- The problem
- Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured June 21, 2010, to December 14, 2012. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, have a locking mechanism that may fail to operate or to properly engage.
- The risk
- If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly detach from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Volvo will notify owners, and Fontaine dealers will replace the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel, free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1507.
Vehicle safety record
2011 Volvo VNL Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2011 Volvo VNL have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 12 recalls, the latest in October 2015 for the fifth wheel assembly.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical VNL year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 12
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2011 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 Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 VAH and VNL trucks manufactured May 12, 2010, to October 31, 2014. The affected vehicles may experience premature tire failure during certain operating conditions such as high speeds, heavy load, and high road temperature.
- The risk
- Premature tire failure could increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tires and set the road speed limiter, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1405.
- The problem
- Volvo Trucks of North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 VNL and 2014-2015 VNM trucks manufactured November 17, 2010, through February 5, 2014, and equipped with enhanced cruise control and without side fairings. In the affected vehicles, the active braking component of the enhanced cruise control can become disabled.
- The risk
- If the active braking feature becomes disabled, the vehicle may not automatically activate the brakes as intended when the enhanced cruise control system is in use, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1402.
- The problem
- Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 VAH, VHD, VNL, and VNM trucks manufactured February 1, 2010, through September 30, 2010 and June 1, 2011, through November 30, 2011. The windshield wiper motor may fail.
- The risk
- Inoperable wipers may result in poor driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Volvo will notify owners and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor, free of charge. The recallbegan on December 6, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1304.
- 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.
- The problem
- Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VHD and VNL vehicles manufactured December 13, 2010, through July 17, 2012. These vehicles are equipped with an MGM Type 24 J-series piston parking brake chamber. The brake chambers may leak pressure allowing the parking brake to drag when it is supposed to be released. Brake dragging could lead to overheated brake components.
- The risk
- Overheated brake components could result in a fire.
- The fix
- Volvo will notify owners and the brake chambers will be replaced as needed, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or before, June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000. Volvos campaign recall number is RVXX1302.
- The problem
- Volvo is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 vhd and model year 2011-2013 vnl and vnm vehicles, manufactured from december 2, 2010, through january 18, 2012, and equipped with bendix atr-6 traction relay valves. In extremely cold conditions, these bendix relay valves may potentially develop internal leakage. Internal leakage can lead to air pressure being delivered to affected primary or secondary brake causing continuous brake application.
- The risk
- Inadvertent brake application can cause the brakes to overheat and lead to a fire. Inadvertent brake application can cause the wheels to lock-up leading the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Volvo will notify owners, and provide a temporary repair until bendix develops a permanent remedy. A permanent remedy has been developed and notification to owners began on april 27, 2012. This service will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
- The problem
- Volvo trucks is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 vnl and vnm trucks manufactured from may 1, 2010, through january 31, 2011. During the coupling process, it is possible for the driver to partially close the fifth wheel lock and if solely relying on a tug test (pull test), the driver may think that the fifth wheel lock is properly coupled to the trailer king pin when in fact it is not properly coupled.
- The risk
- If the driver drives away with a trailer that is not properly coupled, the trailer can come loose and potentially result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the lock bar free of charge. The safety recall began on december 7, 2011. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
- The problem
- Volvo trucks is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 vhd, vnl, and model year 2012 vnm trucks manufactured from october 15, 2010, through january 31, 2011, and equipped with gunite automatic slack adjusters. Due to an incomplete "knitting" of the iron at the time of casting, inadequate structural integrity of the slack adjuster housing can occur, which could cause the housing to break at the handle under normal operating loads.
- The risk
- Slack adjusters with this flow notch could crack under normal braking conditions causing loss of braking which could result in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Volvo trucks will notify owners and dealers will replace the subject slack adjusters free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about august 12, 2011. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
- The problem
- Volvo trucks is recalling certain model year 2011 vnl trucks manufactured from march 23, 2010, through december 22, 2010. There is a potential for the vehicle to start without warning because of an unintended path to ground that exists. This can occur when either the negative battery cable is disconnected at the battery/fusible link or if the fusible link opens as a result of a short circuit.
- The risk
- This presents a risk of injury with nonoperational conditions such as when the vehicle is being serviced.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace a wiring harness free of charge. The safety recall began on april 13, 2011. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
- 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 certain model year 2010-2011 vnl trucks. The adhesive used in the upper window in the bunk area to secure the glass may debond.
- The risk
- This could allow the glass to come loose and possibly fall out increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the window as required free of charge. The safety recall began on june 4, 2010. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 2011 Volvo VNL yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Volvo VNL: every year compared
All VNL years2011 Volvo VNL vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Volvo VNL | 0 | 12 | D | |
| 2011 Volvo C30 | 14 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 2011 Volvo C70 | 14 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2011 Volvo S80 | 5 | 4 | B | Compare |
| 2011 Volvo S40 | 5 | 2 | A | Compare |
| 2011 Volvo S60 | 5 | 6 | C | Compare |
| 2011 Volvo V50 | 2 | 1 | A | 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 2011 Volvo VNL
Does the 2011 Volvo VNL have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2011 Volvo VNL: fifth wheel assembly (October 2015); tires (November 2014); adaptive cruise control (June 2014); visibility / wiper (August 2013) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2011 Volvo VNL had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2011 Volvo VNL a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 34 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 2011 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