2012 Volvo VNM recalls (9)

Every 2012 Volvo VNM recall

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

• Trailer Hitches · NHTSA 15V643000

  Oct 13, 2015Trailer Hitches:Fifth Wheel Assembly

  Problem

  Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured June 21, 2010, to December 14, 2012. The affected trucks are equipped with Fontaine Ultra LT Fifth Wheel connectors, which, due to cumulative damage to the fifth wheel and its locking mechanism, have a locking mechanism that may fail to operate or to properly engage.

  Risk

  If the fifth wheel and locking mechanism are sufficiently damaged, the locking mechanism may fail to operate as intended and the trailer may unexpectedly detach from the tractor, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Fix

  Volvo will notify owners, and Fontaine dealers will replace the fifth wheel with an Ultra NT model fifth wheel, free of charge. The recall began on November 23, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1507.

  Full recall details for 15V643000 →

• Service Brakes · NHTSA 15V524000

  Aug 17, 2015Service Brakes

  Problem

  Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 VNL and VNM trucks manufactured May 31, 2011, to December 1, 2014. In the affected trucks, the trailer hand brake handle may not to return to the off position due to being restricted by the cut out in the trim panel.

  Risk

  If the brake handle does return to the off position, the trailer service brakes may drag causing the wheel end to overheat and potentially cause a wheel end fire or tire blowout. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

  Fix

  Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the trim panel slot and make it longer, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-258-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1504.

  Full recall details for 15V524000 →

• Visibility/Wiper · NHTSA 13V349000

  Aug 13, 2013Visibility/Wiper

  Problem

  Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 VAH, VHD, VNL, and VNM trucks manufactured February 1, 2010, through September 30, 2010 and June 1, 2011, through November 30, 2011. The windshield wiper motor may fail.

  Risk

  Inoperable wipers may result in poor driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Fix

  Volvo will notify owners and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor, free of charge. The recallbegan on December 6, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1304.

  Full recall details for 13V349000 →

• Power Train · NHTSA 13V268000

  Jun 26, 2013Power Train:Clutch Assembly

  Problem

  Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2007-2014 VAH, VHD, VNL, VNM, and VT models. The affected vehicles were built without a redundant clutch disengagement switch. Without a redundant switch, a loss of signal from the brake air pressure switch can prevent the clutch from automatically disengaging when the brake is applied.

  Risk

  Without a signal to disengage the clutch when the brakes are applied, the distance required to stop the truck may lengthen, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Fix

  Volvo Trucks will notify owners and dealers will inspect and repair the vehicles if necessary. The recall began on August 26, 2013. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1303. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.

  Full recall details for 13V268000 →

• Electrical System · NHTSA 13V102000

  Mar 21, 2013Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables

  Problem

  Volvo is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 VHD, VNL, and VNM trucks, manufactured from April 18, 2011, through March 14, 2013, and equipped with a horizontally mounted remote battery disconnect switch. The remote battery disconnect switch was manufactured with incorrect hardware allowing the cables to loosen. Additionally, as mounted, the cables may vibrate and chafe.

  Risk

  Loose or chafed cables may lead to overheating of the battery cable and switch which may result in a fire.

  Fix

  Volvo will send owners an interim letter and dealers will replace and relocate the remote battery disconnect switch. The recall began on May 7, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo's recall support line at 1-877-800-4945 and select option 1.

  Full recall details for 13V102000 →

• Service Brakes, Air · NHTSA 12V036000

  Jan 2, 2012Service Brakes, Air:Supply:Check Valve

  Problem

  VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 VHD AND MODEL YEAR 2011-2013 VNL AND VNM VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 2, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 18, 2012, AND EQUIPPED WITH BENDIX ATR-6 TRACTION RELAY VALVES. IN EXTREMELY COLD CONDITIONS, THESE BENDIX RELAY VALVES MAY POTENTIALLY DEVELOP INTERNAL LEAKAGE. INTERNAL LEAKAGE CAN LEAD TO AIR PRESSURE BEING DELIVERED TO AFFECTED PRIMARY OR SECONDARY BRAKE CAUSING CONTINUOUS BRAKE APPLICATION.

