2016 Volvo VNL recalls (6)

Every 2016 Volvo VNL recall

Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.

• Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 18V668000

  Sep 25, 2018Engine and Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel

  Problem

  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.

  Risk

  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.

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 18V668000 →

• Steering · NHTSA 17V536000

  Aug 29, 2017Steering

  Problem

  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.

  Risk

  If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Fix

  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. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1702.

  Full recall details for 17V536000 →

• Service Brakes, Air · NHTSA 16V928000

  Dec 22, 2016Service Brakes, Air

  Problem

  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.

  Risk

  If the brake system becomes contaminated, braking performance could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 16V928000 →

• Suspension · NHTSA 16V095000

  Feb 19, 2016Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper Ball Joint

  Problem

  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 links that may experience corrosion of the ball joints due to the seals being compromised, possibly resulting in accelerated wear and failure of the ball joint.

  Risk

  Failure of the ball joint may cause separation of the socket and a complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 16V095000 →

• Steering · NHTSA 16V097000

  Feb 17, 2016SteeringDo not drive

  Problem

  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 junction block. Also, the bolt connecting the upper steering shaft to the lower steering shaft may not have been properly tightened. Either condition can lead to separation of the steering shaft.

  Risk

  Separation of the steering shaft will result in complete loss of steering which may lead to a vehicle crash.

  Fix

  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 of charge. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-877-800-4945 opt #1. Volvo's recall numbers for this campaign are RVXX1602 and RVXX1603. This recall supersedes safety recall 15V-786.

  Full recall details for 16V097000 →

• Parking Brake · NHTSA 15V026000

  Jan 22, 2015Parking Brake:Driveline:Hydraulic:Actuator

  Problem

  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 have an incomplete attachment of the internal rubber diaphragm to the actuation mechanism of the parking brake section of the Life Seal actuator.

  Risk

  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 overheated wheelend service brakes, increasing the risk of a fire.

  Fix

  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.

  Full recall details for 15V026000 →

2016 Volvo VNL complaints and service bulletins

Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volvo VNL, reporting 2 crashes. Volvo has issued at least 202 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.

Most-reported components

• Power Train7
• Service Brakes2
• Suspension2
• Steering1
• Structure1
• Unknown Or Other1

Service bulletins by component

• Engine and Engine Cooling (81)
• Electrical System (51)
• Equipment (27)
• Power Train (23)
• Unknown Or Other (13)
• Engine (9)

Read Volvo VNL owner complaints and bulletins, every year

NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2016 Volvo VNL

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 2 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.

• Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting
  AQ18005Opened Oct 22, 2018Closed Aug 4, 2023
• Ride Quality
  DP15006Opened Sep 28, 2015Closed Apr 8, 2016

Other Volvo VNL model years

← 2015 Volvo VNL · 2017 Volvo VNL →

• 2027 (7)
• 2026 (15)
• 2025 (12)
• 2024 (6)
• 2023 (4)
• 2022 (7)
• 2021 (6)
• 2020 (6)
• 2019 (8)
• 2018 (5)
• 2017 (3)
• 2016 (6)
• 2015 (9)
• 2014 (12)
• 2013 (14)
• 2012 (14)
• 2011 (12)
• 2010 (3)
• 2009 (2)
• 2008 (2)
• 2007 (1)

All Volvo VNL recalls, every model year