Summary
The Volvo VHD has 37 recalls spanning 2000 through 2025, with the most serious recent issue affecting 2025 models equipped with Composilite EXS20 steerable lift axle suspensions, where a tie rod ball stud can fail and separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and raising the risk of a crash.
Several other 2025 recalls are also worth noting: wheel lug nuts may be improperly tightened, allowing a wheel to detach while driving. On 2022-2024 models, windshield wiper motor gears can wear out prematurely and leave the driver without wipers in poor weather. The 2021 model year has a king pin nut that may be missing or under-tightened, which can allow the steering knuckle to separate from the axle. On 2019-2024 vehicles, the passenger-side bench seat may not be adequately secured to the floor, allowing it to shift in a crash. The 2019 model year also had certain wide-base tires that could develop sidewall bulges. Going back to 2015-2017 models, incorrect axle weight rating labels on the certification sticker could lead operators to unknowingly overload the vehicle.
The 2012-2015 range has a transmission issue where the Eco-Roll feature can fail to re-engage the drivetrain after coasting, extending stopping distances. A separate 2012 issue involves driveshafts that can fracture along a weld seam and sever under torque. The 2009-2016 model years have non-greasable drag link ball joints that can let water and contaminants in, corroding the joint over time until it fails and causes complete loss of steering. The 2008 model year has a related ball joint seal defect on the drag link that allows corrosion and accelerated wear toward the same outcome. On 2011-2013 models, parking brake chambers can leak pressure, causing the brakes to drag when released and overheat to the point of fire.
From the mid-2000s, the 2007 model year has a steering shaft where the pinch bolt hole may be incorrectly located, causing the shaft to separate from the steering gear and leave the driver without steering. Also on 2006-2010 models equipped with air release fifth wheels, a brake valve can corrode and reduce braking performance. The 2004-2019 range has a lighting issue on vehicles fitted with snow plow lamp kits, where the snow plow headlights can operate without the marker and tail lamps, making the vehicle harder for others to see.
Earlier production covers a dense cluster of issues on 2000-2003 models. The 2003 model year has a drag link pinch bolt that can loosen and allow the steering drag link and pitman arm to separate, leaving the driver with no directional control, as well as cracked exhaust gas recirculation cooler pipes that can direct hot exhaust gases toward the air cleaner and cause a fire, and an electrical circuit breaker that may fail to stop an overheating short circuit before a fire starts. The 2002 model year has wheel spacers that can degrade or distort under heat, loosening the wheel nuts and potentially allowing a wheel to separate entirely, along with a wiring harness defect that can allow the engine pre-heater to overheat and damage nearby components. On 2000 models, multiple steering shaft defects can cause the steering to lock up, require excessive effort, or continue turning without returning to center
