Vehicle Safety Data

2003 VOLVO VNL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

3

Owner Complaints

3 Fires

9

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

1

Service Bulletin

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2003 VOLVO VNL

The 2003 VOLVO VNL has received a total of 3 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 9 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Volvo Trucks North America for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (1 complaint), Engine And Engine Cooling (1 complaint), and Interior Lighting (1 complaint).

Recalls for the 2003 VOLVO VNL

NHTSA has recorded 9 recalls for the 2003 VOLVO VNL, potentially affecting up to 341,946 vehicles.

Recall 10V282000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:LINK:CONNECTION

| 63,788 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: BALL SOCKET SEPARATION AT THE DRAG LINK RESULTS IN COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING, AND THEREFORE CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: 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...

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Recall 09V173000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

| 127,764 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS A SHORT CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR, WHICH OVER TIME COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: 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...

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Recall 07V573000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

| 104,845 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

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Recall 06V021000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

| 33,102 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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...

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Recall 05V498000 — WHEELS

| 1,376 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT STEER AXLE AIR SUSPENSION MAY DEVELOP A FRONT WHEEL WOBBLE WHEN THE TIRES BECOME WORN.

Consequence: IF THE WOBBLE PERSISTS AND IS LEFT UNTREATED, DAMAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD IMPAIR VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

Remedy: 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.

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Recall 03V516000 — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

| 6,939 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: THIS COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: 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...

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Recall 03V260000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

| 422 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: 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.

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Recall 03V038000 — VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

| 2,435 vehicles affected

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

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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...

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Recall 03V204000 — TRAILER HITCHES:FIFTH WHEEL ASSEMBLY

| 1,275 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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...

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Owner Complaints for the 2003 VOLVO VNL

3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 VOLVO VNL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Electrical System
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 1 1 Fire

Most Recent Complaints

#10298416 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | | 728,000 miles Fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO VNL610 TRUCK. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 65-70 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THERE WAS A STRONG BURNING ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. A LOUD EXPLOSION CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR SLEEPER AREA AND UNDERNEATH THE HOOD ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT WRECKER SHOP. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 728,000. THE VIN WAS REJECTED FROM THE SYSTEM WHICH WILL BE UPDATED UPON RECEIPT OF THE COMPLAINT FORM. THE VIN # WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
#10028661 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles Fire
COUTESY LIGHTS TOO SOFT TO ACTIVATE, ALSO TOO HOT TO TOUCH, STARTED PILLOW ON FIRE IN SLEEPER BUNK. *AK
#10028661 | INTERIOR LIGHTING | | N/A miles Fire
COUTESY LIGHTS TOO SOFT TO ACTIVATE, ALSO TOO HOT TO TOUCH, STARTED PILLOW ON FIRE IN SLEEPER BUNK. *AK

Safety Rating for the 2003 VOLVO VNL

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 VOLVO VNL in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 VOLVO VNL

Volvo Trucks North America has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 2003 VOLVO VNL. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

TSB-514-003 — TIRES

VOLVO: BRAKE CAM TUBE REINFORCEMENT WITH SUPER SINGLE WHEELS/TIRES AND ARVIN MERITOR BRAKES. A REAR BRAKE S CAM TUBE SUPPORT BRACKET KIT HAS BEEN DESIGNED FOR SPECIFIC VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ARVIN MERITOR S CAMS AND SINGLE, WIDE DRIVE TIRES. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE

NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 VOLVO VNL

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the VOLVO VNL

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Other VOLVO Models

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