NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
The 2025 Volvo VNL has 13 recalls, the most serious involving an engine idler gear that can detach and stall the truck, and a dynamic steering system that can malfunction and cause sudden loss of steering control.
Three recalls address brake performance. Air brake activation and release can each take longer than expected, extending stopping distances, and unprotected electrical connectors on the rear brake modulators can short circuit and knock out both anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control. On top of that, a software error in the instrument cluster can prevent the ABS warning light from illuminating when there is an ABS fault. Separately, vehicles without auxiliary parking brakes can have insufficient holding force when in weight bias mode, creating a rollaway risk.
Several recalls affect lighting. Turn signals may not function correctly, automatic high beams may fail to switch down to low beam when oncoming vehicles are present, trailer lights may not illuminate at all when towing, and the instrument panel itself can go dark and take the speedometer and warning displays with it. There is also a concern with the hazard switch backlighting, which can go out and make the switch hard to locate in an emergency.
Two other issues round out the list: load lock clamps on the back of the cab can loosen and allow cargo bars to drop onto the road, and the backlight behind the hazard switch can fail.
At a glance
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What can fail
Rear brake modulator electrical connectors lack protection and can short circuit, disabling anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control.
What the fix does
Dealer will inspect connectors, install protective covers, and replace rear brake modulators as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The turn signal system may not function properly due to a software issue in the turn signal indicator.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the turn signal indicator software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The service brake may take longer than expected to release, which could affect stopping performance and violates federal brake system standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will install an additional brake valve and fittings to the service brake pneumatic plumbing at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The instrument panel may stop working while you're driving, which prevents you from seeing gauges and displays needed to operate the vehicle safely.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace your instrument panel cluster at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The parking brake may not work strongly enough when the vehicle is in weight bias mode, because there isn't enough weight on the parking brake axle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the brake chambers at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The automatic high beam headlights may not switch to low beams when they should, leaving high beams on when other vehicles are present.
What the fix does
Software will be updated over-the-air to turn off the automatic high beam feature. A permanent fix is being developed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The load lock clamps on the back of the cab may loosen, causing the load lock bars to become unsecured.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the load lock clamps at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The body control module may be improperly manufactured, causing trailer lights to fail to illuminate when towing a trailer.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the trailer body input/output module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The dynamic steering and oversteer guidance feature may malfunction, causing loss of steering control.
What the fix does
The oversteer guidance feature will be disabled through an over-the-air update or at a dealer, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fasteners holding the idler gear bracket may not be tight enough, which could allow the idler gear to come loose and separate from the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the turbo compound units and replace them if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The hazard switch backlighting may stop working, making it difficult to see the control in low-light conditions.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle's master control unit software at no charge to restore the backlighting function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake system may respond more slowly than normal, causing brakes to activate with a longer delay than expected.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new pneumatic circuit at no cost to restore normal brake response time.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the instrument cluster prevents the anti-lock brake system warning light from turning on when needed.
What the fix does
A dealer will reprogram the instrument cluster software at no cost to fix the warning light.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.