  Risk

  INADVERTENT BRAKE APPLICATION CAN CAUSE THE BRAKES TO OVERHEAT AND LEAD TO A FIRE. INADVERTENT BRAKE APPLICATION CAN CAUSE THE WHEELS TO LOCK-UP LEADING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

  Fix

  VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND PROVIDE A TEMPORARY REPAIR UNTIL BENDIX DEVELOPS A PERMANENT REMEDY. A PERMANENT REMEDY HAS BEEN DEVELOPED AND NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

  Full recall details for 12V036000 →

• Power Train · NHTSA 11V294000

  May 20, 2011Power Train:Driveline

  Problem

  VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 VHD, VNL, AND VNM TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A MERITOR DRIVELINE. THE TUBING USED TO ASSEMBLE THE DRIVELINES HAS A NONCONFORMING SEAM WELD WITH INSUFFICIENT BONDING OF THE MATERIAL.

  Risk

  THIS CAN RESULT IN SEAM WELD FRACTURE WHEN TORQUE IS APPLIED. ONCE THE TUBE SEAM WELD IS FRACTURED, THE DRIVELINE MAY BECOME INOPERABLE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A DISABLED VEHICLE OR DEBRIS FROM THE DRIVELINE FALLING ONTO THE ROADWAY, BOTH OF WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

  Fix

  DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVELINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

  Full recall details for 11V294000 →

• Service Brakes, Air · NHTSA 11V265000

  Mar 5, 2011Service Brakes, Air:Slack Adjusters

  Problem

  VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 VHD, VNL, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 VNM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 15, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2011, AND EQUIPPED WITH GUNITE AUTOMATIC SLACK ADJUSTERS. DUE TO AN INCOMPLETE "KNITTING" OF THE IRON AT THE TIME OF CASTING, INADEQUATE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SLACK ADJUSTER HOUSING CAN OCCUR, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE HOUSING TO BREAK AT THE HANDLE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING LOADS.

  Risk

  SLACK ADJUSTERS WITH THIS FLOW NOTCH COULD CRACK UNDER NORMAL BRAKING CONDITIONS CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

  Fix

  VOLVO TRUCKS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUBJECT SLACK ADJUSTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 12, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

  Full recall details for 11V265000 →

• Trailer Hitches · NHTSA 11V460000

  Jan 9, 2011Trailer Hitches:Fifth Wheel Assembly

  Problem

  VOLVO TRUCKS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 VNL AND VNM TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 1, 2010, THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2011. DURING THE COUPLING PROCESS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE DRIVER TO PARTIALLY CLOSE THE FIFTH WHEEL LOCK AND IF SOLELY RELYING ON A TUG TEST (PULL TEST), THE DRIVER MAY THINK THAT THE FIFTH WHEEL LOCK IS PROPERLY COUPLED TO THE TRAILER KING PIN WHEN IN FACT IT IS NOT PROPERLY COUPLED.

  Risk

  IF THE DRIVER DRIVES AWAY WITH A TRAILER THAT IS NOT PROPERLY COUPLED, THE TRAILER CAN COME LOOSE AND POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

  Fix

  DEALERS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCK BAR FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 7, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.

  Full recall details for 11V460000 →

2012 Volvo VNM complaints and service bulletins

Volvo has issued at least 95 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.

Service bulletins by component

• Engine and Engine Cooling (26)
• Electrical System (23)
• Power Train (21)
• Equipment (13)
• Unknown Or Other (9)
• Engine (6)

Read Volvo VNM owner complaints and bulletins, every year

NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2012 Volvo VNM

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 3 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
• Stop Lamp Switch Signal
  PE13002Opened Feb 7, 2013Closed Jul 3, 2013
• Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding
  RQ11001Opened May 23, 2011Closed Jan 20, 2012

Other Volvo VNM model years

← 2011 Volvo VNM · 2013 Volvo VNM →

• 2017 (2)
• 2016 (4)
• 2015 (5)
• 2014 (9)
• 2013 (8)
• 2012 (9)
• 2011 (6)
• 2010 (2)
• 2009 (2)
• 2008 (2)
• 2007 (1)

All Volvo VNM recalls, every model year