The 2016 Volvo Vnl has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 30,061 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING18V6680002018-09-253,705 affected
Defect
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Volvo VNL trucks equipped with Cummins ISX15 diesel engines. In certain driving conditions, such as on a long down-hill grade, the fuel line may burst if the fuel pump cooling circuit screen becomes restricted.
Consequence
If the fuel line bursts, fuel may leak onto the road resulting in a roadway hazard for other motorists. The engine may also stall without warning, resulting in the vehicle's inability to restart, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Cummins will notify owners, and dealers will replace the single screen filter banjo bolt will be replaced with a dual screen filter banjo bolt, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1802.
STEERING17V5360002017-08-29470 affected
Defect
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2016 Volvo VNL and VNM trucks equipped with certain Dana Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.
Consequence
If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod, tightening it as necessary. If the tie rod stud and knuckle on units cannot be sufficiently torqued, the dealer will replace the knuckle and tie rod end assembly, free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2017. …
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR16V9280002016-12-225,547 affected
Defect
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 VNL and VNM trucks and certain model year 2017 VNX trucks. In the affected vehicles, incorrect software for controlling the electronic air dryer may result in oil and water contaminating the brake system.
Consequence
If the brake system becomes contaminated, braking performance could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module and replace the air dryer filter, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1608.
SUSPENSION16V0950002016-02-192,053 affected
Defect
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 VT trucks manufactured from April 9, 2008, through September 24, 2009, and certain 2016 model VNL and VNM trucks manufactured from January 2, 2015, through to November 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with USK non-greasable drag…
Consequence
Failure of the ball joint may cause separation of the socket and a complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drag links, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1601. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall 15V-651.
STEERING16V0970002016-02-1718,116 affected
Defect
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 VNL, VNX, and VNM trucks manufactured from May 11, 2015, through April 18, 2016. The trucks may have been manufactured without a roll pin on the steering shafts. If the roll pin is missing, the lower steering shaft may disconnect from the…
Consequence
Separation of the steering shaft will result in complete loss of steering which may lead to a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Volvo is strongly recommending that the affected vehicles not be driven until the interim remedy is applied. An interim notice was sent to Volvo owners on March 16, 2016, and an interim repair is available now. A second notice was mailed on May 13, 2016. The final remedy is now available. Both remedies are free…
PARKING BRAKE15V0260002015-01-22170 affected
Defect
Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2015 and 2016 VNX and VNL trucks manufactured from May 20, 2014, through March 6, 2015, equipped with certain Haldex Life Seal Type 30/30 Long Stroke Air Brake Actuators manufactured January 9, 2014, to October 28, 2014. The affected actuators may…
Consequence
If the diaphragm is not completely attached, there may be internal leakage from the service section past the diaphragm, potentially trapping air pressure in the parking brake section. This air pressure in turn, if not vented, may prevent full release of the actuator unit, and may induce brake drag and may result in…
Remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake actuator and replace, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1501.
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN
6
2crashes
SERVICE BRAKES
2
SUSPENSION
2
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
1
STEERING
1
STRUCTURE:BODY
1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
WHEELS
1
1crashes
Total complaints15
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Volvo and mack drive shaft out of phase. I showed my dr. My video of my truck shaking. He said you mit as will be d w I”
“My stupid dealer cit trucks could not find y my truck was shaking so they played with transmission programing its an I shift no clutch peddle . Stonington il. Got fuel at f.s. Coming back cross rail road tracks and tried to stop for rt 48 . The clutch would not release .this the 4 time .”
“My new volvo truck shakes and starting to hop r jump 30k miles https://youtu.be/eu119g9vycu”
“My new volvo truck shakes and starting to hop r jump 30k miles https://youtu.be/eu119g9vycu”
“New volvo truck mid march 2016 it had a shake that got worse . My dealer cit trucks was to stupid find the problem. Anther dealer look at it. The rear drive shaft was out of phase but how after almost 80000 miles the rear ends are going out . My truck is not the only one out there . Videos can be…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2016 volvo vnl semi-truck. While driving various low and high speeds, the vehicle vibrated. A series of independent mechanics confirmed that the driveshaft was loose within the transmission. Vomac sales and service mack (5556 east margaret drive, terre haute, indiana 47803,…”
“Volvo and mack trucks drive shafts out of phase. Making it shake and eat up tires and wear truck out should be recalled”
“Volvo and mack trucks drive shafts out of phase. Making it shake and eat up tires and wear truck out should be recalled”
Defect investigations
InvestigationAQ18005 Opened 2018-10-22 · closed 2023-08-04
Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting
On October 22, 2018, an Audit Query (AQ18-005) was opened to assess the completeness and timeliness of Volvo Group's early warning reporting, safety recalls, and communications submissions to the agency.NHTSA's investigation determined that Volvo Group failed to recall vehicles in a timely fashion and to comply with…
InvestigationDP15006 Opened 2015-09-28 · closed 2016-04-08
Ride Quality
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Defect Petition (DP) assessment in response to a defect petition received from owners of a 2015 Volvo VNL 780 tractor.Prior to submitting the letter the owners had submitted two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ).Their concerns included: cab sway, cab alignment ,…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2016 Volvo Vnl as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.