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Model year record

2003 Volvo Vnl recalls & problems

The 2003 Volvo Vnl has 9 safety recalls and 2 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (1 complaint).

Recalls9safety recalls
Complaints2filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SteeringJun 24, 2010

Linkages › Drag › Link › Connection

Recall 10V28200063,788 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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.
Risk
BALL SOCKET SEPARATION AT THE DRAG LINK RESULTS IN COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING, AND THEREFORE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix
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.
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.
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.
WheelsNov 2, 2005

Wheels

Recall 05V4980001,376 vehicles

Problem
CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT STEER AXLE AIR SUSPENSION MAY DEVELOP A FRONT WHEEL WOBBLE WHEN THE TIRES BECOME WORN.
Risk
IF THE WOBBLE PERSISTS AND IS LEFT UNTREATED, DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD IMPAIR VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
Fix
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.
EquipmentDec 10, 2003

Recreational vehicle/trailer

Recall 03V5160006,939 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
THIS COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix
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.
Electrical systemJul 22, 2003

Wiring

Recall 03V260000422 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix
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.
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.
VisibilityFeb 6, 2003

Glass, side/rear

Recall 03V0380002,435 vehicles

Problem
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE SLEEPER SECTION UPPER SIDE WINDOW GLASS MAY DE-BOND FROM THE WINDOW OPENING SLIDE TRACK MECHANISM.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.

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 system1010—
Interior lighting1010—
Engine and engine cooling1010—

*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