The 2021 Volvo VNL has 7 recalls, the most serious involving multiple steering and brake defects that can cause loss of vehicle control, including a king pin that may not be properly secured and can allow the front wheel knuckle to separate from the axle.
Steering concerns also include loose steering gear fasteners that can result in loss of control, and a power steering pump with a shaft seal that can fail under pressure, leaving the driver without power steering assist. On the brake side, a fitting inside the air brake line pass-through plate can release the brake line while under pressure, causing the park brakes to apply without warning. Separately, the brake pedal plate can crack at an attachment point and dislodge, leaving the driver with no functional brake pedal. There is also a label recall: the Federal Certification Label on certain trucks overstates the rear axle weight rating, and if those axles are regularly loaded to the labeled limit, the wheel hubs can wear out prematurely. Finally, a hubcap compression spring can allow the hubcap to detach while driving, creating a hazard for other vehicles on the road.
At a glance
What can fail
A machining defect in the power steering pump may cause excessive pressure buildup, breaking the shaft seal and eliminating power steering assist.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the power steering pump at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
We may earn a commission for purchases made through these links.
At a glance
What can fail
The compression spring inside the hubcap can fail, causing the hubcap to separate from the wheel.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove the hubcap at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Damaged internal jaws in brass fitting inserts may cause air brake lines to completely disconnect from the pneumatic pass-through plate under pressure, potentially causing park brakes to apply unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the air brake line connection in the pass-through plate to ensure proper engagement at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The king pin nut on the axle may be missing or not tightened enough during assembly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and ensure the king pin nut is installed and properly tightened at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The die cast pedal plate can break at its attachment points, which may cause the brake pedal to come loose.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the pedal plates if needed at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear drive axle weight rating printed on the vehicle's certification label is higher than what the wheel hubs can safely support.
What the fix does
Volvo will send corrected certification labels at no cost to replace the inaccurate ones.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fasteners that secure the steering gear may not have been properly tightened during manufacturing.
What the fix does
Dealers will tighten the steering gear fasteners to the proper specification at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
