Model year record

2012 Volvo Vhd recalls & problems

The 2012 Volvo Vhd has 11 safety recalls and 0 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.

Recalls11safety recalls

Complaints0filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingOct 30, 2018

Exterior lighting

Recall 18V7660004,625 vehicles

Problem: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2004-2019 Volvo VHD trucks equipped with snow plow lamp preparation kits. The snow plow headlights can be turned on without other exterior lights, and high beam indicator will not work when the snow plow high beams are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: The driver may operate the vehicle with the snow plow headlights on but the marker and tail lamps off, reducing the vehicle's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the software related to the plow lights, free of charge. The recall began December 19, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1804.

SuspensionOct 13, 2016

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 16V7350004,177 vehicles

Problem: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 VHD trucks manufactured from April 7, 2008, through December 9, 2015, equipped with USK non-greasable drag links. The ball joint seals may be compromised, which can allow water and other contaminants to enter the ball joints.
Risk: If water and contaminants enter the ball joint, corrosion can occur and lead to accelerated wear, which over time can result in failure of the ball joint, possibly resulting in 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 December 2, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1606.

Components: Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint; Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint

Power trainNov 18, 2014

Automatic transmission

Recall 14V7390006,234 vehicles

Problem: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012, 2014-2015 VHD, 2012-2015 VNL, and 2014-2015 VNM trucks manufactured June 16, 2011, to August 18, 2014, and equipped with the Eco-Roll option. The affected trucks may fail to re-engage the vehicle drivetrain after using the Eco-Roll feature.
Risk: If the drivetrain does not re-engage, the vehicle's stopping distance may be lengthened, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo has notified owners, and dealers will update the Eco-Roll software, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1406.

Visibility/wiperAug 13, 2013

Visibility/wiper

Recall 13V34900017,824 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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.

Power trainJun 26, 2013

Clutch assembly

Recall 13V26800023,056 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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.

Parking brakeApr 22, 2013

Conventional › Air

Recall 13V152000701 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 VHD and VNL vehicles manufactured December 13, 2010, through July 17, 2012. These vehicles are equipped with an MGM Type 24 J-series piston parking brake chamber. The brake chambers may leak pressure allowing the parking brake to drag when it is supposed to be released. Brake dragging could lead to overheated brake components.
Risk: Overheated brake components could result in a fire.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners and the brake chambers will be replaced as needed, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on, or before, June 17, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000. VolvoÂs campaign recall number is RVXX1302.

Electrical systemMar 21, 2013

12v/24v/48v battery › Cables

Recall 13V1020005,207 vehicles

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.

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.

Service brakes, airFeb 1, 2012

Supply › Check valve

Recall 12V03600021,625 vehicles

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.

Power trainMay 20, 2011

Driveline

Recall 11V294000341 vehicles

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.

Service brakes, airMay 3, 2011

Slack adjusters

Recall 11V2650002,765 vehicles

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.

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.

NHTSA defect investigations

Discrepancies in Required CFR ReportingClosed
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 other recall and reporting requirements, including notifying owners of recalls and reporting death and injury incidents.NHTSA and Volvo Group entered into a Consent Order on January 27, 2023 to resolve AQ18-005.As part of the Consent Order, Volvo Group agreed to a total civil penalty of one-hundred and thirty million dollars ($130,000,000), of which, sixty-five million dollars ($65,000,000) was paid on February 21, 2023.Also, of that total civil penalty, Volvo Group agreed to spend twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) on the specific performance obligation to create a safety…
AQ18005 · opened Oct 22, 2018 · closed Aug 4, 2023
Stop Lamp Switch SignalClosedLed to recall 13V268000
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data from the manufacturer that indicated some number of subject vehicles equipped with the subject automated manual transmission had allegedly experienced a condition where the clutch failed to automatically disengage the transmission from the engine as intended. This may result in extended stopping distances and/or unintended forward motion of a vehicle previously at rest.To date, ODI is aware of 134 subject vehicles with one or more complaints or field reports related to this condition.Also, ODI is aware of 164 subject vehicles with one or more warranty claims related to this condition.By letter dated June 25, 2013, Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) notified ODI that it has initiated a safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 13V268 and Volvo Recall No. RVXX1303) to address a safety defect in approximately…
PE13002 · opened Feb 7, 2013 · closed Jul 3, 2013