2005 Volvo VNL: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 6 owner complaints on record; most reports concern steering; the 2003 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo isx st2 heavy truck (na). The contact stated that coolant was leaking onto the ground. Additionally, the coolant compartment was low and had to be refilled several times by the contact. The coolant low warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 622,253. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2017
“Tl* the contact owned a 2005 volvo vnl. While driving approximately 40 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn without warning. As a result, the contact crashed the vehicle into a ditch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the shaft stripped inside the internal steering column. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 721,000. Updated 1/7/15*cn”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo vnl. While driving approximately 65 mph, the front end of the vehicle became extremely light and the steering became difficult to maneuver. The contact crashed into a concrete wall but was not injured. The vehicle was towed to a local auto body shop where the technician advised that the drag link, lug nuts and the bolts on the front passenger and driver side would need replacing. In addition, the passenger side tie rods would also need replacing. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 772,539.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2011
Show 3 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 volvo vnl. The contact stated that the low beam headlamp reflector lens would not illuminate the road surface properly causing extremely poor visibility. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the headlamp assembly would need to be replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 638,000. Updated 03/02/11 *bf updated 12/14/11 *cn”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 volvo vnl. While driving approximately 40 mph he attempted to turn the steering wheel to the left but the vehicle veered to the right. The vehicle was driven onto the emergency lane and shut off. In order to continue driving the vehicle he tightened some of the steering mechanisms himself. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to have the failure diagnosed and it was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 689,970.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 volvo vnl. The contact stated that in warmer weather conditions the engine would stall without any prior warnings. As a consequence his risk for vehicle crash is increased. It would take approximately thirty minutes to restart. The vehicle was taken to a dealer in which the technician did not identify the cause of the failure. 10/26/09. *lj the power steering was inoperative. Updated 10/26/09”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT STEER AXLE AIR SUSPENSION MAY DEVELOP A FRONT WHEEL WOBBLE WHEN THE TIRES BECOME WORN.
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.
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.
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.
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 MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE TIRE SIZE DESIGNATION ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL IS NOT SHOWN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CERTIFICATION LABELS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 12, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO TRUCKS AT 1-800-528-6586.
How other years compare
Check your exact VNL 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 2005 Volvo VNL reliable?
NHTSA has 6 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Volvo VNL. The most complained-about area is steering.
Does the 2005 Volvo VNL have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning wheels. 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.