2001 Volvo VHD: problems, recalls and reliability
10 recalls and 1 owner complaint on record; most reports concern steering; the 2000 and 2002 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 1 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Consumer states that when the truck is steered to the left the driver loses control the dealer has repaired the vehicle three times and the problem has reoccured. Nlm”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2002
Recalls - 10 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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 THAT HAVE A CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
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.
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 JOST INTERNATIONAL AT 616-846-7700 OR BY EMAIL TO RECALL@JOSTINTERNATIONAL.COM OR VOLVO TRUCK AT 800-528-6586.
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 .
Remedy: 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS 8 HEAVY DUTY, AXLE BACK MODEL VEHICLES. THE DESIGN OF THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT BOOT COULD ALLOW THE BOOT TO GET ENTANGLED IN THE UNIVERSAL JOINT.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO REMOVE THE UNIVERSAL JOINT BOOT PER INSTRUCTIONS. IF AN OWNER CHOOSES, A VOLVO TRUCK DEALER CAN PERFORM THE REMEDY FOR THEM. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2001. 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.
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 AXLE BACK VEHICLES, THE TELESCOPING STEERING SHAFT IN SOME DRIVING SITUATIONS COULD BOTTOM OUT AND SIDE LOAD THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT WHENEVER THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN IS ADJUSTED TO THE LOWER POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RE-DESIGNED STEERING SHAFT, WHICH WILL NOT BOTTOM OUT DURING VEHICLE OPERATION REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN IS POSITIONED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 25, 2002. 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS. THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT MAY SIDE-LOAD THE STEERING GEAR INPUT SHAFT. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN NON-UNIFORM STEERING WHEEL EFFORTS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, ONCE THE STEERING WHEEL TURN IS INITIATED, THE VEHICLE MAY CONTINUE TURNING WITHOUT RETURNING TO THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION WITH DRIVER EFFORT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 19, 2001. 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.
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY CLASS 8 TRUCKS, THE FORWARD AND/OR REAR DRIVE AXLE UPPER AXLE SEAT CAN BREAK ALLOWING THE AXLE TO SHIFT OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE UPPER AXLE SEAT FOR A CERTAIN DATE CODE THAT IS STAMPED ON THE PART, AND THOSE AXLES WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 15, 2002. 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.
ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO PNEUMATIC ANITLOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) VALVE PACKAGES, THE ASSEMBLY BOLTS ON THESE VALVE PACKAGES WERE NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE FASTENERS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 27, 2002. 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS BUILT WITH A STEERABLE AUXILIARY AXLE AND EQUIPPED WITH CERTAIN MERITOR-WABCO BRAKE SYSTEM TWO AND FOUR PORT RELAY VALVES. THE VALVE MAY STICK OPEN WHEN A HIGH-PRESSURE APPLICATION IS RELEASED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE VALVES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 31, 2001. 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 OR MERITOR WABCO AT 800-535-5560.
How other years compare
Check your exact VHD by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Volvo VHD reliable?
NHTSA has 1 owner complaint and 10 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Volvo VHD. The most complained-about area is steering.
Does the 2001 Volvo VHD have open recalls?
10 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.