- 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
2012 Volvo VNL Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2012 Volvo VNL with NHTSA, most often about the suspension (2) and the brakes (1). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 3 injuries. It is covered by 14 recalls, the latest in October 2015 for the fifth wheel assembly. For comparison, the 2011 has 0 and the 2013 has 7.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical VNL year, for its age
#239 most complained-about 2012 vehicle
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 14
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2012 Volvo VNL problems
Share of all 5 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2012 Volvo VNL recalls 14
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 2012-2014 Volvo VNL trucks manufactured December 1, 2011, to September 1, 2013, equipped with certain Electric Auxiliary Power Units (APU), part number BA600, manufactured by Idle Free Systems (IFS). The affected APUs have metal housings whose mounting points may crack and tear. Additionally, the mounting bolts of the power units may loosen or possibly fail.
- The risk
- If the mounting points crack and tear or the attaching bolts loosen or fail, the power unit may detach from the truck, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Volvo will notify owners and IFS dealers will inspect the APU for damage and, where needed, install a welded gusset upgrade kit to strengthen the APU C-channels. All units will receive stronger clamping brackets. The recall began on December 10, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586, or IFS customer service at 1-920-206-9333. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1506.
- The problem
- Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured May 31, 2011, to December 1, 2014. In the affected trucks, the trailer hand brake handle may not to return to the off position due to being restricted by the cut out in the trim panel.
- The risk
- If the brake handle does return to the off position, the trailer service brakes may drag causing the wheel end to overheat and potentially cause a wheel end fire or tire blowout. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the trim panel slot and make it longer, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-258-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1504.
- 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 North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012, 2014-2015 VHD, 2012-2015 VNL, and 2014-2015 VNM trucks manufactured June 16, 2011, to August 18, 2014, and equipped with the Eco-Roll option. The affected trucks may fail to re-engage the vehicle drivetrain after using the Eco-Roll feature.
- The risk
- If the drivetrain does not re-engage, the vehicle's stopping distance may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Volvo has notified owners, and dealers will update the Eco-Roll software, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1406.
- 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 2012-2014 VHD, VNL, and VNM trucks, manufactured from April 18, 2011, through March 14, 2013, and equipped with a horizontally mounted remote battery disconnect switch. The remote battery disconnect switch was manufactured with incorrect hardware allowing the cables to loosen. Additionally, as mounted, the cables may vibrate and chafe.
- The risk
- Loose or chafed cables may lead to overheating of the battery cable and switch which may result in a fire.
- The fix
- Volvo will send owners an interim letter and dealers will replace and relocate the remote battery disconnect switch. The recall began on May 7, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo's recall support line at 1-877-800-4945 and select option 1.
- 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 2012 vhd, vnl, and vnm trucks equipped with a meritor driveline. The tubing used to assemble the drivelines has a nonconforming seam weld with insufficient bonding of the material.
- The risk
- This can result in seam weld fracture when torque is applied. Once the tube seam weld is fractured, the driveline may become inoperable, which may result in a disabled vehicle or debris from the driveline falling onto the roadway, both of which can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the drivelines free of charge. The safety recall began on july 25, 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.
What owners say
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5 complaints about the 2012 Volvo VNL
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
I both the volvo 780 semi truck 8 months ago and I do still have a problem. I do replace whole suspension, make a 6 times alignment and truck still sway in the road. Dealer from connecticut do test drive and he said my whole cab sway from right to the left. He recommended replacement cab shocks and I did, just whole cab it's sway any way. Poor wather like wind it's is difficult driving, road zone not even lane it's terrible and awcorse in the take a curve I have to slow down to the minimum speed, make a denger...
Read the full complaint
for other driver. I will be put truck for shop do investigation, just I'm put in almost $10.000 For repair like I do not have to replace my whole suspension and other stuff, also I still have a truck payment and insurance and I have to to run. Like I read other complain, other drivers have a similar problem. Plese do something. Truly wesley o/o . Have a nice day
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volvo vnl. The contact stated that there was a manufacturer recall on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be serviced, but the contact was uncertain if the vehicle was repaired. After the repair, the vehicle failed to start and rode roughly. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was waiting for them to provide a repair solution. The recall specifics and failure mileage were not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 (na) volvo vnl. The contact stated that while getting off the top bunk of the vehicle, the contact became injured and received nerve damage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the floor of the vehicle failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,500. The vin was not available.
Drag link failed, a known issue to the manufacturer resulting in total loss of control. Crashed into center wall then thru guardrail and down embankment. Air bags failed to deploy also. Passenger was hurt very bad, driver slightly hurt. Large truck out of control on the interstate from a problem the company knew to exist is criminal. Truck was well maintained per volvo instructions. 329090 Miles on the truck. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volvo vnl 670. The vehicle was included in the recall under nhtsa campaign id number: 12v036000 (service brakes, air:supply:check valve) and was taken to the dealer for recall repairs. The recall repair was a temporary repair which included disabling the traction control. The manufacturer did not provide a permanent remedy for the defect. The contact stated that she no longer felt safe driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 118,390.
Volvo VNL: every year compared
All VNL years2012 Volvo VNL vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Volvo VNL | 5 | 14 | F | |
| 2012 Volvo S60 | 121 | 8 | F | Compare |
| 2012 Volvo C70 | 23 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 2012 Volvo C30 | 10 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2012 Volvo S80 | 8 | 3 | B | Compare |
| 2012 Volvo VT | 1 | 1 | B | 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 2012 Volvo VNL
Does the 2012 Volvo VNL have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 14 recalls for the 2012 Volvo VNL: fifth wheel assembly (October 2015); electrical system (October 2015); service brakes (August 2015); tires (November 2014) 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 2012 Volvo VNL?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the suspension (2), brakes (1), electrical system (1).
How many complaints has the 2012 Volvo VNL had?
5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 2, 2012 and the latest on June 12, 2017. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 3 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2012 Volvo VNL a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 22 out of 100 (grade F: far 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 2012 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