NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
The 2013 Volvo VNL has 15 recalls, the most serious involving multiple fire and structural risks, including battery cables that can overheat and ignite, trailer brakes that can drag and catch fire, and front axle components that can fracture and cause a total loss of steering control.
Several recalls involve fire risk from different sources: a relay valve in the air brake system can leak internally in extreme cold and cause the brakes to apply inadvertently and overheat, and on trucks with certain Cummins natural gas engines, a frozen intake sensor can produce flames from the exhaust pipe. The driveshaft on some trucks can fail and shed debris onto the road. A fifth wheel locking mechanism can wear to the point where it no longer holds the trailer, which can detach unexpectedly. On trucks with the Eco-Roll fuel-saving feature, a software defect can prevent the drivetrain from reengaging after the system disengages the transmission, leaving the driver without drive power.
On the braking side, the air dryer on certain trucks may be configured with incorrect software or incorrect operating parameters, allowing moisture and oil to contaminate the brake system and reduce braking performance. A missing redundant switch in the clutch system can increase stopping distances when the brakes are applied. The automatic emergency braking feature on trucks without side fairings can become disabled without warning. Two overlapping recalls cover auxiliary power units whose mounting points can crack and drop the unit onto the road.
At a glance
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What can fail
The electronic air dryer's software may malfunction, allowing oil and water to contaminate the brake system.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module and replace the air dryer filter at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electronic air dryer settings may be incorrect, allowing moisture to enter the air brake system. This can reduce brake function in cold weather.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the vehicle control unit to correct the air dryer settings.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Certain front steer axles may have undergone incorrect heat treatment, potentially weakening the axle material and risking failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect axles using serial numbers and replace affected ones at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front axle beam may not have been heat-treated properly, which can weaken the material. This could cause the axle to crack at the kingpin, leading to loss of control and a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will check your axle beam's batch and serial numbers and replace it if it's affected.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
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 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 mounting points on the Idle Free Model BA600 Electric Auxiliary Power Unit housing may crack or tear, potentially causing the power unit to fail or detach from the truck.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the mounting points and install a welded gusset upgrade kit and stronger clamping brackets if needed.
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
The Eco-Roll system, which disconnects the transmission from the engine to save fuel, may fail to reconnect when exiting this mode due to a software defect. This can happen unexpectedly and extend braking distance, raising crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will install an updated software version to restore proper transmission reengagement when exiting Eco-Roll.
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
Moisture can accumulate in the intake manifold and freeze in cold weather, which may disrupt the intake manifold pressure sensor's normal function.
What the fix does
Authorized Cummins service facilities will upload a new engine computer calibration at no cost to restore proper sensor operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driveshaft in certain 2013-2014 VNL vehicles with Meritor RPL-20 transmissions is not strong enough for this application and may break.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driveshaft 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
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.
