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Model year record

2003 Volvo Vhd recalls & problems

The 2003 Volvo Vhd has 11 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (2 complaints).

Recalls11safety recalls
Complaints3filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Seat beltsOct 18, 2012

Seat belts

Recall 12V5100001,496 vehicles

Problem
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2002-2013 VHD and VN trucks, manufactured from August 4, 2000, through June 22, 2012, and equipped with bench passenger seats. The seat belt d-ring weld may not be sufficient enough to meet the seat belt pull test. Therefore, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Risk
In the event of a crash, an insufficient seat belt weld may prevent the seat belt from properly restraining the occupant. This increases the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
Fix
Volvo Trucks of America will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspected d-ring, free of change. The safety recall began on May 10, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000.
VisibilityMay 21, 2009

Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

Recall 09V173000127,764 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
IF THIS HAPPENS A SHORT CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR, WHICH OVER TIME COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix
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.
Electrical systemDec 14, 2007

Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers

Recall 07V573000104,845 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
WheelsJun 14, 2006

Wheels

Recall 06V213000873 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, THE WHEEL SPACER MAY BECOME DISTORTED FROM HEAT WHICH POTENTIALLY COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF CLAMP THAT MAY RESULT IN LOOSE WHEEL NUTS.
Risk
IF THE WHEEL NUTS LOOSEN FOR ANY REASON, DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL STUDS AND WHEEL MAY OCCUR, AND MAY LEAD TO A COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE WHEELS FROM THE TRUCK WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WHEEL SPACERS AND THE WHEEL EQUIPMENT (WHEELS,STUDS, AND HUB) WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 26, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
Engine and engine coolingJan 26, 2006

Exhaust system

Recall 06V02100033,102 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
VisibilitySep 17, 2004

Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

Recall 04V45700056,154 vehicles

Problem
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH VALEO WIPER SYSTEMS, THE WIPER MOTOR MAY BE SUSCEPTIVE TO SALT INTRUSION THAT COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A CONDITION WHERE THE CONNECTOR OVERHEATS TO A POINT WHERE THE CONNECTOR COULD IGNITE.
Risk
IF THIS OCCURS, EXCESSIVE HEAT AND SMOKE COULD RESULT IN AN UNDER HOOD FIRE.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE CONNECTOR PLATE ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. PHASE 2 OF THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
SeatsAug 12, 2004

Seats

Recall 04V404000126 vehicles

Problem
CERTAIN TRUCKS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, 'SEATING SYSTEMS.' THE BENCH SEAT, AS INSTALLED, DOES NOT THE SEAT PULL REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Risk
THE SEAT ANCHORAGE TO THE FLOOR MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO RETAIN THE ADJUSTED SEATING POSITION, WHICH COULD LEAD TO PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVEN TOF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE BENCH SEAT WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND OF SEAT. THE RECALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
Engine and engine coolingFeb 13, 2004

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 04V0770002,112 vehicles

Problem
ON CERTAIN HEAVY-DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE ASSEMBLED ENGINE PRE-HEATER JUMPER WIRING HARNESS WAS INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED.
Risk
THE ENGINE PRE-HEATER COULD OVERHEAT RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE PRE-HEATER AND OTHER ENGINE HEAT SENSITIVE COMPONENTS NEAR THE PRE-HEATER AND THE ABILITY TO RE-START THE ENGINE COULD BE COMPROMISED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE AFFECTED CIRCUITS IN THE JUMPER WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2004. 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.
SteeringFeb 13, 2004

Gear box › Shaft pitman

Recall 04V07800092 vehicles

Problem
ON CERTAIN HEAVY-DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE PINCH BOLT ATTACHING THE STEERING DRAG LINK TO THE PITMAN ARM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED.
Risk
THE BOLT COULD LOOSEN ALLOWING THE DRAG LINK AND PITMAN ARM TO SEPARATE, RESULTING IN UNCONTROLLABLE STEERING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW PINCH BOLT AND TIGHTEN TO THE REQUIRED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2004. 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.
Trailer hitchesMay 30, 2003

Fifth wheel assembly

Recall 03V2040001,275 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Seat beltsMar 20, 2003

Front › Anchorage

Recall 03V108000396 vehicles

Problem
CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN OPTIONAL TWO-MAN PASSENGER BENCH SEAT FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." ON THE TWO-MAN PASSENGER BENCH SEAT INBOARD (CENTER) POSITION, SEAT BELT D-RING MOUNTING BRACKET WELDNUT, THE WELD IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE SEAT BELT PULL REQUIREMENTS .
Risk
THESE TRUCKS DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT D-RING MOUNTING BRACKET. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Electrical system2000—
Engine and engine coolingEngine2000—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations