2003 Volvo VNL: recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2003 Volvo VNL. The newest campaign is 10V282000. NHTSA received the report on 24 Jun 2010. The NHTSA record gives the component Steering / Linkages / Drag / Link / Connection. NHTSA has 2 complaints on file for this model year. 2 NHTSA investigations name this model year.

The NHTSA recall file shows no do-not-drive advisory and no park-outside advisory on these campaigns.

This page cannot show if a recall applies to one vehicle. The NHTSA VIN lookup shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle.

Remedy of the newest campaign, 10V282000, in the NHTSA record

Dealers will inspect and repair the ball socket or the drag link as required if necessary. As parts are limited, volvo trucks mailed an interim owner letter on september 2, 2010. The safety recall began on february 14, 2011. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.

NHTSA VIN lookup

Complaint information entered into NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation vehicle owner's complaint database is used with other data sources to identify safety issues that warrant investigation and to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.
NHTSA publishes these words. Source: NHTSA Datasets and APIs, section Complaints, read on 1 Oct 2026. Complaint file through 30 Sep 2026. Recall file through 30 Sep 2026.

Since the last update

No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks

All updates to the register

Recall campaigns

9 campaigns, newest first. 341,946 units in total.

10V28200024 Jun 2010Steering / Linkages / Drag / Link / Connection
09V17300021 May 2009Visibility / Windshield Wiper/Washer / Motor
07V57300014 Dec 2007Electrical System / Wiring / Fuses and Circuit Breakers
06V02100026 Jan 2006Engine and Engine Cooling / Exhaust System
05V4980002 Nov 2005Wheels
03V51600010 Dec 2003Equipment / Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
03V26000022 Jul 2003Electrical System / Wiring
03V20400030 May 2003Trailer Hitches / Fifth Wheel Assembly
03V0380006 Feb 2003Visibility / Glass, Side/Rear

10V282000Received 24 Jun 2010. 63,788 units.
Steering / Linkages / Drag / Link / Connection
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Volvo trucks is recalling certain model year 2001-2006 vnl and vnm trucks manufactured with a trw sealed drag links. Certain factors can exist, which if left untreated may result in a ball socket separation.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Ball socket separation at the drag link results in complete loss of steering, and therefore can result in a vehicle crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will inspect and repair the ball socket or the drag link as required if necessary. As parts are limited, volvo trucks mailed an interim owner letter on september 2, 2010. The safety recall began on february 14, 2011. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Report filed by VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA. Manufacturer campaign number RVXX1003. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 2 Sep 2010.
09V173000Received 21 May 2009. 127,764 units.
Visibility / Windshield Wiper/Washer / Motor
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Volvo trucks is recalling 127,764 my 2001-2008 vhd, vnl, vnm, and my 2005-2008 vt trucks. A seal may fail allowing water and contaminants to seep into the windshield wiper motor.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If this happens a short circuit may occur, which over time could possibly lead to a vehicle fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Volvo will replace the wiper motor free of charge. Since this recall involves a large number of vehicles, volvo will release the recall in stages as parts are received. Priority will be given to the vehicles located in the regions/states that have a corrosive environment. The recall began on september 30, 2009. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Report filed by VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA. Manufacturer campaign number RVXX0902. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 Sep 2009.
07V573000Received 14 Dec 2007. 104,845 units.
Electrical System / Wiring / Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Defect, in the NHTSA record
On certain heavy duty trucks, the circuit protection (i.e. Automatic circuit breakers) used to protect the vehicle lighting system may not provide adequate protection.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If a short circuit occurs and is left untreated, components and wiring may be subject to overheating which could possibly result in a vehicle fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace the circuit breakers with fuses. The recall began on february 25, 2008. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Report filed by VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA. Manufacturer campaign number RVXX0707. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 25 Feb 2008.
06V021000Received 26 Jan 2006. 33,102 units.
Engine and Engine Cooling / Exhaust System
Defect, in the NHTSA record
On certain trucks equipped with d12d engines, the exhaust gas recirculation (egr) cooler inlet pipes or the pipes that connect the egr valves to the cooler may crack or break.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the pipes or the cooler inlet pipes fail and are left untreated, the air cleaner and inner fender may be subject to hot exhaust gases, which could lead to a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will inspect and repair the egr cooler pipes as required and install a heat shield free of charge. An interim owner letter was mailed on february 17, 2006, to advise on precautions that the owner can take until parts become available. Owners are being notified starting march 3, 2006, that parts are now available. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Report filed by VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC.. Manufacturer campaign number RVXX0601. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 3 Mar 2006.
05V498000Received 2 Nov 2005. 1,376 units.
Wheels
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Certain trucks equipped with front steer axle air suspension may develop a front wheel wobble when the tires become worn.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the wobble persists and is left untreated, damage may occur which could impair vehicle control and a crash could occur without prior notice.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will repair and replace the front vertical shocks on each side of the front suspension and add a horizontal stabilizer. The recall began on february 20, 2006. Owners may contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Report filed by VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC.. Manufacturer campaign number RVXX0506. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 20 Feb 2006.
03V516000Received 10 Dec 2003. 6,939 units.
Equipment / Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
Defect, in the NHTSA record
On certain heavy-duty trucks, when the bunk is raised into the stored position, an object left on the bunk may inadvertently turn on a bunk lamp.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This could possibly result in a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will install a bunk lamp with a push button on/off switch. Owner notification began on december 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volvo truck at 1-800-528-6586.
Report filed by VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA, INC.. Manufacturer campaign number RVXX0308. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 24 Dec 2003.
03V260000Received 22 Jul 2003. 422 units.
Electrical System / Wiring
Defect, in the NHTSA record
On certain trucks, the wiring harness connected to the chassis mounted electrical inverter may allow water to enter the inverter and cause an electrical short in the inverter.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This could result in a fire.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these vehicles. Owner notification is expected to begin during august 2003. Owners should contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Report filed by VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC. Manufacturer campaign number RVXX0304. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 15 Aug 2003.
03V204000Received 30 May 2003. 1,275 units.
Trailer Hitches / Fifth Wheel Assembly
Defect, in the NHTSA record
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with jost international jsk 37u series fifth wheels, a fatigue crack can develop in the bracket pin weld under certain loading conditions.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If left undetected or corrected it could lead to the separation of the fifth wheel top plate from its mounting structure, possibly resulting in a crash.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace the bracket pins and repair instructions free of charge. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact jost international at 616-846-7700 or by email to recall@jostinternational.com or volvo truck at 800-528-6586.
Report filed by VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC.
03V038000Received 6 Feb 2003. 2,435 units.
Visibility / Glass, Side/Rear
Defect, in the NHTSA record
On certain heavy duty class 8 trucks, the sleeper section upper side window glass may de-bond from the window opening slide track mechanism.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the window is open and this event occurs, the window glass could separate from the window frame and become a hazard to an oncoming vehicle and/or person.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace the window. Owner notification began on february 26, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volvo trucks at 1-800-528-6586.
Report filed by VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC. Manufacturer campaign number RVXX0302. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 26 Feb 2003.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

Complaints by component

2 complaints, 3 component mentions.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. This model year has fewer than 50 component mentions, so the table shows the number of mentions only.

2003 Volvo VNL: component mentions in complaints
Component		Mentions
Electrical System		1
Interior Lighting		1
Engine and Engine Cooling		1

Complaints that report a crash: 0
Complaints that report a fire: 2
Injuries in the complaints: 0
Deaths in the complaints: 0
Date of the newest complaint: 6 Jan 2010

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Complaints about the 2003 Volvo VNL, by the year NHTSA received them. The largest year is 2003, with 1 complaint.

Investigations

NHTSA investigations that name the 2003 Volvo VNL
Number	Type	Subject	Component	Opened	Closed	Campaign
RQ11001	Recall query	Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding	Visibility / Glass, Side/Rear	23 May 2011	20 Jan 2012
EA09003	Engineering analysis	Drag Link Failure	Steering / Gear Box / Shaft Pitman	15 Jan 2009	6 Jul 2010	10V282000

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

Other model years

The number under each year is the number of recall campaigns.

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

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Official channels

NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
NHTSA page of the 2003 Volvo VNLThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

Cite this page

Recall Register. 2003 Volvo VNL: recalls and complaints. https://recallregister.com/vehicle/volvo/vnl/2003/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall, complaint and investigation files. Data through 30 Sep 2026.

Sources

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Licence: US government work, public domain
Recall file through: 30 Sep 2026
Complaint file through: 30 Sep 2026
First complaint in the file: 1 Jan 1995
Manufacturer in the recall file: VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

The NHTSA record is the authority. A complaint count is the number of different complaint numbers for the make, the model and the model year. How the register is made. Report an error.

Questions

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2003 Volvo VNL?: 341,946 units in 9 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.
How many recall campaigns does the Volvo VNL have for all model years?: NHTSA lists 87 recall campaigns for the Volvo VNL, model years 1990 to 2025. 9 of them name the 2003 model year.
Which component do the complaints about the 2003 Volvo VNL name most often?: Electrical System: 1 of 3 component mentions.
Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2003 Volvo VNL open?: No. Each of the 2 investigations that name this model year has a closing date in the NHTSA file.