | 5 | 6 | C | Compare |
| 2004 Volvo 780 | 5 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2004 Volvo V40 | 4 | 3 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2004 Volvo VHD
Does the 2004 Volvo VHD have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2004 Volvo VHD: exterior lighting (October 2018); seat belts (October 2012); motor (May 2009); fuses and circuit breakers (December 2007) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Volvo VHD?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the visibility & wipers (1), wheels & tires (1), engine & cooling (1).
How many complaints has the 2004 Volvo VHD had?
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on December 10, 2004 and the latest on September 20, 2005. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2004 Volvo VHD a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Volvo VHD year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Volvo VHD years have the most complaints?
2003 (3), 2004 (3), 2005 (3). See every Volvo VHD year compared.
What should I do if my 2004 Volvo VHD has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data