Summary
The Volvo VN has 52 recalls spanning the 1996 through 2026 model years, with the most serious recent issue being improperly routed power cables on 2025–2026 models that can short-circuit, stall the engine without warning, or start an underhood fire.
The 2025 and 2026 model years carry several additional high-severity issues. The 2025 VN has two separate steering failure risks: ball studs in the tie rod assemblies can fracture and cause sudden, complete loss of steering control, and a misseated plug in the steering gear valve housing can produce the same result. A third 2025 steering recall involves a drag link ball stud with the same failure mode and consequence. On 2025 models, an oversteer guidance system can malfunction and cause the steering wheel to oscillate on its own, and turbocharger bracket fasteners that were not tightened correctly can cause the turbo to fail and the engine to stall. The 2026 model year has improperly made roof marker light connectors that can leave the lights inoperative, and interior door handle cables that may not allow doors to be opened from inside. A trailer body control module issue on 2025 models can disable trailer lights entirely.
Stepping back to the 2022–2024 range, interrupted vehicle network communications on 2022–2024 models can invert the accelerator pedal signal and cause unintended acceleration. The 2022–2023 steering gear can fracture due to improper assembly and cause a complete loss of steering. On 2023–2024 models, a disconnected accelerator pedal sensor can prevent the engine from returning to idle. The 2023 model year also has an engine control module that can short internally and stall the engine without warning, and a software issue that can make the hazard light switch backlight invisible in low light. Sleeper cab models from 2022–2023 have cabinet bolts missing required washers, leaving the cabinets able to break free in a crash.
The 2019 model year has an optional passenger-side bench seat that may not be properly secured to the floor and can shift or detach in a crash. The 2021 model year, on trucks equipped with a Cummins X15d engine, has a software error that can invert the throttle signal and prevent the engine from returning to idle.
Going further back, 2009–2015 models are subject to front lower ball joint corrosion caused by compromised seals; when a ball joint fails, the socket separates and steering is lost entirely. The 2009 model year also has a drag link ball joint with the same corrosion and failure risk. The 2016 model year has two separate issues: a Cummins engine control module that can short and stall the engine, and a manual transmission that can stay locked in reverse when shifted to neutral and cause the truck to roll backward unexpectedly.
The 2007 model year has a steering shaft pinch bolt that, if it loosens, can allow the shaft to separate from the steering gear. The 2006 model year has three wheel and axle concerns: aluminum wheels that can develop cracks and fail, rear drive axle spindles that can fracture and cause a wheel to detach while moving, and a fifth wheel air release valve that can corrode and inadvertently unlock the fifth wheel latch. The 2005 model year has a suspension transverse beam casting that can fracture under normal loads, dropping the beam to road level and scattering debris. The 2004
