NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
On long downhill grades, a restricted fuel pump cooling circuit screen can cause the fuel line to burst.
This page covers 11 recalls and 12 owner complaints for the 2016 Volvo Vnl.
Powertrain complaints dominate what owners report for the 2016 Volvo VNL, with driveshaft and vibration issues appearing most consistently. Multiple owners describe persistent whole-vehicle shaking at various speeds, tracing the problem to a driveshaft that is out of phase or improperly seated where it meets the transmission. In several cases, independent mechanics confirmed the driveshaft condition after dealers were unable or unwilling to address it. A handful of owners also report issues with the automated manual transmission, describing the clutch failing to release during deceleration, a pattern that came up more than once. Service brake complaints appear in a smaller number of reports. A single report mentions loose front wheels and underinflated tires on a truck received from the factory, though that concern appears in isolation rather than as a recurring theme.
12
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
By System
The 2016 Volvo VNL has 11 recalls, the most serious being multiple steering defects that can cause complete loss of steering control, including failing ball joints, loose tie rod connections, and steering shafts that can disconnect while driving.
Several of these steering concerns overlap in consequence: corroded or worn ball joints on the drag link or front axle can separate and leave the driver with no steering input, a castellated nut that was not properly tightened can allow the tie rod to pull free from the steering knuckle, and a missing roll pin or under-torqued bolt on the two-piece steering shaft can cause the shaft to separate at its junction. On vehicles with a Cummins ISX15 diesel engine, a restricted fuel pump cooling screen can cause a fuel line to burst and spill fuel onto the road. The engine control module can develop an internal short that blows a fuse, causing the engine to stall without warning and preventing a restart. There is also a parking brake concern on certain trucks: a brake actuator diaphragm that is not fully attached can trap air pressure in the parking brake section and affect brake release. Finally, incorrect software controlling the air dryer can allow oil and water to contaminate the air brake system, reducing braking performance.
At a glance
What can fail
On long downhill grades, a restricted fuel pump cooling circuit screen can cause the fuel line to burst.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers replace the single-screen fuel filter banjo bolt with a dual-screen banjo bolt at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The nut and cotter pin connecting the tie rod to the steering knuckle may be loose, allowing the tie rod to move. This causes steering noise or looseness that can worsen until the tie rod detaches, eliminating control of that wheel.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the tightness of the tie rod nuts and replace the tie rod stud and knuckle if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The castellated nut on the steer axle may not be properly tightened, which can allow the tie rod to loosen and affect steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will check and tighten the castellated nut and tie rod. If the parts cannot be sufficiently tightened, the knuckle and tie rod end assembly will be replaced at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
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 drag link seals can become compromised, allowing corrosion of the ball joints. This causes accelerated wear and may lead to ball joint failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the drag links at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The upper or lower part of a two-piece steering shaft can separate from its coupler, causing complete loss of steering control and risk of crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a roll pin through the steering shaft as a temporary fix, then replace the two-piece shaft with a single-piece shaft when parts arrive.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seals on the drag link ball joints can fail, allowing corrosion to develop inside the joint. This causes the joint to wear quickly and may eventually fail, which could cause loss of steering control.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the drag link on your vehicle.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering shaft may be missing a roll pin or have a loose connecting bolt, causing the lower steering shaft to separate from the junction block and disconnect from the upper shaft.
What the fix does
Volvo will install the missing roll pin and tighten the steering shaft bolt to secure all connections.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolt connecting your two-piece steering shaft may be loose. If it loosens further, the two shaft pieces could separate, causing complete loss of steering control.
What the fix does
You'll receive instructions to tighten the bolt temporarily. Dealers will inspect the steering shaft and repair it as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Engine Control Module may develop an internal electrical short circuit, which can blow a fuse in its power supply. This could cause the engine to stall suddenly and prevent restart, resulting in loss of power.
What the fix does
Your dealer will replace the Engine Control Module with a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The internal rubber diaphragm in certain Haldex Life Seal air brake actuators may not be fully attached to the parking brake mechanism, potentially causing brake function loss.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake actuator and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
