- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2008 Volvo VNL Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2008 Volvo VNL with NHTSA, most often about the steering (1) and the body, doors & structure (1). It is covered by 12 recalls, the latest in June 2013 for the clutch assembly. For comparison, the 2007 has 15 and the 2009 has 2.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical VNL year, for its age
#338 most complained-about 2008 vehicle
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 12
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2008 Volvo VNL problems
Share of all 3 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2008 Volvo VNL recalls 12
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 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.
- The risk
- The misinformation on these labels could lead to a vehicle overloading that can increase risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- 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
- Volvo trucks is recalling 366 my 2006-2009 vnl trucks equipped with super single tires, bendix brake cam tubes, and volvo air suspension. The vibration frequency from the suspension with super single tires may result in a fatigue crack of the mounting brackets for the brake cam tube.
- The risk
- If left untreated, the crack can propagate and cause failure of the brake cam tube support bracket(s), which can result in loss of brakes at the corresponding wheel end increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will add a support bracket to the brake cam tube. The recall began on june 30, 2009. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
- The problem
- On certain trucks, an incorrect software parameter was loaded which resulted in the diesel particulate filter (dpf) 'inhibit' function being disabled. The 'inhibit' function is a means for the driver to stop a dpf regeneration from occurring if a vehicle is in a location that may present a hazardous situation.
- The risk
- If the driver believes that regeneration has been stopped when it has not, it could result in a fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will change the control parameters. The recall began on february 15, 2008. 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 bolts that attach the steering gear to the frame may not have been tightened to the specified torque.
- The risk
- Loss of steering control could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- On certain trucks, the hood restraint cylinder does not contain enough dampening to adequately restrain the hood.
- The risk
- The cylinders could possibly separate, which would leave the hood unrestrained when opening and closing the hood.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the nut were to come loose, the steering shaft could potentially separate resulting in loss of steering control which could cause a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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3 complaints about the 2008 Volvo VNL
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo vnl. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for an inspection where it was informed that the steering column was fractured. The vehicle was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Prior to this particular failure, the vehicle had the steering column replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 10v282000 (steering) however the vin was not included. The failure mileage was 80,605.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo vnl. The contact stated that the front drivers side door failed to open from the outside. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 volvo vnl. The contact stated that while parked on an incline and appling the parking brake, the vehicle unexpectedly rolled away. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to an independent auto mechanic for diagnosis. The technician stated that the brake slack adjuster on the second axle was faulty. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 415,000.
Volvo VNL: every year compared
All VNL years2008 Volvo VNL vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Volvo VNL | 3 | 12 | D | |
| 2008 Volvo XC70 | 39 | 8 | F | Compare |
| 2008 Volvo XC90 | 29 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2008 Volvo S80 | 26 | 7 | D | Compare |
| 2008 Volvo C70 | 22 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2008 Volvo S40 | 16 | 2 | B | Compare |
| 2008 Volvo V70 | 11 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 2008 Volvo S60 | 10 | 2 | B | Compare |
| 2008 Volvo C30 | 8 | 2 | 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 2008 Volvo VNL
Does the 2008 Volvo VNL have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2008 Volvo VNL: clutch assembly (June 2013); labels (October 2010); motor (May 2009); service brakes, air (January 2009) 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 2008 Volvo VNL?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the steering (1), body, doors & structure (1), brakes (1).
How many complaints has the 2008 Volvo VNL had?
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 3, 2013 and the latest on March 30, 2016. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2008 Volvo VNL a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 32 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Volvo VNL 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 VNL years have the most complaints?
2007 (15), 2016 (12), 2014 (8). See every Volvo VNL year compared.
What should I do if my 2008 Volvo VNL 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