Summary
The 2000 Volvo VHD has 9 recalls, the most serious being multiple steering system defects that can make the wheel lock up, resist turning, or continue turning on its own without returning to center.
Several distinct steering problems are present. A rubber boot on the lower steering column's universal joint can become caught in the joint itself, sharply increasing steering effort to the point of lock-up. Separately, when the adjustable steering column is set to its lowest position, the telescoping steering shaft can bottom out and press sideways against the steering gear input shaft. Over time, this damages the input shaft and can cause the steering wheel to pull unevenly or keep turning after the driver initiates a turn, requiring extra effort to bring the truck back to straight. On the brake side, trucks built with a steerable auxiliary axle and certain Meritor-Wabco relay valves may have a valve that sticks open after a high-pressure release, draining air from either the service brakes or the parking brake system entirely. There is also a safety restraint concern on trucks equipped with the optional two-man passenger bench seat: the weld holding the center seatbelt's mounting bracket may not be strong enough to hold under crash loads.