NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
The 2012 Volvo VNL has 14 recalls, the most serious involving fire risks from battery cable connections that can loosen and arc, trailer fifth wheel locking mechanisms that can fail and allow a trailer to detach at speed, and brake system faults that can cause overheating or complete brake failure.
The fifth wheel and trailer coupling concerns appear across multiple filings: the locking mechanism on certain fifth wheel assemblies can wear or sustain cumulative damage to the point where it no longer holds the trailer securely, and a separate issue means the trailer hand brake handle can stick in the applied position, dragging the trailer brakes until the wheel end overheats and catches fire or a tire blows out. On the brake side, automatic slack adjusters in the air brake system can crack under normal braking and cause brake failure, and in extremely cold weather, certain air brake relay valves can develop internal leaks that cause the brakes to apply unintentionally and overheat. The driveshaft on certain trucks has a seam weld that can fracture when torque is applied, which can cause sudden loss of drive power. Several electrical and software recalls round out the list: the enhanced cruise control active braking feature can become disabled on trucks without side fairings, the clutch may not automatically disengage when the brakes are applied due to a missing redundant switch, an auxiliary power unit with cracking mounting points can detach from the truck and become a road hazard, and the windshield wiper motor can fail and leave the driver without visibility in wet conditions.
At a glance
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What can fail
The fifth wheel connector's locking mechanism may fail or not engage properly due to cumulative damage, potentially allowing trailer separation.
What the fix does
Fontaine dealers will replace the fifth wheel connector with an Ultra NT model at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fifth wheel locking mechanism can wear or get damaged, causing it to fail to lock properly. This could allow a towed trailer to separate from the truck.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the Ultra LT fifth wheel unit with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel unit.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The metal housing of certain auxiliary power units may crack or tear at mounting points. Mounting bolts securing these units may loosen or fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the power unit for damage and install reinforcement kits to strengthen mounting points and replace brackets with stronger clamps.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The trailer hand brake handle may get stuck and not return to the off position because the trim panel cutout restricts its movement.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and lengthen the trim panel slot as needed to allow the brake handle to move freely.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the enhanced cruise control system can disable the automatic braking feature on certain vehicles without side fairings, preventing the system from slowing or stopping the vehicle as intended.
What the fix does
The dealer will update the control unit software to restore proper cruise control braking function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The active braking part of enhanced cruise control may stop working on certain trucks equipped with this feature and without side fairings.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the control unit software at no cost to restore proper braking function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The windshield wiper motor may fail, potentially leaving the windshield unable to be wiped during operation.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clutch may not automatically disengage when the brake is applied if the brake air pressure switch loses its signal, because the vehicle lacks a backup clutch disengagement switch.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the vehicles and repair them if necessary to restore proper clutch disengagement function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Battery cables connect to the remote battery disconnect switch using incorrect hardware and may chafe or vibrate, potentially causing electrical arcing and fire.
What the fix does
Dealers will relocate the remote battery disconnect switch module to correct the connection.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The remote battery disconnect switch has incorrect hardware that allows cables to loosen. Mounted horizontally, cables may vibrate and chafe, potentially causing failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the remote battery disconnect switch and relocate it to prevent cable vibration and chafing.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In extremely cold conditions, the Bendix ATR-6 traction relay valve may develop internal leakage, causing air pressure to be delivered to the brake system and resulting in continuous brake application.
What the fix does
Volvo will replace the affected traction relay valve with a permanent repair. This service is performed free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fifth wheel lock can be partially closed during coupling without the driver knowing. A pull test may falsely indicate the lock is properly secured to the trailer kingpin when it actually isn't.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the lock bar at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seam weld in the driveline tubing has insufficient bonding, which can cause the material to separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driveline at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The slack adjuster housing may have weak structural integrity due to incomplete iron casting. Under normal braking loads, the housing could break at the handle attachment point.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the slack adjusters at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
